The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-04-24
ROME SHAKENBYPOWDER
A MILITARY MAGAZINE BLOWS UP
IN TIE SUBURBS.


seven Persons Killed, Forty eight In
fured Near the Scene of the Explosion
Powder Exploded 265 Tons--The
shock Mistaken for an Earthquake,
and Terrible Panic Caused in Rome.
ROME, April 23.-About o'clock this
morning a tremendous explosion shook this
city to its foundation, spreading terror and
dismay on all sides. People rushed
affrighted from their homes into the streets.
Houses were wrecked, pictures fell from
walls, thousands of panes of glass were
broken, crockery was shattered, furniture
overturned, chimneys crashed down
upon roofs and, in some instances,
The cupola of the houses Of parliament i'm
medately after the explosion shook vio-
leutly and then collapsed with a crash
which added still further to the feeling of
horror which has spread through Rome.
The scenes in the streets and houses after
this explosion have possibly never before
been equaled in dramatic effect during the
history VI LllOAOl II IhOlAlCs AL bh6 buOiO
fares were filed with brick, stone, splint- rs
aud other debris hurled there by the force
of the powerful conclusion, which had
caused Rome to totter to its foundations.
RUSH OF THE PEOPLE.
People of all ages and conditions were
rushing, pale with fear, about the streets,
trying to seek consolation from others who
we're as thoroughly terrified as themselves.
In houses, doors, windows and cupboards
burst open, and tables, chairs, and other
pieces Of furniture were thrown crashing to
the floor. Rents and cracks appeared in the
walls, plaster fell from ceilings and general
desOlatiOn prevailed. lu many instances
people were jerked from their bsds by the
shock, which caused 50 much alarm, and
cries of terror filed the air as thousands
Of families rushed out into the streets.
Many left their homes in their night dresses
s1d In other states Of undress. Parents
with their children in their arms, children
lading aged parents, the younger helping
The elder, all made for the streets as if their
only chance of safety depended upon their
Icing able to reach the open air.
CAUSE OF THE DISASTER.
The general opinion that prevailed was
that Rome had been visited by an earth
quake shock, and that second one might
reduce the city to ruins. Many fell upon
their knees and prayed aloud. Finally when
something like order had been restored the
real cause of the explosion became known.
Il was discovered that the immense powder
magazine and Pozzo PanteleO, four kilo-
me, ers from here, had exploded, and that
it had caused enormous damage to the
neighboring fort, which was filed with SOL
diers The reports of the affair
which have reached here add
that, happily, the officer in command of the
fort heard rumbliug sound previous to the
final explosion. and hastily ordering the
soldiers to leave the fort he succeeded in
sverting a terrible disaster. AS it was,
several peasants in the vicinity of the scene
Of the explosion were killed outright, and q
number Of Others were more or less injured.
THE KING GOES TO THE SCENE.
As this dispatch is sent, King Humbert
and his military staff, accompanied by the
Italian premier, Marquis di Rudini, and by
aIl the members of the Italian cabinet
have left this city for the scene of the dis
sSter. Around the ruins of the powder
magazine and of the fort a Gordon of troops
has been drawn in order to
keep back the crowds of people who, now
that the cause of the explosion is known,
have tlocked to Pozzo Panteleo eager to see
the powder blackened ruins. The troops
however, have instructions not to allow any
SlF1Alauo W pass buo COTQOu uuIll
the official investigation now being made
into the origin of the explosion has been
completed.
HOUSES IN THE VICINITY WRECKED.
All houses within a radius of a kilometer
Of the scene of the explosion were seriously
damaged. Two officers were dangerously
wounded, and fully 100 civilians have been
taken to the different hospitals suffering
from wounds or bruises caused by the ex-
ploslon, King Humbert, who was heartily
cheered whenever his presence became
known to the people and soldiery, used his
own carriage to convey the wounded people
to the hospital, a fact which won him re-
doubled applause when it became generally
known. The races, which included the
Italian derby, which were to have been run
tnls afternoon we're postponed on account
OF the explosion.
THE VATICAN SHAKEN.
The shock which caused Rome to tremble
old not spare the vatican. That venerated
pie shook with the rest Of the Roman
buildings when the force of the explosion
was felt, aud several famous historical
stained glass windows of the old building
were shattered. The windows in the
ancient Raphael oumberS and the stained
glass in the royal staircase, presented to
rope Plus TX. by the King of Bavaria, were
W. AOuoly luJuISu, buc AuAl
amount Of the damage done is not known
at present and possibly may never be
hnown, but all accounts agree that the loss
Is severe. The interiors of many old pal
aces and churches have suffered to greater
or lesser extent.
another report says that five people have
Oeen Killed in addition to the large number
wounded already mentioned.
Forty small houses have besn reduced to
neaps Of ruins by the shock following the ex-
ploslon. The magazine contained 250 tons
oI powder. The cause of the explosion is a
mystery.
SEVEN LIVES LOST.
ROME, April %, 2:39 p. Mt is now
earned that seven lives we're lost, forty
eignt persons were injured near the maya
Sine' and 200 persons in this city were
snghtly hurt There were PCS tons of pow
uer IN the magazine, but none OF the new
ff41poslVe, ralestite, was'stored there. King
tIuHoert received an ovation on visiting the
ttospltal where the injured were being cared
wi, humors that the explosion was of
TTIarcnlst ma origin are without foundation.
Iue Official report says that inquiries made
" the spot tend to show that the explosion
was purely accidental.
French Socialists Split.
FARIs, April 23.-A split has occurred
SS!,lohg the socialist sections here, caused by
SSIsputes over the manner in which the May