The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1891-04-24
ROME SHAKEN UP.
Terrible Powder Explosion in the
Eternal City.
INHABITANTS TERROR STRICKEN.

rfany wcrc Thrown from Their
Beds by the Force of the ExpIo-
sion, and Thought IL an Earth
quaIre-Five Killed andOver Hun
trcd wouncd.
ROME, April 24.-Yestcrday morning
tho inhabitants of Rome were terribly
startled by a tremendous explosion
which shook the city to its center.
Eouees rocked and trenbled as though
smitten with an ague, while the glass
from thousands Of broken windows was
hurled through tho air and fell in dam
gerous showers to the streets. The great
ouraio surmounting the parliament
buildings was smashed to pieces and the
surrounding streets strewn with its de-
bris. The doors Of offices and private
residences We're burst open by the ter
riiic ooncussion, and heavy articles OF
furniture were overturned.
Thought IL an Earthquake.
Many Of the people were jerkcd from
their Lcd3 and dashed violently upon
tho hoor of their apartments. Panic
stricken, the bcwildered psople in thous-
nn'ls poured out upon the streets, fear
iug and fully expecting to find the city
In the throes OF great earthquake. Con-
fusion and terror was everywhere for
the time being. Men looked in each
others face only to find reflected there
tbs fear which possessed themselves.
Women, some praying aloud, others
hurrying with their children to find
refuge from an Unknown danger, and
still others weeping, Historically and
Eirlles5ly wringing their hands, were
met at every corner.
Soldiers Narrowly Escape.
1t was soon discovered that the fearful
shock had been caused by the explosion
Of powder magazine at the fort at
Pozzo Pantaleo, four kilometers distant
from Rome. When the city had quieted
down and an investigation was made it
was found that enormous damage had
been dons to the fort, which was filled
with solliers a few moments before the
explosion occurred. Fortunately tho
coinmandant heard the warning rumble
and at once ordered the men to vacate the
builling. This was pronlSsly done and
q terrible disaster was thus avcrted.
The soldiers had barely time to escape.
Few Killed, but Many Wounded.
Five people were killed outright Two
oficeTs dangerously wounded and 100
civilians have thus far been taken to tho
hospitals, Every house within u radius
OF dlometre from the point of the ex-
plosion is more or less damaged.
The slnoclk did not spare the Vatican.
That venarated pile shook with the rest
Iof the Roman buildings, and several of
the famous historical stained glass win
dows of the old buildings were shat
tered. The windows in the ancient
Raphael chambers and the stained glass
ia the royal staircase, presented to Pope
Fius TX by the king of Bavaria, were
seriously injured.
II has been ascertained that $50 tons of
powder was stored in the exploded mag
axine, Forty small houses In the neigh
iborhood of the exploded magazine are
entiroly ruined. Many more are seri-
ouSiy injured.
King Humbert Cheered,
The appearance of the king in the
streets on his way to Pozzo Pantaleo ex-
cited the utmost enthusiasm among the
people who still thronged the thorough
fares, and exerted decided influence in
reassuring the timid. When King Hum
bort was seen returning from the wreck
conveying some of the wounded to the
hospital, in his own carriage, he was
given an ovation all along the line Of
his progress.
1t viii Be Investigated.
=. The authorities are not satisfied that
the terrible explosion at Pozzo Pantaleo
was entirely accidental. A rigid inves-
agation is to be held. Notwithstanding
tho unpopularity of his premier, King
Humbert in this and other instances IS
winning golden opinions by his personal
and active interest in relieving the suf-
terday he did not retire from the scene
until assured that measures were well
in hand for relief. The pope is said to
be deeply stirred over the damage to the
vatican, and to be preparing protest
against the alleged negligence of the
Italian government in storing such a
vast quantity of powder contiguous to
Rntna