Washington State journal and Adams County news. [volume] (Ritzville, Wash.) 1906-1907, 1906-11-21
BOMB IN CATHEDRAL
TERRIBLE EXPLOSION IN ST.
PETERS, ROME, ITALY.
Belief In Some Quarters That Anar.
chists Planned to Assassinate Pope
Big Panic In Cathedral-As II by
Miracle, All Escape Injury and Great
Structure 10 Not Damaged.

izing Italy reached a climax Sunday
smorning in a bomb explosion in St.
Peters cathedral, at the Vatican. just
at the conclusion of the morning mass.
It is a MIRACLE that hundreds we're
not trampled to death IN .Ae VIVID STAN
pede to leave the great church imme-
diately after the explosion. The ex-
plosion made thunderOus report,
which echoed and reverbrated in the
immense auditorium with deafening
volume of sound. The church imme-
diately filled with smoke. The nave
was crowded with worshipers, among
whom were many women, and an in
describable panic developed. Men
shouted wildly that the roof was fall
ing and without heed for others rush.
ed madly toward the exits. The ut
most confusion prevailed for many
minutes.
There is reason to believe that a
most carefully planned attempt was
made to assassinate the pope while he
was at mass.
mendous roar had ceased. a canon
sought by reassuring words to quiet
the people. but in vain. They fed in
all directions, and number Of WON.
en- tainted. Women and children
screamed and tried to protect their
families in the crush. The church is
so large, however, that mere was
ample room for the crowd to scatter,
and no one was injured. No trace of
the perpetrator of the deed has been
found.
Since Saint Anacletus, who was or
dained by Peter himself, erected an
oratory in 80 A. D., on the site Of the
present basilicia to mark the spot
where the remains of st. Peter are
buried, no such dastardly occurrence
Is noted in the annals of the church.
Anniversary Of the Dedication.
Today was the anniversary of the
dedication of the basilica to st. Peter
and it was beautifully decorated for
the occasion. Cardinal Rampolla,
formerly papal secretary Of state, was
among those present. He took part
in the services in the choir chapel. The
last mass had Just been concluded
when the explosion occurred, and only
one canon, who had not quite finished,
remained at the altar of st. Peter.
This altar is at the end of the right
aisle, and it was near here the bomb
had been placed. AS the canon turned
to bless the communicates there was
through the lofty arches Of the i'm
mense dome like thunder clap. At
the same time a dense smoke spread
throughout this portion Of the basilica
and a strong odor of gunpowder filled
the air. Confusion and panic at once
seized the people.
AS soon as the smoke cleared away
a hasty examination showed that no
body had been hurt In the crush. and
further more that no one had been
wounded by the explosion. Calm was
gradually restored. and some Of the
people returned to view the extent OF
the damage.
Placed Bomb Under scaffoIding.
1t was discovered that the bomb had
been placed under a scaffolding that
had been erected to facilitate repairs
to the roof, exactly over the celebrated
tomb of Clement XII, by Canovac,
which consists of figure Of the pope
and two lions and which Is the most
n lyoh ~ Int In hn
basilica. This tomb ranks among the
finest efforts of modern sculpture, and
by its execution Canovac established
his reputation.
The tomb was found to be uninjured
and even the pavement shows scarcely
any signs of the explosion. 1t is be.
lieved the bomb had very long fuse
in order to give the criminal time to
gain the exit. 1t has been impossible
to trace him and no one has any recol.
lection Of seeing a man who by his
movements, might have aroused sus.
picion.
The pope was engaged in his regular
noon hour devotions when the bomb
went of. He heard a muffied sound.
which surprised but did not alarm him.
Monsiegnor Misciatelli, subperfect of
the apostolic palace. and Monsignor
Bisleti, major domo of the vatican, at
once hurriedly entered the pontiff's
chamber. They were 80 pale that the
pope Immediately asked. What has
happened?"
do not be alarmed. holy father"
was the answer. "A bomb has ex-
ploded in the basilica, but fortunately
there are no deaths to deplore, and no
one has been wounded"
Third Outrage In -Four Days.
This bomb explosion makes the third
anarchist outrage in Italy in four days,
the other two being the murder Of Pro-
lessor Rossi in Naples Saturday and
the explosion Of bomb in front Of
the Cafe Aragno in this city on No
vember II. The attempt of Sunday has
caused deep seated and universal hor-
ror and indignation on account Of the
locality selected by the miscreants,
and the resentment Of the people is
very great.
st. Peters is the greatest basilica
In Christendom. It took $50 years to
make the building what 1t is today and
is a result of the efforts of 43 popes
and the genius Of Michael Angelo, Bra
mantle and Rafael. The commission of
such an outrage in such a place has