The San Francisco call., 1910-01-26
More Than 100000 Homeless
In France and Monetary
Loss Enormous
Rising Seine Is Raging Torrent
and Paris Streets Are
Turbid Rivers
Rain and SIeet Increase the
Anguish of Poor, While
Many Lose Lives

HARIS. Jan. % - Floods have
brought disaster to a large part
of France The Seine, usually
peaceful and quiet, is now rag
ing torrent and rising at the rate of
more than half an inch an hour. Vic
tins Of the flood number more than
100000 and the monetary loss is in
caIculable. Thousands OF poor are
hopelessly ruined.
The general expectation that the
maximum Of the food would be reached
last night has not been realized. The
Seine's tributaries are rising steadily
and the official estimate tonight is that
the Seine viii be at least Is inches
higher this afternoon. River authori-
ties early this morning announced that
the Seine would continue to rise until
Thursday and would exceed the high
record Of 1902. The Lyons railroad
company sent out notification that all
service out of Paris has been sus-
pended.
The government has requisitioned
army and navy material to house the
sufferers. and boats for the rescue of
the stricken as well as those impris-
oned in houses in flood centers on all
sides Of Paris.
Inundation Spreading
The region of inundation is steadily
charging and scores of villages are
completely submerged, the people fee
ing for their lives and abandoning
everything. In many cases soldiers
have been obliged to use force in com
pelling the Inhabitants to leave their
homes. Hundreds refused to go, clam
oring only for food and water.
In Paris the situation is rapidly be-
coming worse. floods sparing neither
the rich nor the poor. The flood is in
vading the compactly built area. under
mining buildings and forcing the evac-
uation Of many houses. All the streets
in one reimbursement are running
rivers
Paris is practically cut of south and
west and, if present conditions con-
tinue. the question of food win become
menacing. The senate today appro-
priated 100000 for national relief. The
public aid fund for this purpose is
swelling. President Fallieres heads
the list with $4,000. The Rothschilds
have given $4,000.
Floods have now broken out in the
south. the rivers Gers, Charente. Adour
and Dordogne having overlowed their
banks. Fierce storms are raging along
the coast, filing the ports with ship
ping in distress
The entire population of Ivry-Sur-
Seine and adjacent places are in des-
perate state. only the tops Of the
houses at Alfortville are visible, the
water avera ging j feet in the streets.
At this place since s o'clock this morn
ing 5000 persons have been rescued by
boats and 10000 others from this sec
tion have found safety by their own
effort
Apache" Pirates Busy
Rescuers had more TO contend with
than the turbulent waters. Groups of
~Apaches" soon were engaged in pi-
racy. They seized several boats and
robbed rescuer and rescued alike. In
some cases they entered houses and
carried on their depredations. Finally
2 force Of soldiers drove off the looters.
There were many cases of drowning
and many aged and sick died as re-
suit Of shock and exposure. Old and in
firm and finding themselves unable TO
leave. a man and a woman hanged
themselves to bedpost.
The hospital at Ivry containing 1000
patients. is surrounded by water AS
there is no means of cooking the food
or Of heating the building the patients
must be removed unless the flood sub
sides. Physicians fear serious results
will follow.
President Fallieres and Premier
BRAND made an automobile trip this
afternoon through the flooded districts
in the eastern section of Paris. They
walked through some streets knee deep
with mud and water and saw the
crowds fleeing. men tugging at valises
and trunks and weeping women bur-
dened with children and household be-
longings.
The president and premier hurried
away 10 seek relief for the suffering
people.
Great Warehouses Doomed
The great bonded warehouses at
Bercy appear to be doomed to destruc-
tiou. involving an immense loss. Mer-
chants are removing what they can.
The Seine at Colonies threatens mo-
mentarily TO mount the parapet and
eood the working class suburb of Gen.
neviiliers. This place has q population
of 1000.
The military authorities have tele-