The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1910-01-30
Lack of Food and COmmuni-
cation With Outside Make
Situation Critical.
SOUP DISTRIBUTION
FREE TO HOMELESS
Despite Five-InCh Fall, Seine Still
a Raging TOTTent-AmeTi-
cans Praised.

EARAS- Jan 5L-AlLer seven Gays OF
terrible food. Paris awoke today 70
find that the Seine was rapidly su0sid-
ing and that the danger OF any further
calamity from the water was practically
al an end
In spite Of the fan Of the food the
situation throughout the city continues
critical Entire blocks and bouIevards
havas been undermined and appear on
the point OF topping through the mar
row crust of earth that supports it.
The situation is further complicated
by the lack Of food and the isolation OF
the city from the rest OF Europe TeIe-
phone communication with London.
which had heen cut on for nearly twen-
ty-four hours was restored today. bur
the telegraph ines are almost hopeless
ly tied W VITA official messages.
Soup Distributed Free.
The high price OF food has uecessitat-
ed the establishment Of camps and re-
lief stations for the free distribution Of
soup. and In the Inundated villages on
the outskirts OF the city proper clothing
IS being Distributed 90 the poor
An official statement issued early this
morning states that the Seine feu 81
inches during yesterday. yet so great
is the volume OF water now pouring
down that usualI, sluggish stream that
in many streets. lotabIy the Rue Bona
parte and the Rue Jacob. the torrent is
still advancing and continues 10 roar
into the underground railways with
apparently u1diui1isbed force.
At the present rate, Il viii take the
Seine three weeks 10 get back 20 It's
normal level, which means that for that
length Of time the great c0nduIts and
sewers Of the city viii be permeated
with sta aEnant water The medical au-
thoriUes are urging the government 20
pump out every possible subway and 70
disinfect the flooded regions There is
work on this line for every one Of the
10000 destitute idle now IN the capital
Tt is pointed out that 70 prevent a pos
sibIe epidemic the usual red tape meth
ods Of the government departments viii
have TO be done away with
Louvre Treasures Safe
The subsistence Of the food saves 10
the world the priceless treasures of the
Louvre Pumps were put 10 work this
morning adjoining the Notre Dame
Cathedral and all day water was drawn
from the cells Of the ConcierEerv from
one of which Marc Ant0inerte went to
her death
Nothing could have presented a more
desoIate effect TO the eyes Of Parisians
this morning than the appearance Of the
CITY of Light. The invading floods.
after IuuudatinE the finest quarters, had
left in their wake debris and filth, pol
IutnE the sources Of drinking water,
and spreading the germs Of disease in
The celebrated Champs de EIysee has
become dangerous TO traffic, and the
Place de TOpera- In the very center Of
Paris, is barred TO pedestrians The
ing IN the CarUefoUr de Rome IS n foot
and a half of water. and in the Place
dE HavTe the torrent has burst through
the railway tunnel
Buildings Sinking.
Already throughout the nine square
miles subjected 70 the ravaEes Of the
food buildings show evidence Of sink
ing. and throughout the most populOus
portions Of the city men are polling their
way in boats, while owners Of neighbor-
ing houses. imprisoned in their rooms,
shout for help from upper windows
Business IS at a StaudStiNr and II Is
with the greatest difficulty that supplies
can he transported to those IN need
The artillery and forage wagons are
the Centers Of hungry crowds, and the
prime minister is taking every means
possible to prevent the growth Of food
riots. which are being reported almost
hourly from several portions of the city
In addition TO the stringent meas
ures taken yesterday 10 prevent
traders from pTOfIinS on the misery
Of the poor. notices were posted to
day instruCting the police to prosecute
spectators In potatoes
Americans Praised.
In connection with the s<arceSy OF
food and the suffering engendered by
the eviction Of thousands Of tenants
in the threatened districts, great
praise is being given 10 the American
Chamber Of Commerce, which yester-
day raised $4,000 as q relief fund
All the news Of the devastation
caused by the food so far has come
chiefly from reports Of eye witnesses
All the newspapers this morning
were late In appearing owing TO the
failure Of the Edison circuit From
the same cause there was no per
fOrmanCe of the opera last evening
The food has also had its effect upon
ROstsnd's much postponed play
'Chanticler." which is now delayed
until February g.