Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1894-02-04

1t Is not at all unlikely that it may
develop some new policy in Vatican
affairs disclosing more fully the plans Of
the leaders OF the three powerful fac
tions that are known 10 exist in the
Sacred College. 1t is said that when
the ConSistory meets in March, SatoIli,
the Papal Delegate to the Church in the
United States, may be raised to the
rank OF Cardinal, and that a similar
honor will very likely be conferred upon
Mgr. Jacobini, the Papal Nuncio at
Lisbon, Ciaspa, Secretary OF the Consis-
toral Congregation, Tancredl Fausti,
the Papal Auditor. Ferrand, Archbishop
OF Bologna, Mgr. Salvati, the Secretary
OF the Congregation OF the Coun-
Gil, and the celebrated Father Stein
huber, Of the order of Jesuits. None of
these, however, are reasonably certain
except Fausti, Ciasca, .Ferrand and
JacobnI. All are regarded as more or
less favorably disposed to the continU-
ance Of the present policy OF Leo, and
thus may be accepted as partiSans Of
the Italian wing in the Sacred College.
This is the strongest OF the factions in
Vatican politics, and has been sufficient
" powerful to resist all efforts in the
past TO change the established order OF
things. The two other groups that
figure prominently in Vatican councils
are the Franco-Repubiicanns and the
German element, the last named very
popularity regarded as favorably dis
posed to the Triple Alliance.
For the last five years, almost every
Fror ~ hae Ind rf
In conjecture as to the probabilities of
the pontfcal concession. With the
supposed delicate health OF Leo MIL,
as a basis, endless rumOrs were given
currency, regarding the attitude OF the
Triple Alliance toward the Vatican.
and the preference OF the Powers for a
German pontiG. 1t was admitted that,
II Leo MIL, should die while Europe
was at peace, the next conclave for Sc
lecting a pope would be held In the
Eternal CITY; but, should war be dis
tracing Europe when he passes away,
the conclave might reasonably be ex-
pected to meet in Spain, or at some
point where the leaders OF the
church could End safe and undisturb-
ed refuge. But Europe is no nearer a
war than in 1889, and Leo is quite as
vigorous and capable of administering
the affairs of the Vatican to-day, as he
was then. 1t Is undenable that the
Vatican recognizes its peril in the event
of war, and especially II the Triple
Alliance should suffer defeat. A single
serious reverse for Italy and its allies,
would probably precipitate deluge Of
popular wrath against the Vatican, il
il did not result in q riot that might
leave it in ruins, so little sympathy ex-
lists for it in Rome ct the present time.
On the other hand, French triumph
would mean much TO the Vatican, and
might restore part of the temporal pos
sessions OF the Holy Father, as was
done by the second French Republic.
But Whatever attitude the italian peo-
pie my occupy toward the PapaI Court,
the Italian influence in the Vatican is
still in control and likely so 10 remain.
For three and a half centuries, or even
since the time of Pope Adrian Wa
HoIander-the successive pontiffs
have all been Italians. 0nly as an Ital-
ian prince can the Pope lay claim to
the possession OF Rome, and as long as
this point is considered vital, there is
every probability that the Italian ele-
ment in the Cardinals College will con-
tinue TO vote as unit, and TO control
the elections. as they have done in the
past. They have a majority OF some
half dozen votes and until this IS
changed And the general political COM