New-York tribune., 1910-01-28

ranean labyrinth beneath. Every hour
drains are bursting in new localities.
causing a subsistence of the streets. or
hulging them up several feet above their
normal level. while the overflow of sur
face water from the river is transform
ing the inundated districts into formida-
bic lakes and the streets into canals.
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, comprising the Law
Court Institute, the fashionable ST. Ger
main district, the Foreign Office, the
Chamber Of Deputies and the Champs
de-Mars, is submerged under from one
10 ten feet OF water. Some of the Depu-
ties left the Palais Bourbon tonight in
rowboats, others on the backs Of at
tendants.
AT RAILROAD STATIONS.
The walls of the Invalides station are
crumb!ing, and both that structure and
the wing of the Foreign Office opposite
are in danger of collapse
Nevertheless. Nine. Pichon, wife of
the Foreign Minister held her regular
reception this evening, oil lamps and
CRATE fires being employed in the alb
sence of steam heat and electricity.
The streets surrounding the St Lazare
station have sunk three feet, and the
situation there is regarded as desperate.
II is also feared that the foundations Of
The two big neighboring department
stores are being undermined
The overflow Of the broken sewers into
the flooded easements menaces the
health Of the occupants, and tie smell of
sewage is already permeating the build
ings, but Notwithstanding this the DO
lice tonight notified householders, espe-
cially those Of the wealthier class who
are using automobile engines for pump
Ing purposes. that they must exercise
the greatest care, as the removal of the
water pressure would likely cause the
foundations TO sink or collapse
Soldiers are working desperately, by
the aid of torches, disentangling drift
wood above the Solferino and Henri w
bridges, while large forces of men are
stin engaged in constructing dams to
divert the course of the swiftly moving
currents.
There was further shutdown of cleo
tric light plants tonight, leaving the
city in erni-darkness. The relief work
IS proceeding bravely, none being re-
fused food or shelter. Archbishop Ami
cite has ordered public prayers in the
churches and a collection taken UP for
the victims
PARIS SILENCED
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 husbanded care
fully and confined strictly to drinking
purposes. At the same time a warning
IS again issued that the water should be
boiled.
The situation below Paris is becoming
sppreciably worse. The stretch of water
which engulfs Boulogne, NeuiIly.
Puteaux, Sevres, Asnieres, Maisons-
Laffitte, lie Pecq and Poissy is widening
rapidly, while further below the swollen
oise is pouring in new torrents over the
Pontoise section.
owing to defective communication
with the provinces few dispatches have
been received here but these report =
general Improvement The weather
everywhere throughout France ma
arneliorated. and it is believed that the
worst Of the floods is past.
The boulevard life OF the gay Parisia n
has been suddenly silenced Most of the
music halls remain open, but they are
deserted A hushed multitude sits IN
front Of the boulevard cafes
At 2 special meeting tonight the
Board Of Health drew-up instructions
for the prevention of an epidemic. In
addition TO the usual precautions with
regard TO water. vegetables and fruits.
the board especially insists that none of
the flooded houses must be reoccupied
until they have been thoroughly disin-
fected by the use of chloride of lime and
other powerful agents, the walls scraped
and the bedding and clothing which have
been contaminated by flood water burned.
The board announced that there wer.
100000 cubic metres in the reservoirs.
enough for several days, and therefore
there was little fear OF a water famine
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