Los Angeles herald., 1906-11-19
THROWS
B0MBIN
CHURCH
Panic Follows and
Many Women
Faint
Explosion in st. Peters,
Rome, Cannot BE
Explained
Never Before in History of Church
Has Such a Dastardly oe-
currence Been Re-
corded
Bv Assoclated Press.

| BY Associated Press.
ROME, Nov. 1S.--A bomb was ex-
ploded in st. Peters today. The edifce
was crowded and an indescribable
scene of confusion followed. There
were no fatalities.
As soon as the echoes of the tre-
mendous roar had ceased canon
sought by reassuring words to quiet
the people. but in vain.
They fled in all directions and a
number of women tainted. Women
and children screamed and men tried
to protect their families in the crush.
The church is so large, however,
that there was ample room for the
crowd to scatter and no one was in
jured. No trace of the perpetrator of
the deed has been found.
Since Saint Anacleutus, who was or
dained by Peter himself, erected in
80 A. D., on the site of the present
Basilica to mark the SPOT where the
remains of st. Peter are buried, no
such dastardly occurrence is noted in
4 the annals of the church.
Today was the anniversary of the
dedication of the Basilica to st. Peter
and it was beautifully decorated for
the occasion.
Holy relics were exposed and a
large number. of the, faithful attended
the services. Cardinal Rampolla, for
merly papal secretary Of state, was
among those present. He took part In
/ the service in the choir chapel.
II The last mass had Just been COM
= clEded when the explosion occurred
Land only one canon, who had not quite
4 finished remained at the altar Of st.
: Peter. This altar is at the end of the
right aisl and 1t was. near here the
bomb had been placed.
AS the canon turned to bless the
communicates there was tremendous
roar which echoed through the lofty
arches of the immense dome like
thunder clap.
At the same time dense smoke
spread throughout this portion of the
Basilica and a strong odor of gun
powder filled the air, Confusion and
panic at once seized the people. The
canon 1T the altar tried to stem the
tide of fear. He shouted out:
Words Have Little Effect
do not be afraid; it is nothing,
merely the noon day gum" His words
had little effect. They were refuted by
the smoke and the pungent smell of
powder and the people continued their
| hCooioh6 llA6ht.
Chairs were overturned, making the
confusion more serious. Men and
women fled, stumbling in all direc-
tions the screams of children and
cries of anguish were heard on all
sides and for few minutes it seemed
as though nothing could obviate
/ grave disaster.
10 The vast size of the church. how
ever, gave room for the crowd to scat
ter and at the end of few moments
the people were surging toward the.
doors, excited and nervous, but or
derly.
AS soon as the smoke cleared away
a hasty examination showed that no
body had been hurt in the crush and
furthermore 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.
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 Clemont XIII by Canova, which
consists of figure Of his holiness and
two lions and which is the most re-
markable piece of sculpture in the
basilica.
This tomb ranks among the finest
efforts OF modern sculpture, and by
it's execution canova established his
reputation.
When the first gendarmes reached the
spot the scaffolding was found to be
smouldering, but this fire was easily
extinguished.
Tomb Is Uninjured
The tomb was found to be uniljured
and even the pavement showed scarce
ly any signs of the explosion. An ex-
animation of the remains of the bombs
leads to the supposition, unless it was
crudely prepared on purpose to mis-
lead that ii was manufactured in the
country and brought into Rome.
1t is believed that the bomb had a
very long fuse in order to enable the
criminal TO gain the exit. 1t has been
impossible to trace him and no one has
any recollection of seeing man who.
by his movements, might have aroused
suspicion.
His holiness was engaged in his regu-
lar noon hour devotions when the
bomb went off. He heard a muffled
sound. which surprised. but did not
alarm him. Monsiegnor Mischiatelli,
sub-prefect OF the apostolic palace, and
Monsiegnor Bisletti, Major Domo OF the
vatican at once hurriedly entered the
pontilf's chamber. They were so pale
that the pope Immediately asked:
"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"
The .pontiff asked anxiously II the
church had been damaged Upon be-
ing reassured he fell upon his knees,
saying he must implore mercy for the
misguided perpetrator of the deed.
Soon after this announcement was