The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-11-19
Anniversary Ceremony Was In Progress When Terrific Noise
Was Heard. Immense Thong Present Was Terror Stricken.
Outrage Came at the Moment When Holy Relics Were
Being Exposed and When Blessing Was About to Be-
Bestowed Many Women Faint, But CAIN Is Finally
Restored

In all directions. and the screams OF chill
dren and cries OF anguish were heard on
all sides. For a few moments IL seemed
as II nothing could obviate a grave dis
aster, but the crowd became much less
compact, and soon the people were surg
ing toward the doors excited and nervous,
yet orderly
RESTORES CALM
As soon rs tho smoke cleared away a
hasty examination showed that nobody
had been hurt i'm the crush. and further
more, that no one had been wounded by
the explosion. Calm was gradually restor-
ed and people returned TO view the cN-
tent of the damage
1t was discovered tho bomb had been
placed under a scaffolding, which had
been erected TO facilitate repairs TO the
roof. exactly over the celebrated tomb Of
Clement XIII, by Canova, which consists
of a figure Of the Pope and two lions and
which is the most remarkable piece OF
sculpture in the Basilca This tomb ranks
among the finest efforts of modern sculp-
ture and by its execution Canova estab-
lished his reputation.
When the first gendarmes reached the
spot the scanolding was found TO be
smoldering. but this was easily cXtin-
guished. The tomb was found Ia be ABB
solutely uninjured and even the pavement
shows scarcely any signs Of the explo-
sion. An examination of the remains of
the bomb leads to the supposition, unless
1t was crudely prepared on purpose to
mislead, that il was manufactured in the
country and brought into Rome. IL is be-
levcd that the 5omb had a very long
fuse, in order to enable the criminal to
gain the piazza before the explosion. IL
has been impossible to trace him. and no
one has any recollection of seeing a man
who, by his movements, might have
aroused suspicion.
POPE INFORMED.
The Pope was engaged I'm his regular
| noon-hour devotions when the bomb went
off. lie heard mufflod sound, which sur
prised, but did not alarm him. Mgr Mis-
Ciatclli sub-prcfCCt of the apostolic
palaces and Mgr Bisletti, Major Domo
of the Vatican. at once hurriedly entered
the Pontff's chamber They were so pale
that the Pope Immediately asked. What
has happened?'
do not he alarmed, Holy Father" was
the answer. "A bomb has exploded in the
Basilica, but. fortunately, there arc no
deaths to deplore and no one has been
wounded"
The Pontff asked anxously II the
church had been injured. Upon being re-
assured, he fell on his knees, saying he
must implore mercy for the misguided
perpetrator OF the deed
Soon after this announcement was made
| to him the Pope went 10 the throne room,
where he admitted TO private audience,
| Mgr. Kennedy. rector OF the American
! college, who presented to His Holiness
| Mr.. and Mrs Louis j. McCloskey OF Phil
adelphia, and Mr.. Paul S. King OF New
| York, who noticed that the Pope was pale
| and labored under some emotion. After
| this reception the Pope proceeded TO the
! hall OF the consstory. where he received
| about coo other persons, including - stu
dents OF South American college, 20 whom
! he delivered a short address. None Of
| these persons knew anything OF the ex-
| plosion.
PEOPLE NERVOUS.
Signor Massimnl. the Italian minister Of
| finance, was lunching AZ the Cafe Trag-
no when he heard the news. lie imme-
| diatey took a cab and drove rapidly TO
! ST. Peters, where he met a number Of
! the papal authorities. including Count
| Cemillo Pecci, a nephew Of Leo XIII, and
| commandant OF the Palatine Guard.
The explosion produced no alarm out
| side the Baslica, the sound being taken
| by everybody for the MONDAY gun, but
by afternoon the news was known all
over tho city and n stream OF people went
| through tho church 10 view the result Of
| tho explosion.
| There IS a certain nervousness In the
| city and people are apt TO magnify small
| events This was eNemplihed this after
| noon when the explosion Of n frecracker
! In tho now tunnel. above which stands
| the Quirinai caused considerable excite
nlent and alarm. people fearing another