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

pIexion of affairs in Europe greatly al
tered, it world be absurd 20 expect
success for any movement 10 eiect =
non-Italian to the tiara.
At present, a coalition OF French ana
Italian voters could readily deIeat any
formidable combination that might %
formed to elect German Dontin. even
il the Italian vote alone was not sum
Gent. That such a combination Is not
possible may be gathered from the iacs
that there is already strong German
element In the college, which inciudes
Cardinal Kopff, the Prince Blshop Oh
Slesia, Cardinal Galimberte, all the Ger
man, Belgian, Austrian and hungarian
Cardinals, as well as those OF Spain, Eng
land aud Portugal. Even in ecclesiastlc-
al politics, 1t is we'll TO look out for the
unexpected and the secession OF mere
handful OF voters from the Italians at
the critical moment, might give tAe
non-Italian element victory impos-
sible under any other conditions. 1here
are various other groups ana CON OIL
nations limited at, but none that could
be specially effective.
On the whole, then, 1t must De ad-
mitted that the probabilities are ex-
ceedingly remote OF foreigner being
chosen as pontiff, unless, indeed, the
conclavs which elects Leo's successor,
should be held at q time when
Europe Is in the throes OF general
war. In such a case it Is impossible 10
forecast what might happen. with ltaly
involved In the war, IL wonld De al
most impossible to hold the conclave In
Rome; but even If it was held In Val
encia, or some other foreign city, 1t Is
not at all certain that this circumstance
would afford any greater opportunities
for the success Of the anti-ltalian ele-
ment. The Triple Alliance would prob
ably he pleased to have a German or
Austrian Pope: but such choice, made
deliberately by the Sacred College,
would effectually dispose Of any likell-
hood OF the Roman question being set
tied by the cession Of any Italian terri
tory TO the Papacy. In such On event,
all hope of retaining the Vatican
would have to be abandoned, and the
Pontiff would be compelled to either
remain at Rome, on suffarance, or to
seek asylum elsewhere, 1t is this view
Of the matter, more than any other, that
keeps the Italian element in the College
banded together as unit. Should an
attempt be made to force the election OF
German Pope, the Italians could then
safely depend upon the cooperation OF
the French Cardinals, and the whole
College wonld then be divided into two
camps-one favorable to the Triple
Alliance, the other bitterly hostile TO IT,.
The same coalition would probably fol-
low any attempt to choose an Austrian
Pope.
As dernier resort and il the College
found itself compelled, through motives
OF policy, to choose foreigner, Cardi-
nal might be selected from some unim-
portant nationality, such as either Bel
GUM, Switzerland or Spain. France
is out of the question for various rea-
sons, as although it still ranks as one
Of the four great Catholic Powers,
its influence at the Vatican has been
greatly lessened by recent events.
Besides, the election OF French Pom
tiff would evoke the most determined
hostility on the part of the Triple Ali.
ance, and despite the fact that the COM
bned Italian and French vote 10 the
College would be invincible, such a
policy might result in complications too
serious TO be invited. 1t would antago-
nize the German, Austrian, Hungarian,
Spanish. Portuguese and English Car
dnals at the outset, and thus add to the
already powerful party or faction which
is known to be favorable to the Triple
Alliance. and which, under such condl-
tions, might ultimately succeed in Sc
curing a majority. The Irish and
American Cardinals,i ii is thought, would
stand by the Holy Sea in its present
policy in any event.
AS the approaching Consistory re-
wives the discussion of Political candi-
dates, ii may not be amiss to mention
some OF the more prominent. Cardinal
Seraphine Vanutelli, one OF the most
learned and venerated members Of the
College, and who is said TO DO friendly
to Austria, has many warm supporters
among both the French and Italian
Cardinals. He is regarded as
probability by no means re-
mote. Cardinal Parocchi the Presi-
dent of the College and whose
French proclivities are wellknown, is
favored by number of the members.
Zigliare, Dominican and a native OF
Corsica, the personal friend Of Leo, and
a most learned philosopher and theolo-
gian, has also a following, and is by no