Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1910-01-29
Highest Point 81 Feet 7
Inches, Record for
All Time.
SITUATION AT WORST
American Red Cross Appeals for
Aid for the French
Sufferers.

Paris, Jan. 29.-The waters of the
Seine. after having reached an un-
precendented height and caused great
destruction, began to recede today.
The great flood was reached last mid
night and at this morning began to
fall, receding at the rate of one inch
in three hours. The weather has
cleared and the sun is shining bright
ly.
High Mark 81 feet Inches.
The river Marne has dropped inch
es and the Yonne Is from the maxi
mum flood The subsidence in the
Seine is now nearly an inch an hour.
The high mark reached by the Seine
at Pont Royal was 81 feet inches,
inches above the food of 1918.
Situation Worse.
Despite the fact that the waters are
subsiding, the situation within the city
is not improving today On the con-
trary, the surface water further in
vaded the streets, while pressure from
the choking torrents underground
opened new crevices in some places
and at other points forced up the pave
ments into great obstructing hum
mocks.
Streets Raging Torrents.
Floods on the surface, joined with
water released from the subways. have
turned several of the most noted boul-
evards into veritable rivers, which
sweep all before thems invade base
mentsy. undermine foundations -untis
ter temporary protecting Nails1s AFhere
have been a dozen instances where
persons disappeared in crevices sud-
denly opened under their feet or have
been swept away in a sewer flood.
Troops Guard.
Cordons OF troops surround endan-
gered sections and f1remen and sappers
are engaged In constructing dams to
turn or halt the floods. Much appre-
hension is felt regarding the effect
upon the weakened foundations Of
streets and houses when the water
pressure Is withdrawn.
sailor Crazed by Strain.
One sailor who had engaged in the
work of rescue until he reached the
limit Of physical and mental endur-
ance, became crazed and jumped into
the Seine and was drowned. Two hun
dred additional canvas boats with
crews arrived at points above and be-
low the city this morning. They have
undertaken to aid the residents of the
suburbs.
Warned Not to Pay.
The government has requisitioned
every boat obtainable and posted no
tees everywhere warning flood suffer
ers not to pay boatmen anything for
their services Many private individ-
uals. including the Rothschilds, have
placed their automobiles and carriages
at the disposal of the authorities.
Americans Are Safe.
Washington, Jan. 29.-Answerfng in
quiries, Ambassador Bacon telegraphs
the state department all Americans in
Paris are safe. Many of them, how
ever. were compelled to vacate their
homes because of the food.
Massachusetts Sends $4,000.
Boston, Jan. 29.-The people of
Massachusetts today sent a prelimin-
ary contribution of $50, 900 to the Paris
flood sufferers.
Br1t19h Rulers contribute.
London. Jan 29.-King Edward and
Queen Alexandra today each contrib
nted S., 900 to the mansion house fund
for the relief of the flood sufferers Of
France. The fund now amounts to
$25, 900.
Red Cross Issues Appeal
Washington, Jan. 29.-The American
Red Cross society having been noti- !
fed by Robert Bacon, American am
bassador in Paris, that contributions
from this country to aid the flood suf- |
ferers in France would be acceptable, |
last night issued the following appeal |
to the American public:
''The American Red Cross has re-
ceived cable advices from the United |
States ambassador in France that the |
government of that country will deep |
ly appreciate contributions from Amer
lea for the assistance of those suffer /
ing from the terrible flood now devas-
ince.
Pursuant to this information, the
Red Cross hereby appeals to the people
OF the United States to contribute with
their Characteristic generosity to the 4
relief of our neighbors whose misfor
tune calls for our substantial sympa-
thy, sympathy deeper because of the
traditional friendship between the peo-
pie of France and this country. Con-
tributions for this purpose sent to