The Explosion in St. Peters.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXVIII, Issue 7069, 7 January 1907, Page 4

The Explosion in St. Peters.

THE WORK OP AN ANARCHIST.

The bomb explosion in St. Peter's, at Rome, was, it is generally supposed, designed to kill Cardinal Rampolla, who has lately received several letters threatening him with assassination (writes tbe London correspondent of the Melbourne Age.) The cardinal as arch-prieat of the basilica, was celebrant at High Mass in the ohoir oha-

el. The service was carried out with unusual ceremony, the ocoasion being the anniversary of the dedication of St. Peter's. There was an exposure of holy relics, and tbe building was splendidly decorated with feßtival draperies of crimson and gold. Many English and American visitors were present, in addition to a large congregation of Italians, consisting mainly of women and children. High Mass had just concluded and a canon was turning to bless an assemblage of communicants, when the bomb exploded with a tremendous crash, filling the building witn dense smoke and the smell of powder. There was a great rush of the people for the exits ; and, thinking that many of them might be killed, tbe oanon shouted, " Have no fear ; it is nothing. It is merely the noonday gun." Several women fainted, but, fortunately nobody was seriously hurt in tbe outward rush.

Nor did the bomb itself do any damage. To the surprise of everyone it had proved as harmless as a Chinese cracker. It had been lodged near the Navioella altar, which rests against one of the great piers supporting the dome of the basilica. Some restorations were in progress there, and the scaffolding in use had afforded a means of concealing the bomb. The scaffolding was a considerable distance from the altar where the Vatican dignitaries took part in the celebration of High Mass. Apparently the Anarchist saw no chance of lodging hie bomb there, and contented himself with a notion that the explosion would bring down the roof. It did not even injure the nearest statues, Yet the bomb reeembled closely in construction that which caused so much damage at the Cafe d'Aragno, in Rome a few months ago. The contents bad consisted of about 21b of gunpowder and a quantity of heavy nails. The Pope had been present at the High Maso, but had retired to his private chapel before the explosion took place. He heard the noise, and was asking what had caused it, when his secretary rushed into the chapel saying, "Tranquilise yourself, holy father. A bomb has been exploded in the basilica, but no damage has been done." " Thank God for that," the Pope replied, " These infcrtucate'men are a danger to aocisty, I am glad that my beloved basilica has escaped.' Later on, returning to his own apartments, he remarked, " We are going through sad times, May God enlighten the misguided creatures." No Anarchist outrage had ever previously been committed in or near the basilica.