The Sentinel=record., 1912-04-14

of Mrs. Joseph Letter, it is Tumofeu that she Is to marry the famous and mueh-sought.afte aid to two presi' dents-Major Butt.
 isiana, who arrived here today aboard a special train from New Orleans, sent the following dispatch to Presi- dent Taft this afternoon:
 "vicksburg, April IS. 1912. President Taft, White House.
 Disastrous breaks occurred yester- day in the levee south of Arkansas City, Ark, and also about II miles south of Lake Providence, Va. These breaks will affect the greater DOT tions of Desha and Chicot counties, Arkansas; East Carroll, Madison, Ten sas and Concordia parishes, Louisi- ana, and also SIX other parishes in The Tensas basin ievee district of Louisiana.
 The population of this flooded dis trict is considerably over a hundred thousand, more than three-fourths of whom are negroes who will be penni- less and suffering within a short time unless relief is given. The white peo pie will do everything in their power but owing to the stoppage of trains and limited means with their heavy losses in live stock, grain and feed they will be unable to give the neces. sary assistance.
 "President Mcclellan of the Fifth Louisiana levee district wired the secretary of war this morning, asking for immediate aid for 10000 or 25,00O people. I confirm this telegram. al though l think that this estimate is too small. In my judgment there will ! be 30,000 who must have food or shelter and who will suffer within a few days
 "So far l have not heard of any loss of fife. believe that 1t is ifi- perative that the war department have a representative and base of sup plies in this city to act promptly dis tributing food and relief l under stand that the representative at Mem phis has been wired to and doubtless he will act promptly but that city is too far off for quick action.
 Sincerely hoping you will do ev- erythmg possible,
 JOS. RANSDEIL." Congressman Ransdell also address ed telegram to Senator Foster at Washingtin, as dean of the Louisiana delegation To Senator Foster he said.
 Have just wired President Taft, describing the situation of the ere vase below Arkansas City and also at Alsatia, East Carroll parish, La. After a conference with President Mcclellan of the fifth Louisiana levee board, and also a conference with the engineers office in this city. my opin- ion is that the greater portions of all lands ever overflowed in the fifth district and also in Tensas basin dis trfct of our state, and Desha and Chi. cot counties in Arkansas, will be at ! fected from these breaks and no one 1 can prophecy what others may occur in the future. There will be great sui fering for food and shelter unless prompt relief is granted by the ma tional government Tents, as well as food. should be furnished, and in my judgment over 30.OO0 people must have relief and urge that a depo' of supplies be established here under an army officer, as intelligence ant discretion are essential. Please ge OUT delegation together and ac promptly. go to Lake Providence tonight. JOS. E. RANSDEEL." '"
 Major J. A. Woodruff of the thir' district engineers office. arrived ol the launch Ouachita today, accompa nied by Captain c. H. West. of tn river commission, and reports tha conditions along the river are dis
  : tressing.