The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1889-06-10
GIBBONS MAY BE POPE.
Old World Diplomats Already Discuss
ing Him.
FFom tRo Net0 York Times

ROME, June 6.-Who will be the next
pope9 That is the question which all Europe
IS now considering. There is really no
sovereign in the world whose acts are of
the International character of the pope's,
and the death of Leo XIII. tomorrow
would create a stir which would attract the
attention Of Americans more than any ovent
That has occurred within the memory of the
present generation. Whyl Well, it is moro
than possible that European jealousies, no
less than the present situation of the vati-
can, would dictate the election OF the Amer
lean cardinal, Archbishop Gibbons of Bal
timore, to the chair of Peter
That is the consensus of opinion here. and
the reasons advanced are lucidly condensed
by Roman prelate, whose position pre-
vents the publication of his name, which l
send you in confidence as guarantee of the
authority that brings the United States
into such prominence in the old worlds af-
ialrs. The popeis not very strong, and re-
liable reports state that his wiry frame can
not much longer endure tho strain of his
age and cares
lake glance at the situation in Europe
To-day, said my Roman informant. ssand
mark 1t well. Germany is opposed to all
thlngs French; France to all things Ger
man: Under the concordat France has the
privilege To protest against the election of
certain candidates. The privilege is rarely
exercised, and the cardinals are not bound
TO OBEY 1t; but, under present circumstances
-When every force must be utilized i'm the
struggle Tor the restoration of the TEMPORAL
power-it would be obeyed Germany's
candidates rejected, policy would compel
Ihe cardinal to ignore Frances claims.
Tor Germany cannot be offended. Cardinal
Howard is afflicted with mental troubles.
and the other Eaglish cardinals are placed
hey ond consideration by their age--New-
man being 6S and infirm, and Manning 81 u
But there are the Italian cardinalsp'
vi course; but do you not know that
they are old men-at least all the cardinals
whose lives and labOrs single them out for
considerations Smeoni, Parocchi, Schi-
afiino, Ranpolla, San Feice and Vanutteli
are the only Italian candidates whose names
suggest papal honors. But il you review
the history Of each, you will find that as
nuncios TO France or Germany they have
earned the mistrust of either country on
account Of past official relations, Cardinal
san Fellce alone excepted. But he, too. is
out of the question:
Would any government object to himY'
asked the Times correspondent wondering
where the difficulties were going to end.
"Well, to tell you the truth, there never
before was time when Italian cardinals
were ineligible from political cir
cumstances. France has to-day nine
cardinals in the sacred college.
a very unusual number, caused by the fact
that IN addition to the prslates selected by
the pope, the French government insisted
on the elevation of Mgr Foulon, Archbishop
OF Lyons. This gives you an idea Of the
Importance ATTACHED to the next conclaye.
and further illustration is to be bad in
the official announcement that President
Carnot will receive the berettas from the
pope and in person present them to the
three new French cardnals.u
"But what has this to do with the oppo-
stion to an Italian candldatef' was the
query.
The prelate smiled, evidently amused at
what he thought an Americans lack of
perception.
well" was the answer. "France and
Italy cross. The statements just made
show that tho French cardinals will go
into the conclave as Frenchmen and to
oppose any selection that might be obiec
tionable 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 it vast commercial prfvil-
eyes. Is it surprising that France fears
transfer of this TO Italy, among other con-
siderations, in return for tie restoration of
temporal powers France still enjoys the
privileges, and this is only one Instance
where complications might arise
And all this leads you to believe that the
only compromise is an American cardinal
Gibbons, for instance ~
Exactly; and ! predict that under his
administration the Roman question would
be settled. The European governments are
considerably perturbed over the possibili-
ties of the conclave and would certainly
unite in offering inducements to Italy TO
grant certain territory to the pope.
In which he would be a sovereign.
perfectly free aud independent, untram-
meled by allegiance to any one government,
There is mono with whom negotiations
could be carried on better than with citi-
zen of the great republic of the west. I
would like to see him pope myself, wouldn't
your
Certainly" was the newspaper mans
reply. as he added that he always was
anxious to see the United States come out
ahead, no matter in what contest ran the
candidate who wore the American colors-
aoI tAo e..I