New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-05-08

taken refuge on houSetOpS, III trees diiu
m RATS and have been for days without
sufficient food and without shelter from
the heavy rains which have fallen up to
to-day.
Lack of boats is hindering the rescue
work in Pointe Coupee parish. and II Is
feared many of the food sufferers VIII
nerish before relief can reach them.
rvervthing that can be steered ana
carry passengers and supplies for even
short distance has been pressed into
sor,.ice Hundreds of primitive f1atboats
that can be towed by motorboats are De-
ing constructed.
Hundreds Still in Peril
Refugees who were taken to Morsanza
IN the relief boats to-day said there were
hundreds more to be rescued The major
,tv Of these lived so far back in the
country that couriers did not reach
them. or. in many instances. II they were
warned. they scoffed at the advice 10
leave.
The levees always have held they
argued. Why should they not hoid
now?'
The levee above Morganza is lined
with residents and their few belongings
waiting to be taken TO concentration
camps.
The work Of capping the Morganza
levee is about completed, and the engi-
neers now believe the dixie will hold Inc
water in Morganza from the Torras
break has spread over the entire TOWN.
A new weak place was discovered To-
night in the Lakeland levee, five miles
from New Roads. and gang OF con-
victs and nearly two hundred negro
refugees were rushed there TO work,
under the direction of United states
engineers. Many New Roads citizens
also left to assist in the work. This
levee is on the west side.
Caravans of cattle are being driven
toward Port Allen out Of the flooded
territory around Morganza. Railroads
have posted notices that no more live
stock will be transported free, as 1t has
been discovered that spectators. taking
advantage Of the farmers necessities,
have been buying UP cattle at ridiculous
ly low prices and securing free transpor-
tation to the markets.
Cattle Thieves Active.
Cattle thieves are active and many
farmers have lost their stock owing TO
their inability to guard them. Some OF
the cattle have been drowned. while
many discouraged owners have aban-
doned their stock. declaring II might as
we'll be drowned as stolen from them on
the way 20 the hills.
White people have appealed to the
railroads not to carry away any more
negro refugees. . the promise OF free
food at the concentration camps attracts
them and not enough laborers are left
10 man the levees.
Citizens Of Opelousas are indignant
over the increasing number of men.
mostly negroes who are flccking there
from the ovcriiowed country and asking
for aid. A movement has been started
10 compel them to choose between re-
turning to their homes and assisting the
citizens of those places who are engaged
in a fight against the floods or quitting
Opelousas.
More than two hundred men. women
and children arrived in Opelousas last
night from the Atchafalaya country.
Most of the men accepted offers or en-
ployment, and were sent TO the northern
part of the ST. Landry parish 10 work on
the levccs in the Bayou Boeun Sec.
Situation at New Orleans
When the official river gauge at the
head Of Canal street registered BIB feet
four-tenths since Z a. m, United States
weather officials were of the opinion that
the Mississippi had started on its hnal
lap toward the predicted crest of 2l.o
feet, which would mark the passing OF
the greatest food recorded in the Mis-
sissippi Valley in which all stage and
duration records have been smashed.
Clear weather and sunshine were re-
ported to-day at all points from the
Torras crevasse south to the mouth OF
the river, and the most encouraging re-
ports since the present flood began have
been received from all those points up
and down the river. where the embank-
meDlS were tnOuSHl W nc "eah'
Work on the levees has practically
been abandoned here In the vicinity or
the American Sugar Refinery. The hot
sun to-day baked the repair work done
during the last three days. and the engi-
neers are once more cheerful. many of
them believing the worst has passed.
The levees have been inspected and pro-
nounced in good condition. The work OF
strengthening the levees on the Algiers
side has about been completed and the
experts believe more than 22foot stage
can be held back.
Baton Rouge, La. May Though
rescuers working in the territory mum
dated by the waters from the Torras
devasse succeeded In removing two
thousand persons to safety. the food In
this section took it's first white human
Toll to-day. The victims were the wife
and two daughters of a farmer, whose
hastily improyised raft went TO pieces
On Bayou Latnache Fourteen negroes
were drowned Tonight, when boat was
overturned near Lettsworth
vi the two thousand rescued by gov
ernnent workers. eight hundred were
removed from Melville over the Texas &;
racine Railroad, TO Bunkie; four hum
oted we're brought here; five hundred
weic taken 10 Port Hudson. and about
uiee hundred to Bachelor.