APPALLING AMERICAN DISASTER

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 33, 2 May 1927, Page 9

APPALLING AMERICAN DISASTER

MISSISSIPPI FLOOD By Cable.—Press Association.—Copyright NEW ORLEANS, Saturday. The floods in the Mississippi Valley, tragic enough up to the present, have now assumed the proportions of an appalling disaster. Four more serious breaks in the embankment of the river have increased the gravity of the situation. The sea-wall has been broken through at Vicksburg, which is the chief refugee centre in the Mississippi district. The flood waters are rapidly inundating the industrial section of that city. The residential area is safe, however, as it stands on a high bluff. Railway traffic to the north has been cut off, and the relief operations from this centre are endangered, as most of the supplies came from the north. Trains conveying hundreds of refugees to Vicksburg from the inundated regions must now remain on the out(.3 of the city. A diver attempted to check the flow of water through the hole in the seawall, at the risk of his life, but without success. The embankment of the Arkansas River gave way at South Bend. The effect was to heighten the water in a territory which was already inundated, and to flood fresh land. The waters are now pouring in through the break, and are rising in several towns within a radius of 25 miles at a rate of six inches an hour. It is feared that the whole of the south-east section of the State will be submerged. The death-roll in Arkansas has now reached a total of 119. Two breaks have also occurred in the protection dykes at Yazoo, Mississippi, cutting oc communication with the refugee camp in the vicinity, where 4,500 are concentrated. The water is rising rapidly in the streets of Yazoo. It is now reported that the dynamiting of the embankment of the Mississippi was successful. The breaches made are widening but the engineers may make further breaks if necessary. The roar of the water rushing through the breach can be heard two miles away. St. Bernard, formerly occupied by the Acadians, is now under eight feet of water, which has reached the second floor in most of the houses. Many of the latter toppled over before the rush of the swift current. FRANTIC SETTLERS Many of the settlers who refused to leave when they were warned to do so are now making piteous and frantic attempts to escape. Rescue boats are standing by in order to render every possible assistance. The Governors of Louisiana, Mississippi, and Tennessee have jointly appealed to the President, Mr. Calvin Coolidge, to visit the flooded regions. They claim that it is impossible for him to realise the extent of the disaster in any other way. It is intimated from White House, however, that Mr. Coolidge is not likely to respond to this appeal at present. It is estimated that 300,000 people are homeless, and 350 are known to be dead. There are also numerous others missing. More than 10,000 square mites of land are flooded, and this area will be greatly increased. The Red Cross authorities announce that 147,000 persons have already been relieved. A sum of £BOO,OOO has already been contributed to the Red Cross, and it is indicated that when a total of £1,000,000 has been received the President, Mr. Calvin Coolidge, will issue another appeal, probably for a further £1,000,000. The proprietors of cinema theatres in the United States and Canada announce that they will give benefit screenings for the sufferers by the floods on May 7. APPEAL TO CONGRESS Senator Robinson, of Arkansas, telegraphed to Mr. Coolidge requesting him to call a special session of Congress to deal with the situation, but the President announced that the immediate need for relief was so great that voluntary contributions must be depended upon. Congress would deal with the restoration work later. A special commission is to be appointed to study the flood problem in the Mississippi Valley, in the control of which the Federal Government, since 1876, has spent £37,600,000. It is expected that Congress will pass legislation to embody a flood control programme in connection with power development on the Mississippi and irrigation projects, and that it will also increase the navigation facilities.—A. and N.Z.