The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1910-01-31
PARIS FLOOD
CONTINUED From Page one,


alone roughly estimated at $500, 900.
900. with the probability that future
losses resulting from its undermining
OF the city will add at least another
/ $50 900 900.
From I o'clock this morning to 10,
the Seine receded three inches. and
all conditions point to a continuation
ol the subsistence.
Thousands OF destitute crowd the
limprovised refugees. They are sick
and half famished and the resources
OF the city are so badly crippled that
the authorities are making slow work
in relieving their intense suffering.
Other thousands are still fiocking
to the city and the problem of the flu
ture care OF these unfortunates is one
that will tax the government for
months 20 come.
The calamity is so great that II is
too big Cor Paris 20 deal with alone
and relief measures and the work CT
restoring the city will be the govern
ment's task.
Will Take Years To Repair.
The worst Is over but II will be a
month before the city has restored its
/ lines OF traffic, six months before its
/ sewers and subways are repaired and
its broken streets niended, year be-
fore the poor recover even partially
/ fl ON the blow, and many years befora
the financial blight is forgotten.
1 All. estimates OF damage are for loss
already sustained. What the report
lOf the engineers. who. under the gov
ernment's supervision. are to exam
inc the buildings I'm the II square
miles OF Hooded territory, may show.
( is predetermined.
The undermining OF the city may
I prove to be so serious as TO mean the
practical rebuilding of the devastated
sections. This would entail a loss OF
millions and make the catastrophe as
great as though an earthquake or
tidal wave had swept the city.
Paris is practically under martial
/ law. Soldiers invade every section
and wherever danger is considered
/ imminent. cavalry men or foot soldiers
are on guard to hold back the curious
people In time OF war the scene
could be scarcely more martial.
Starving People Loot Shops.
Starving flood refugees are footing
many OF the provision shops. Driven
almost insane from hunger they arc
defying the police and even the
soldiers and smashing the windows of
shops where provisions are displayed.
The authorities have given orders
10 arrest but not 20 handle with un-
necessary roughness the unfortunates
who are thus defying the law.
Unless the food situation is reliev'
ed immediately-and there is no pros
pect of such relief-bread riots are
imminent.
The Gripping OF the gas and electric
lighting plants OF the city has created
on Unprecedented usmand for petrol
cum and the dealers~have advanced
the price OF oil TO 20 cents a gallon.
This precludes the possibility OF any
but the rich enjoying this new luxury
and most OF the homes Of the poor are
In darkness.
The Place de rOpera clear to No.
q Boulevard Capucines. Is in danger
Of collapse. The beautiful trees and
decorative lamp posts in this section
are all endangered.
Reports from Cnerbourg today say
that the lower section Of the city mas
been submerged by two feet OF water,
which is backing into the city from
the canal
Half the city last night was in dark
ness. Misery and destruction were
everywhere, a heavy rain was falling,
every few minutes recorded some new
Iavage, and hope OF ultimate relief
was all hut gone.
When the Parisians awoke today,
It was to hear the roar OF traffic In the
streets. the news that the Seine had
teen checked, TO see the long-hoped-
for sunshine and to feel instinctively
that the city's salvation had come at
the last moment.
The reflex In the attitude and man
ner OF the people was Immediately
in evidence and despite the colossal
damage that has been wrought, the
city began to assume somewhat OF It's
wonted gaiety. The stores. which
we're yesterday deserted, were re-
opened today.
>inister Mille-and, of the depart
ment OF public works, announced to-
day that the government will begin
an immediate Official investigation OF
every house in Paris, private and pub
lie, to determine its safety for occu-
pancy. Every house that is found TO
be seriously impaired will be ordered
vacated
The condemnation of hundreds OF