The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-01-28

Pont Notre Dame indicate that the roof
of the subway underneath has collapsed.
The curator of the Louvre Museum said
today that although the basement of the
building had been inundated the statu-
airy hall was six feet above the level
of the water and the sculptures and en-
craving on the first floor were In no
danger at present Immediately oppo-
site, however, there was great danger to
the Institute De France, the home of
the Academic Franchise, which was sur
rounded by the waters as was the Mazar-
in palace, whose valuable art collections
were hurriedly removed to the second
story.
The region in the neighborhood of the
law courts and the prefecture of police
was flooded and chairs and tables were
drifting about. The waters invaded the
court of st. Chapelle, the most glorious
gem of Gothic architecture in France,
and the lower floor Of the historic Con-
ciergerie was flooded
In the midst of new and alarming de-
velopments and shortly before noon a
dismayed crowd that was watching the
water gauge at the Pont Royal noticed
that for 10 minutes the flood remained
stationary and at noon it actually began
to subside. BY 1890 o'clock the waters
had fallen three quarters of an inch
and the watchers shouted for joy. The
glad tidings passed from mouth to mouth
and soon the entire quay was ringing
with cheers. The news spread like wild
fire along the Quays, turning exclama
tons of horror TO shouts of jubilation.
ton.
Working on the Dykes.
The work of building temporary dykes
back of the parapets, which had been
begun at daylight. did not cease for a
4 IL
labored in three feet of water, damming
the openings in the parapets and con-
structing great holding dykes of stone
and cement. Between the Place De La
Concorde and Avenue D'Alexandre where
the water had begun to flow over the
parapet 1000 men were busy erecting
a wall in the middle of the road to keep
the waters out of the Champs Elysee
quarter.
At O'Clock the river had risen two
inches since the subsistence at noon.
The water. was forced back above the
Pont D'Alma and poured into the ,Cours
De La Refine. which is now submerged to
a depth of two feet The residence Of
United States Ambassador Bacon has be-
come untenable and the family has re-
moved to the Mercedes hotel.
The Red Cross society which has re-
ceived substantial check from Ambas-
kitchens for the destitute at a hundred
points This afternoon Mr.. Bacon called
upon Foreign Minister Pichon and in
formally rendered the sympathy of the
American government and people. The
diplomat also asked il financial assist
ance from abroad was desired.
J. p. Morgan has cabled from New
York rendering $4,000 If outside contribu-
lions to the relief fund will be acceptable
Taft Sends Telegram.
Washington, January 27.-Presdent Taft
has sent telegram to President Fal-
Heres of France. expressing the SYM
| pathy Of the American people for the
| flood sufferers. of Paris. and has rendered
| him needed relief through the National
| Red Cross. The state department has
also sent a telegram to Ambassador Ba-
| con, asking whether Red Cross contri-
buttons for the relief of the flood suf-
! ferers In Paris and In the French prov
| inces were needed and would be accept
able to the nation and people. Presi-
dent Tafts telegram to President Fall
+, Heres is as follows:
us there any manner in which. through
/ the National Red Cross or otherwise, APP
/, propriate expression could be made of
| the sympathetic distress with which the
| people and government of the United
States learn of the reported calamity
I that floods are causing in your beautiful
F., and historic capital, as well as in the
| provinces Of France? Meanwhile, I offer
! you the sincerest sympathy and the most
| ardent wishes that the causes of these
disasters may soon abate."
First Call for Aid.