New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-05-06

New Orleans, May 5.--Large sections
Of fifteen Louisiana parishes west Of the
Mississippi River are under water; four
other parishes have some food water
and are bound to get more this week;
approximately 100000 persons in that
territory have been driven from their
homes; trains are taking out hundreds
Of families daily; fleets Of motor boats
and skiffs are being used 10 rescue ma
rooned residents; about a dozen lives all
told have been sacrificed: rations 70 the
value OF several hundred thousand dol
lars have been distributed among the
refugees. sheltered in all manner Of
houses. from cabins to churches and
lodge buildings. Every day brings stories
of suffering in new sections inundated.
Protection of the remaining levees
along the Mississippi River from the
mouth of the Red River south is, how
ever causing deepest concern. Property
valued at millions of dollars is at stake
and thousands Of lives would be in
jeopardy If some of the biggest of the
levees should give way.
Army at Work on leVees.
Federal engineers, state and parish Of
ficials and an army of men scattered
along the river from a point sixty miles
below New Orleans 10 the Red River are
bending every energy 10 conquer the
task assigned them.
Reports to-day were more reassuring
than on Yesterday and state engineers
declared they have faith in their ability
10 hold every remaining levee on the
Mississippi. But the danger is not
past Lack of labor, due largely TO the
uncoucern OF negroes who have been
drawing government rations. has been
the most serious drawback. Stringent
tactics have been forced on the officials
and planters. however, and to-day Gov
ernor Sanders ordered the Louisiana
militia to round up 500 negroes and
make them work on the levees, at the
point of rifles. If necessary.
There is alarm among some Of the
residents of New Orleans, though the
daily statements Of the city officials and
levee board engineers are reassuring.
Extreme precautions have been taken
to meet any emergency, and at points
all along the river barges and flat cars
are loaded, with timber. sand sacks,
wheelbarrows, shovels and other ma
terial necessary.
In the third district" of New Orleans
the situation is still grave, and a thou
sand laborers worked all day long to-day
filling I'm dirt between the levees and the
revelments. The water is over the dock
at Esplanade street and the rear of the
Southern Pacific transfer station is
eighteen inches deep In water.
Armed Guards on Patrol.
Work continued tonight and armed
guards patrolled the levees at all weak
points in the city.
Water from the break at Torras
reached Morganza tonight. but nearly
all of the women and children had been
removed to places Of safety. No break
in the Morganza levee is feared. Weak
places have been repaired and watchmen
are alert
A heavy rain, extending over the
southern portion Of the state, began
shortly after 3 o'clock this afternoon,
and the outlook was regarded as any
thing but encouraging by the engineers,
who are making the fight against stages
that already have eclipsed former flood
records by as much as two feet at places.
The river at New orleans at noon was
~ I feet, a rise Of two-tenths OF foot
within twelve hours. Rises of one-tenth
foot are reported from Donaldsonville.
Baton Rouge, Natchez and Nicksburg al
a. m. A southerly wind aided the rise.
A complete inspection of the levees was
made to-day by the engineers and city
officials, and all gaps in protection levees
hack from the river will be closed against
the possibility of breaks between here
and Baton Rouge. The main line levees
were reported in good condition.
The following telegram, received py
United States engineers here this after
noon, says:
Melville, La, May g.
CONTINUED rise I'm river, incessant rains
and scarcity Of labor render situation here
Extremely grave. Persons affected by any
breaks that might occur In the AtchsfaaA$N