Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-06-07
GIBBONS MAY BE POPE.
Old World Diplomats Already Discuss.
ing Him.

Rome special 10 the New York Times saws:
Who viii be the next pope? That Is the ques-
ton which all Europe is now considering.
There is really no sovereign IN the world whose
acts are OF the in irrational character of the
popes, aud the death OF Leo Mi tomorrow
would create a STIR which would attract the at
tenion of Americans more than any event that
has occurred within the memory OF the resent
generation. Why? Well. 1t is more than pos
sible that European jealou>ies. no less than the
present situation OF the vatican. would dictate
thc election of the American cardinal, Arch
bishop Gibbons, Of Baltimore, to the chair Of
Peter.
That is the consensus of opinion here, and
the reasons advanced are lucidly condensed by
a Roman prel"te, whose position prevents the
puDllCdtlon OF his name, which L send YOU in
conhIcnce AS guarantee of the authority
that brings the United States into such promi-
nenee IN the old worlds affairs. The pope is
not very strong. and reliable reports state that
his why frame cannot much longer endure the
strain OF his age and cares
Take glance at the situation in Europe to-
day. SAID my homdn Informant. land mark 10
wen. Germany Is opposed 10 ali things French;
France TO all things German. Under the con-
corI"t France has the privilege TO protest
against the election of certain candidates. The
privilege Is rarely exercised. and the cardinals
are nos bound 10 obey Il: bat under preseAt
clrcumstant es-wHcn every force must be util.
lzed IA tie struggle tor the restoration OF the
temporal power-It would be obcyed Ger
MANY candidates r., jectcd. pol .cy would COM
pei the Cardinals TO ignore Frances claims Tor
GERMANY cannot be UnCnded Cardinal Howard
l. afflicted with mental troubles. and the two
other English cardinals are placed beyond con-
siueratlon 10y their aSe-NewhIGn being eIghty-
eight and utirm. ana Manning ciEhty-ouc"
but there are the Italian cardlna!s2'
III course; but do YOU not know that they
are Old men-at least all the cardinals whose
lives and labors single them out tor considera-
ton! Simeon. farOcchi. Scaiafino. RAM
poIia, San FCllce, and Nanutteli are the only
ItalIan candidates whose names suggest papal
honors. lat ii You review the history OF each,
you VIII mud that as nunclos 10 France or Ger
many they have earned the mIstrust of either
country on account vi past official relations.
Cardinal San Fellce alone excepted But he
too, Is out of tie question.
Would any government object 70 him?"
asked me I'nnS correspondent. wondering
where the dllHculties were go.nE to end
well, 10 tel! YOU the truth, there never be-
fore was a time when Italian cardinals were in
eligible from ponucal circumstances France
has to-day nlnC cardinals IN the Sacred college
a very unusual number. caused by the fact that
IN addition 10 the prelates selected by the pope
the French government insisted on the eleva-
ton OF Mgr. Foulon.- archDishop of LYONS
THIS gives you an idea of the importance at
tached 10 the mex: couclavC. and a further IL
lustratIOn Is TO be had IN the official announce
ment that IrgsldcE, CaIlIOt will receive the
berettas from the pope and in person present
them TO the three new French cardinals"
But what has thus 10 DO with the opposition
to an Italian candidate! was the query.
The prelate smiled. evidently amused at what
he Thought an American lack of perception.
Well, Was the answer, France and Italy
cross. The statements just made show that
the French cardinals Will 20 into the conclave
as trenchmen, and TO oppose anv selection
that might be Objectionable to France and
consequently prejudIcial to the interests of the
holy see. through treaty with the emperor Of
China the Vatican enjoys a protectorate in the
east. This formerly belonged to France and
carries with II vast commercial privileges. Is
II surprising that France fears transfer OF this
10 Italy, among other considerations. in return
for the Restoration OF temporal power France
still enjoys The privileges, and this is only one
instance where complications might arise"
And ali tins leads you 20 believe that the
only compromise is an American cardinal
Gibbons, Tor Instance
Exactly; and L predict that under his adj
mlnlstratlOn tie Roman question would be set
tied The European governments are consiG-
erably perturbcd oy'r the Possibilities of the
conclaNe, and would certainly unite IN Offering
inducements 10 ltaly 10 grant certain terri
tory to the pope. IN which he would be a SOW
erelgn, perfectly free and ind, pendent. un-
trammeled by allegiance to any one govern
ment. There is none with whom negotiations
could be carried on better than IA citizen Of the
great republic Of the west. would ike to see
him pope myself, wouldn't your
Certainly, was the newspaper mans reply
as he added that he always was anxious 10 see
the United States come out ahead, no matter
III what contest ran the candidate who wore
the American colors-red, white, and blue.