MISSISSIPPI FLOODS

Hokitika Guardian, 6 May 1927, Page 2

MISSISSIPPI FLOODS

[Australia & N.Z. Cable Association.] FLOOD SPREADS. NEW ZEALAND’S SYMPATHY. WELLINGTON, May 4. The Governor-General (Sir Charles Fergusson) lias forwarded the following message to the President of the United States of America through the British Ambassador at Washington:— " On behalf of the Government and people of New Zealand, T desire to express to you our warm and sincere sympathy with those citizens of the United States who have suffered so grievously by the Mississippi floods. AYe earnestly trust that the progress of the flood waters may soon he arrested. and that further damage and loss of life mav he averted.” \ AI ORE LEVEES BROKEN. NEW YORK. May 4. The latest news from New Orleans states that the River Mississippi has broken through two more levees in Northern Louisiana to-day. and that these will release the full force of the waters into a region that is already partially inundated. The river from a point thirty miles north of the Arkansas border, has now become an inland sea. At many points it is fifty miles wide. The water now pours in upon nine

parishes from three directions. Railway traffic is prostrated, and

communication is failing rapidly

Thousands of exiles are scattering over the countryside in a wild dash for high ground, and approximately five thousand square miles of the richest agricultural land in the State of Arkansas is laid waste. One hundred small steamers are now cruising over the area in an endeavour to reach the danger point and remove the isolated inhabitants caught by the suddenness of ' the inrush of the waters.

The Red Cross has announced that the relief subscriptions now total fi.310,000 dolalrs.

Two more Senators have telegraphed to President Coolidge, asking for a special session of Congress to he called to deal with the situation. Senator La Follotto lias pointed out that Congress alone is competent to provide relief funds adequate to cope with the disaster and to provide for proper rehnbilitaton. Air Hoover and Secretary Davis (Labour Minister) . have left AAashfngton to-night for Vicksburg. It is liclievcd that the culmination of the flood, when the crest reaches the immediate vicinity of New Orleans and the low-lying delta region, will probably mark the high point of the damage.

FLOOD WATERS INCREASE. FURTHER ENORAIOUS DAMAGE. (Received this day at. 9.30 a.m.) NEW YORK, May 5. A Now Orleans message says the crest of the Alississippi River flood is moving southward at the rate of fifty miles per day, leaving an increasingly large expanse of inundated territory lti its wake. Water is pouring through the new breaks (as cabled on May 4th), covering the entire northwest portion of tlie State. Although the crest is already past that point, the flood waters there are joining the breakwaters of Arkansas river. Thousands of labourers are working to save the levees along the Old and Red Rivers and Bayou, which already virtually are doomed. Breaks at any of these places would add thirteen parishes to the inundated area, bringing half the State

under water. A fresh break occurred in a levee protecting Rayville and the waters are bowing into the negro section. It is estimated the whole town will he covered before to-morrow.

The fresh inundations, it is expected, will bring the total Hooded area to tne vicinity of eighteen thousand square miles, and swell the number of homeless to over half a million. Meanwhile the authorities are concentrating on receiving 14,000 persons marooned on high ground in Tensas parish, who refused to leave their homes when warned. They will have to be removed in boats. Rescue workers report the greatest difficulty was experienced in persuading the victims, especially negroes, to leave many danger points. These, when ultmately removed. are invariably suffering severely from exposure and hunger.