The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1903-11-03
FIRE AT THE VATICAN
Smoke Appears and Gives
Warning of Danger.
FEARS FELT FOR THE POPE
No Lives Are Lost but Damage
Is Not Known.

Rome Nov. Fire broke out at half
past eight o'clock last evening in that
portion of the Vatican containing the hall
of inscriptions, where the pope gives his
audiences and which is adjacent to the
famous Pinacoteca or gallery of pictures.
The alarm caused much confusion and
excitement in the Vatian Strenuous
efforts were made to control the flames
and the firemen of Rome were called TO
lend their help.
At a quarter past eleven the fire was
under control.
! No lives were lost.
! No idea of the damage can yet be OBJ
tanned
I The pope came to the scene in person,
and remained until the arrangements TO
fight the fire were made.
The fire caused a greater sensation IN
Rome than any other event since the
death of Pope Leo. The safety OF the
pope was the first thought in everyone's
mind but this was soon assured When
the pontiff appeared at the scene he or
dered everyone to help in extinguishing
the flames.
The first intimation Of fire was had
when smoke was seen issuing from the
apartment of NJ. Marie, which is located
above that of Father Ehrle, the librarian,
who lived over the library itself M
| Marie is a celebrated restorer of ancient
manuscripts ard Illuminated books; he Is
at present engaged in copying a work ana
his first reproductions have been selected
for part of the Vatican exhibit at the st.
Louis exposition. The famous Bramante
staircase leads to that part Of the Vati-
can wher the fire broke out
The gendarmes broke nthe doors of NJ.
/ Marle's apartments and found him in a
heavy sleep. 1t is supposed he retired and
forgot TO take proper precautions with his
kitchen fire, which probably blazed up and
ignited some near by draperies.
The fire started and it rapidly assumed
such proportions that the gendarmes. who
were the first on the scene, gave an i'm
mediate general alarm.
| The whole palace awoke to instant life,
The Swiss guards, the papal firemen, gen
darmes, priests and domestics all rushed
hither and in ignorant confusion, asking
what was the MATTER, no one knowing
where or what the danger was, or what
! TO do.
News of the fire was Immediately con-
veyed TO the pope who was found kneel-
/ ing in his chapel for his usual evening
prayer He insisted on going at once TO
the scene. Notwithstanding the fact that
/ he was begged to think first of his own
safety
The librarian accompanied by Monsigno
The librarian accompanied by Monsignor
Merry del Val. the papal secretary OF
| state, Monsignor Bisleo, the papal major,
and Monsignor Dellichs and followed by
the members of the noble guard attached
| to his person. followed the pope.
The moment he arrived his mind graped
| the gravity of the situation and he order
| ed that the firemen of Rome be called.
This was done by telegraph and they ar
rived in about ten minutes, and, although
they brought four engines with them and
were at once ready to begin operations.
it took some time to find the best way to
get sufficient water supply with which to
fight the fire.
In the meantime, the flames had begun
to break out of the windows OF NJ Marle's
apartment and were destroying the roof.
The flames lighted up the entire district
and gave the impression that nothing
| could be saved.
When the fire engines began working
three rooms were already entirely de-
stroyed by the flames which were extend
ing to the other departments.
The pope withdrew as soon as he saw
| that everything possible was being done.
Information had been sent to the Italian
authorities They were courteously invi-
ted to enter and did so.
Therefore, for the first time since the
fall of the power of the Vatican. the
mayor Of Rome and even Signor Ron
chette the newly appointed minister Of
Justice entered the Vatican in their Off
cial capacities. They gave orders direct
| ing the work and participated in fighting
the fire.
1t was a very difficult fire to overcome;
there were a number of old and infiam-
able objects in the apartment OF NJ. Marie.
which vas full of combustibles.
The comparison between the papal fire.
men of Rome. to see who shouldvif. "
( men and the fremen Of Rome. to see who
/ should work the harder and do the most.
! resulted in a display Of courage which
was really admired bic. some iof the fire.
! fighters risking their lives until they were
/ restra aimed by their superiors.
At . little after il o'clock the fire
was unedr control. but the work oof the
/ nremen will continue for some time. II
/ is doubtful IL they VIII leave the scene
+ beforet onight. Fresh relays OF men are
+ being sent to relieve those who have ex-
hausted Themselves
( The entire museum Of inscription. the
rooms OF Father Ehrle. part OF the library
and the printing houses are entirely under
/ water.
/ Il is impossible to reach even an approx
F innate idea % the extent Of the damage.
Many articles were saved. including some
ancient and very valuable arms which
were recently moved to the library room
from the Borgia apartment. Many things
/ that escaped the flames were injured b.
water.
MAY SPLIT DIFFERENCE.
Vatican Will Seek 10 Solve Frisrs'