Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1906-11-24
BOMB EXPLODED
IN FAMOUS CHURCH
Miscreants Deed Caused Wild Panic
in St Peters. at Rome.
THERE WERE NO FATALITIES


St Peters. The edifce was crowded
and an indcscribable scene OF confu-
sion followed. There were no fatal.
ties. AS soon IS the echoes OF the
tremendous roar had ceased a canon
sought by reassuring words TO quiet
the people. but i'm vain. They fled I'm 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 90 scatter and no one was
injured. No trace OF the perpetrator
of the deed has been found.
Since ST. Anaclctus. who was or.
daiucd by Peter himself. erected an
oratory i'm go A. ID. on the site OF the
present basuica 90 mark the spot
where the remains of ST Peter are
buried. mo- such das,ardly occurrence
is noted in the annals OF the church.
Panic Followed Explosion.
Sunday was the anniversary of the
dedication OF the basiica to ST. Peter.
and 80 was beautifully decorated for
tho occasion. Holy relics were exposed
and large number OF the faithful az
tended the services. Cardinal Ram
polla formerly papal secretary OF
state was among those present. H.
took part iu the service in the choir
chapel The last mass had just been
concluded whom the explosion oc
CURED and only one canon. who had
not quite finished. remained at the al.
tar oI ST. pcfronula This altar lis at
the end of the right aisle. and it was
near here that the bomb had been
placed. As tho canon turned % bless
the communicates there was "a tire
mendous roar which echoed through
the lofty arches of the immense dome
Use % thunder clap At the same timc
@ dense smoke spread throughout chic
portion of The hasilica and "A etrono
oaor ot runpowder filled the air. Con.
fusion and panic a. once seized the
people. The canon on the altar tried
to stem tho tide OF fear. lie shouted
ont. EDO not De- afraid: 10 fs NOTHING
merely the monday sum-" His words
however had little effect They were
'elutca by Che smoke and the puneont
smcN OBJ powder. aul the people cOntin
ued their headlouE flight Chairs were
overthrow. making the confusion
more serious. Nou and women ea5
STUMBLING lR aU directions the
screams OF children and cries OF an
cuish were heard ou an sides and
ior icw moments 60 seemed as ~
nothing could oorlato grave disqs
ter. Tho vast size OF tha church how.
ever. gave room for the crowd to scat
Ter. and at the cnl of few moment
the people were surg.nr toward the
doors. excited and nervous. but or
dcrly
AS soon as the smoke cleared away
a hosty examination showed that mo-.
BODY had been hgrt in the crush. ana
furthermore. that uo one had beon
wounded hy che explosion. Calm was
gradually restored and people returned
TO view che extent of The damage.
Was Placed Under ScaffoId.ro.
TO was discovered chat thc bomb had
been placed uul.r s.auo.aIne which
had been erected to facilitate repairs to
The roof exactly over the celebrated
tomh OF Clement Nu. bv Canovo
which consists OF ieure OF The none
and TWO lions. and which is the most
remarkable piece of sculpture ln tho
hoslca. when the FIRST eendarmee
reached Che spot the sOagoIdirs was
found to be smou,der.u-. but This Gro
was easily oNun-uished Tho tornh
was found 70 be absolutely uuinflre5
and even the pavement shows scareoI,.
any signs ol the explosion. An oxaui-
nation ~ thc remains Of the borrn
leads 20 the supuosition. unless 10 was
crudely prepared ON purpose 90 mis-
lead, that 30 was manufactured In the
country and brought into Rome Dr. ie
believed that the bomb had a verv lone
fuse. in order Co enable the criminal
20 gain The piazza before The explosion
IL has been impossible 90 trace him
and no one has any recollection of see
Ing a man who. boy his movements
might have aroused suspicion.
Pope Heard Explosion.
The pope was engaged in his regular
noon-hour deyouons whom the bomb
went of. RE heard mumed sound
which surprised. but did not alarm him
Monsignor Misc.ateu. sub-prcfect az
the apostallic palaces. and Monsienor
Bisieu major domo of the Vatican. NJ
once hurriodly entered the pontiTs
chamber They We're SO pale taat the
pope Immediately asked. What has
happcned?"
do not be alarmed. holy father"
was the answer. "A bomb has exolod-
ed in the Basilica. but fortunately there
are no deaths 90 deplore. and no one
has been wounded"
The ponun asked anxiously If the
church had been injured Upon being
Treasured. he fell on his knees. saving
he must implore mercy for the misguid-
ed perperator Of the deed
a three days service of prayer will
be celebrated in all the churches in
expiaton Of this onense TO religion.
POPE'S LIFE THREATENED
Pontiff Receives Letters Predicting He
Will BE Assassinated.
Rome. Nov 20.-The pope has re-
Ceivod personal letters containing