The San Francisco call., 1910-01-28

had become much worse at O'Clock
this morning, particularly In the south
and east sections. In the odd Latin
quarter the situation was critical.
DARIS. Jan. H-The waters of
the Seine crept slowly higher
= today, each inch widely extend
ing the area of destruction, desola-
tion and ruin
Although the barometer is rising
rapidly and bright sunshine succeeded
the raging storms, feeling of con-
sternation, bordering on panic, pre-
vailed tonight when the authorities.
who yesterday said the maximum of
the flood would come today, an
nounced that. this would not be
reached until tomorrow morning.
Council Scores Prefect
Official figures of the stage of the
water are difficult to obtain. and the
city council, at stormy session to-
night, charged NJ Lepine. project of
Paris, with concealing the gravity of
the situation The project defended
his attitude by saying that he was
governed by the necessity of not un-
duly alarming the people.
In the meantime what is happen
ing is enough to strike terror to the
hearts of all The crust of the city
seems ready to sink into the flooded
subterranean labyrinth beneath. Every
hour drains are bursting in new local
tiles, causing subsistence OF
streets or bulging them up several
feet. while the overflow Of surface
water from the river is Transforming
the inundated districts into formidable
lakes and the streets into canals,
Big Section Inundated
In the Bercy quarter the water is
six feet deep in the streets and the
entire left bank of the Seine from
above the islands to Auteuil, compris-
ing the law court institute the fash
ionable st. Germain district. the foreign
Office. the chamber of deputies and the
Champs de Mars. is submerged in from
one to ten feet of water. Some depu-
ties left the PaIais Bourbon tonight
in rowboats. others on the backs OF
attendants.
Walls of the Invalides station are
crumbled and that structure and the
wing of the foreign Office opposite are
| in danger of collapse Nevertheless,
Nine Pichon. wife of the foreign min
lister. held her regular reception to-
night. oil lamps and CRATE fires being
employed in the absence of steam heat
and electricity.
Situation Is Desperate
Streets surrounding the ST. Lazare
station have sunk three feet. and the
situation there Is regarded as desper-
ate. II is also feared that the founda-
tions of the two big neighboring de-
partment stores are being undermined.
The overflow OF the broken sewers
into the flooded Easements menaces
the health of the occupants. and the
smell of sewage is already permeatinE
the buildings. notwithstanding this,
the police tonight notified household
ers. especially those OF the wealthisr
class. who are using automobile en-
gines for pumping purposes, that they
must exercise the greatest care. as the
removal of the water pressure would
likely cause the foundations to sink
or collapse.
Seek to Save Bridges
| Soldiers are working desperately by
the aid of torches to disentagle drift
wood above the Solferino and Henry w
bridges, while large forces of men are
still engaged In constructing dams to
uvert the course of the swiftly moving
currents.
There was a further shutdown OF
electric light plants tonight Relief
work is proceeding bravely. none being
refused food OF shelter. Archbishop
Amietto has ordered public prayers in
the churches and a collection for the
victims.
In spite of the crippled water supply
the authorities say that the reservoirs
are intact and that there is no danger
of famine if the water is husbsnded
| carefully and confined strictly TO drink
ing purposes. AT the same time warn
ing is again issued that the water
should be boiled
The situation below Paris is becom-