Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1906-11-24
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 If by
Miracle, All Escape Injury and Great
structure ls Not Damaged.

Rome. Nov. 19.-The outrages Of the
desperate anarchist band now terror
izing Italy reached a climax Sunday
morning 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 were
not trampled to death IN ,Ae WIND 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 a deafening
volume of sound. The church imme-
diately filed 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.
AS soon as the echoes OF the ire
mendous roar had ceased, a canen
sought by reassuring words to quiet
the people, but in vain. They fed in
all directions, and a number Of wom-
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. CarG|nal 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 1t was near here the bomb
had been placed AS the canon turned
to bless the eQmmunieants there was
a tremendous roar, which echoed
through the lofty arches of the i'm
mense dome like a thunder clap. At
the same time a dense smoke spread
throughout this portion OF the bssiliea
and a strong odor of sunpewder Allied
the air. Confusion and panic at once
seized the people.
AS soon as the smoke cleared away
hasty examination showed that 40
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 Scaffolding.
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 a figure Of the pope
and two lions and which is the most
remarkable piece Of sculpture in the
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 a 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 off. He heard a mufhed 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 pontif's
chamber. They were so 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,
me other two being the murder of Pro-
lessor Rossi in Naples Saturday and
me explosion of a bomb in front OF
he Cafe Aragno in this city on No
Fember IA. The attempt of Sunday has
caused deep seated and universal hor-
TOT and Indignation on account of the