The Washington herald., 1910-01-31

Paris. Jan 30-CentraI Paris to-day had
the appearance rather OF celebrating q
joyous national holiday than OF mourn
ing an IncaIculable disaster. Brilliant
weather, added to reports OF a consistent
recession Of the floods. excited the spirits
Of the Parisians 70 q high pitch Of gay
ETY..
Everybody was outdoors. Scores Of
thousands swarmed jubilanty on the quay
sides, suggesting gigantic gathering Of
tourists. The crush OF wheeled traffic
was tremendous. Every cab and other
vehicle that could be hired seemed TO be
in the streets. together with a large num-
Der Of private automobiles
The riverside was every ones goal and
every evidence Of the subsistence Of the
water was eagerly scanned and discussed.
The troops were considerably taxed 70 re-
strain the eagerness Of the crowds. which.
moving from place to place, often found
progress difficult but for the military
.cordons. Three Of the closed bridges were
reopened. and none seems 10 have suf-
fered in stability.
The YOnne l. Rising.
II the decline continues as II has to-
day, all VIII be well. but there are likely
to be fluctuations. For instance. while the
Marue and Seine have fallen greatly. the
Yonne has risen slightly to-day. Al
though Il has not yet affected Paris. a
rise is 10 be expected If a thaw comes
suddenly and melts the snow IN the
Beaune highlands.
Meanwhile. conditions IN the city have
not yet greatly improved There have
been sudden 6isappearances Of the water
( IN some directions and new encroach-
meuts in others. The underground rail-
way station 81 the square du Temple
was suddenly almost swamped to-day.
the water reaching a depth Of nearly
tweuty-four feet.
/ The central markets. too. were invaded
to-day, and a quantity OF provisions were
damaged. The basement OF the Louvre
Z department store suffered similarly. The
depth Of the water in the Place de
|TOpera increased, and ominous cracks
i are visible in the immediate neighbor-
( hood Of the opera house. On the other
hand, the lake in front Of the St Lazare
station IS diminishing. and the Faubourg
street entrance is getting dry.
/ It is hardly necessary TO say that IN
! derground Paris is still full Of water
4 Here and there a cellar has been emptied.
/ but this is not general. The misery OF
/ the refugees and householders generally
/ is not mitigated. and the gravity Of the
situation is not relieved.
S2S3.OOO Is Received.
( The total amount thus far received for
/ the national flood relief fund is S2S3,0
/ The Red Cross Society. which IS estab-
I fishing refugee and soup kitchens all over
/ the city. is giving the most useful help
Many of Is members belong to the high
/ est French society.
/ Several titled ladies visited the central
markets and received an ovation from
the tradesmen, dealers, and porters, all
of whom showed themselves most gener-
( Gus in putting at the disposal Of the Red
/ Cross a quantity of foodstuffs.
Among many Parisians there is anxiety
as TO future events, although no further
inundatiOn is feared II VIII probably be
the best part OF a year before the roads
and buildings are put tn their previous
condition, which means that the govern
ment has a heavy task before it. and
France very easily becomes dissatisfied
with its government.
Should there be delay in the reorgan-
ization of the city and this is almost
inevitable there VIII be discomfort every
where, which may perhaps foment. Then
/ it is feared that the sword Of Damocles,
Which France is always on the alert for.
/ viz. the Orleanists, may seize the oppor-
tunity to stir up strife and revolution
/ Although this anxiety may seem absurd
TO any one not understanding the intri-
/ cacies Of French politics, it IS far from
/ unreasonable.
MOnarchists Are Active.
/ It is well known that certain Orleanists
! are always on the watch for the moment
when their scheme 10 reinstate the mon
archy can be fuTthered, and within the
next few months may be a favorable
/ time. II is pointed out that, although
the miners who suffered through the
I Courrieros disaster received the greatest
help, they went on strike soon after,
which strike. it is said. was due to roy
alist influences.
! 1t is suggested that the Partisan popu-
] lace is equally innammable and with
trade at a standstin, traffic in the great
! est confusion, communication impeded,
/ and, perhaps, an epidemic raging, they
will be in state of mind to listen 10
/ insidious suggestions from the Orleanists.
At present everybody is most enthusi-
astic about all the government arrange
ments and the personal efforts OF the
chiefs OF the government 10 alleviate
the suffering. Prefect Of Police Lepine
is more than ever the idol Of the country.
His every appearance Is greeted with
cheers. Il IS said there is a movement
on foot to arrange some sort OF national
| presentation to him.