The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1906-11-19

Rome, Nov. 1s.-A bomb was
exploded in st. Peters today.
The edifice was crowded, and
an indescribable scene of confusion fol-
lowed There were no fatalities.
AS soon as the echoes of the tremen-
dous roar had ceased a canon sought
by reassuring words TO quiet the peo-
pie, but in vain. They fed in all df-
Tections and a number of women faint
ed. Women and children screamed and
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
iured. No trace of the perpetrator of
lyhe deed has been found.
4 Since Saint AnacleutuS, who was or
Manned by Peter himself, erected an or
atOry 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
the annals of the church.
Dedication Anniversary.
Today was the anniversary of the
dedication of the basilica TO ST. Peter
and il was beautifully decorated for the
occasion. Holy relics were exposed and
4 large number of the faithful attended
the services. Cardinal Rampolla, for
merly papal secretary of state, was
among those present. He took part in
Inc service in the choir chapel. The
last mass had just been concluded when
the explosion occurred. and only one
canon. who had not quite finished. re-
manned at the altar of St. Peter. This
altar IS at the end of right aisle, and
il was near here the bomb had been
placed.
As the canon turned to bless the COM
municants there was a tremendous roar,
which echoed through the lofty arches
of the immense dome like a thunder
clap At the same time a dense smoke
spread throughout this portion of the
basiiica and strong Odor of gun pow
der filled the air.
Panic at Once Prevailed.
Confusion and panic at once seized
the people. The canon al the altar
tried 10 stem the tide of fear. He
shouted out: DO not be afraid: it is
rothing. merely the MONDAY gun" His
words had little effect. They were re-
futed By the smoke and the pungent
smell of powder. and the people contin-
ucd their he6dlOng fight. Chairs were
overturned, making the confusion more
serious. Men and women fed, stumb-
ing i'm all directions; the screams of
children and cries of anguish were
ltf-tfu OIL ali SilCSr anu AOi q lew liliiA-
utes il seemed as though nothing could
obviate q grave disaster. The vast size
Of the church. however. gave room for
the crowd to scatter. and at the end of
a few moments the people were surging
toward the doors, excited and nervous
but orderly.
As soon as the smoke cleared away a
hasfy examination showed that nobody
had been hurt in the crush, and further
l,ol hld nv
the explosion. Calm was gradually re-
stored. and some of the people returned
& " view the extent of the damage.
Bomb Under seaffoldins.
vi was discovered that the bomb had
heen placed under a scaffolding that
red 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 re-
s,7arkable piece Of sculpture in the ba-
silica This tomb ranks among the fin
est efforts of modern sculpture. and by
is execution Canova established his
reputation.
When the first gendarmes reached
the spot the scaffolding was found to
be smouldering. but this fire was easily
extinsuished. The tomb was found to
10 uniniured and even the pavement
shows scarcely any signs of the eXplO-
sion. An examination for the remains
Of the bombs leads to the suDposition,
l,l5Iess 1t was crudely pre- pared on pur-
pose to mislead. that il was manufac-
f1red in the country and brought into
Zone. 1t is believed that the bomb
had a very long fuse in order 10 enable
the criminal to gain the exit. it has
been impossible to trace him. and no
one has any recollection of seeing
nan who by his movements might have
sroused suspicion.
Pope Plus Mortified.
The pope was engaged IN his regular
noon hour devotions when the boub
. went off He heard a nrufffed sound,
which surprised by did rot alarm him.
dnnsignor Misciatelli. sub-prefect of
she apostolic palace, and Monsignor
Ris;eti major dOmo of the vatican, at
once hurriedly entered the pontiff's
chamber
They were so pale that the pope i'm
mediately asked: What has hap
pened?
DO not be alarmed. holy father. -
CICT NIT GEM