Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-04-23
LIKE AN EARTHQUAKE
Terrific and Disastrous Powder EX-
plosion Near Rome
FIVE PERSONS KILLED, MANY INJURED.
The Street Railway System Of De-
troit ParaIyzed.
FAvA's CHILLY RECEPTION.
TONS OF POWDER ExrLopEp.

Rome shaken 60 Its Foundations-Iives Lost
Many Persons Injured Buildings Ruined.
ROME, April 2S.-At about O'Clock this
morning q tremendous explosion shook this
city 70 its foundations. spreading terror and
dismay on all sides. The people rushed az
frighted from their homes into the streets;
houses rocked, pictures fell from the walls,
thousands Of panes of glass were broken every
where, crockery was shattered. furniture was
overturned, chimneys crashed down upon the
roofs and In some instances toppled over into
the streets below. The cupola OF the houses OF
parliament Immediately after the explosion
shook violently and then collapsed with q crash,
which added still further 10 the feeling Of
horror which had spread through Rome.
SCENES rHE STREETS.
The scenes in the streets and in the houses
after this explosion have possibly never before
been equaled in dramatic effect during the
history of modern Rome All the thorough
fares were strewn with bricks. stones, splinters
and other debris hurled there by the force Of
The powerful conclusion which had caused
Rome TO totter on its foundations. People Of
all ages and conditions were rushing. pale with
fear, about the streets trying 20 seek console
ton from others who we're ms thoroughly ter
rihed as themselves. In the houses DOORS
windows and cupboards were burst open and
the tables, chairs and other pieces Of furniture
we're thrown crashing 20 the floor. Rents and
cracks appeared In the walls. the plaster fell
from the ceilings and general desolation pre-
vailed.
In many instances people were jerked from
their beds by the shock which caused 80 much
alarm, and cries of terror filed the air az
thousands Of families rushed out into the
streets. Many of them left their homes in
their nlghtdresses and in other states Of un-
dress. Parents with their children in their
arms, children leading aged parents, the
I'LL. al. N -.
streets, as If their only chance of safety de-
pended upon their being able 10 reach the
open air.
AN EARTHQUAKE FEARED.
The general opinion that prevailed was that
Rome had been visited by an earthquake shock
and that a second shock might reduce the city
to ruins. Many fell upon their knees and
prayed aloud Finally, when sonnet thing like
order had been restored, the real cause Of the
explosion became known. Ii discovered
that the immense powder magazine at Pozzo
Pantaleo, four kilometers from here, contain
ing ESQ tons Of powder, exploded. and that 10
had caused enormous damage to the neigh
boring fort which was filled with soldiers. The
reports Of the affair which have reached here
add that, happily, the officer in command Of
the fort heard a rumbling sound previous to
the final explosion and hastily ordering the
soldiers to leave the fort he succeeded In avert
ing terrible disaster.
FIVE PERSONS KILLED.
As ii was five persons who were in the vicinity
of the scene of the explosion were killed out
right and a large number Of others we're more
or less injured.
All the houses within radius Of kilometer
of the scene of the explosion are seriously
damaged. Forty are in ruins. Two officers
were dangerously wounded, and fully 10
civilians have been taken TO the different
hospitals suffering from wounds or bruises
caused by the explosion.
As this dispatch is sent King Humbert and
has military staff, accompanied by the Italian
premier, the Marquis III Rudini, and by all the
members Of the Italian cabinet, have left this
city for the scene Of the disaster.
Around the ruins of the powder magazine
and Of the fort Gordon Of troops has been
drawn In order 10 keep back the crowds of peo-
pie who, now that the cause of the explosion 10
known, have iocked TO Pozzo Pantaleo eager
TO see the powder-blackened ruins. The troops
however. have instructions not to allow any
civilians to pass through the Gordon until the
official investigation now being made into the
origin of the explosion has been completed.
KING HUMBERr on TIE SCENE
King Humbert who was heartily cheered
whenever his presence became known to the
people and soldiery, used his own carriage 70
convey wounded people to the hospital, q fact
which won him redoubled applause when il be-
came generally known. The races, which in
cluded the Italian derby, which were to have
been run this afternoon, have been postponed
on account Of the explosion.
The shock which CAUSED Rome 20 tremble
did not spare the Vatican That venersted
pile shook with the rest VI the Roman buildings
when the force Of the explosion was felt and
several Of the famous historical stained glass
windows Of the old buildings were shattered.
The windows in the ancient Raphael chambers
and the stained glass in the royal staircase
presented to Pope Plus by the King Of Bavaria,
were also seriously injured
Naturally the full amount Of the damage
done Is not known at present, and, possibly,
may never be known, but all accounts agree
that the loss is very severe, the interiors Of
many Of the old palaces and churches having
suffered 10 greater or less extent The exact
number Of killed and wounded ID also un-
known at present