NEW ORLEANS SAVED

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 19829, 2 May 1927, Page 7

NEW ORLEANS SAVED

LEVEE SUCCESSFULLY CUT Mississippi Floods Now a National disaster APPALLING DESTRUCTION Thousands of Refugees Cut Off at Vicksburg ARKANSAS DIKES GIVE WAY By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyrip,’ Received May 1, 5.5 p.m. (A.&N.Z.) NEW YORK, April 30. News from New Orleans states that a hole 1000 feet long was blown in the levee late yesterday, as the last desperate effort to save the city from being overwhelmed by the continually rising waters of the Mississippi. Some 1500 pounds of dynamite were used for the purpose. More than 5000 saddened landholders in the Poydras district have been made homeless by the expedient. They were brought to New Orleans early this morning and were housed in the barracks. It is believed that several hundred so-called Acadiaus, who made their homes expressly in the inundated districts for tho past two centuries, stayed upon their holdings, preferring to face the dangers of the flood rather than leave their properties. Refugees from the valley continue to pour into the concentration centres. The Red Cross agency announces that 147,000 persons have already been cared for, and 4,000,000 dollars have been contributed by the Red Cross. It is indicated that when an expenditure of 5,000,000 dollars has been reached, President Coolidge will issue another appeal, probably for another 5,000,000. Motion picture theatres throughout the United States and Canada have announced that they will give benefit performances for the flood sufferers on May 7. Appeal for Action by Congress. Senator Robinson, of Arkansas, telegraphed President Coolidge requesting that he 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 relied upon, Congress dealing with the restoration work later. A special commission will be appointed to study the flood problem and the Mississippi control, upon which the Federal Government since 1876 has spent 188,000,000 dollars. It is expected that Congress will enact legislation embodying a flood control programme in connection w’ith power developments on the Mississippi, irrigation projects, and the increase of the navigation facilities. The floods, which have already been tragic enough, have now assumed the proportions of an appalling disaster. Four more serious breaks in the levees have increased the gravity of the situation, and the sea wall has broken through at Vicksburg, which has become the chief refugee centre in the Mississippi district. The water is rapidly inundating the industrial section. The city itself is safe, on a high bluff, but all railway traffic northward has been cut off and the entire relief programme from this centre is endangered, as most supplies came from the north. The trains, bringing hundreds of refugees from the inundated regions, must be brought to a standstill outside the State. The city diver attempted to check the flood of water through the hole in the sea wall at the risk of his life, but without success. Further Breaks in Levees Flood Much Country. The Arkansas River levee gave way at South Bend, heigh! g the water in the territory already inundated, and flooding fresh land. Two breaks also occurred in the protection at Yazoo (Mississippi) cutting off communication with the refugee camp nearby, where 4500 persons were concentrated. The water is rising rapidly in tho streets of the city. New Orleans has now reported that the dynamiting of the levee has been successful. The breaches are widening, but the engineers may make further breaks if necessary. The roar of the water rushing through can be heard for two miles. St. Bernard’s parish, formerdy occupied by the Acadians, is now under eight feet of water, which is rushing through the second floor of most of tho houses, many of which toppled over before the swift current. Three Hundred Thousand Homeless. Many of the Acadians who refused to leave when warned are making piteous and frantic attempts to escape, and rescue boats are standing by to render every possible assistance. Livestock left behind can be seen swimming for places of safety, but very few of the latter will shortly be available. The governors of Louisiana, Mississippi and Tennessee have jointly appealed to Mr. Coolidge to personally visit the flood regions, claiming that it is impossible for him to realise the extent of the disaster otherwise, but it is intimated at White House that he is not likely to respond at present. It is estimated that 300,000 are homeless, and 350 arc known to be dead not including a large number missing. Over 10,000 square miles are flooded which will yet be greatly increased. The latest news from New Orleans states that the widening of the breach in the Mississippi levee, blasted on Friday near Violet, resulted in a meagre flow of flood waters. At another section dynamited on Saturday, the waters rushed in upon. St. Bernard and Plaquemine parishes at great speed. The Arkansas river is pouring in through the new break in the dike near South Bend. The flood waters are rising in several towns over a 25-miles radius at the rate of six inches an hour. It is feared that the whole of the south-east section of the State will be submerged. Tho Arkansas death list is now 119.