The sun., 1903-07-19
POPE SPENDS RESTLESS DAY.
PREPARATIONS FOR CHOOSING
HIS SUCCESSOR GO ON.
Cardinal GOtti still the Leading Candidate
French Opposition weakens-Hsam-
poIla Has Long Conference with the
Pope and Gets Important Concession.

French Opposition weakens-HSam-
poIla Has Long Conference with the
Pope and Gets Important Concession.
Special Gable Despatch to THE SUN.
From THE sun Correspondent at Rome.
ROME, July ls.-lt is now nearly fort
night since extreme unction was admin
istered to the aged Pontifr, but the vital
powers still refuse to yield to his fatal
malady. His case begins to present phys
ical marvels quite as remarkable as the
interest attaching to the last days of tho
diving Pope, 1t is known that he cannot
recover. yet none. even among his own medi-
cal attendants. now ventures to prophesy
when the last hour will arrive. The
wasted frame Of the sufferer is scarcely
more than skeleton, which those who
have visited the sick room say is painful
to look upon. but it contains a spirit as
indomitable as ever.
Meantime the great institution over
which Leo XIII. presides. taking cognizance
only of the ordinary fate Of mortals, is
preparing for his successor. 1t has been a
week Of great activity in all matters affect
ing the papal succession. Little has been
allowed to transpire regarding the most
important developments, but the general
tendency OF the situation is not difficult
10 follow It Is now clear, as was FORE
sbado hot hn
thizers with Cardinals Rampolla and Gotti
will combine in support Of the latter. The
financial interests Of the church. as repre-
sented by the Bank OF Rome and the head
Of the Jesuit order, also indicate their
sympathy with Gotti's candidacy.
The French opposition to Cardinal Gotti
seems to have been overcome. This is
partly due to the fact that there is growing
feeling ameng italian prelates that, con-
sidering the rapid decline of the influence
of Roman Catholicism in France, that
country Is no longer entitled to its former
power in papal affairs.
Cardinal Serafno VannuEelli is unques-
tionably the st strongsst rival OF Gotti. Opin-
ions differ as to which candidacy is in the
ascendant at the present moment. VAN
nuteli will have at the outset the Aus
trian. as we'll as strong Italian support
As between these two, Cardinal Gotti's
reputation is more bound up in traditions.
while Cardinal Vannuteli has a broader
knowledge Of the world and practical az
fairs and is less inhexible against the de-
mands Of modern progress.
A Cardinal who is leader In liberal views
is Agliardi and he will probably have the
willing support Of Cardinal Gibbons OF
Baltimore. He is even in favor Of recon
citation OF the church and the Italian
Government, but his Gberality is so pro-
nounced that 1t will probably render his
elevation to the papal chair impossible.
Nevertheless. as representing the pro-
gressive section OF the church. he will have
some supporters in the Conciave.
The weather conditions to-day continued
very favorable for a prolonged resistance
by the Pontiff. Tho sky was clear and al
though 1t was warm there was a refresh
Ing breeze. What was considered best
of all, there had been full revival Of the
pope's courage, which, the doctors say,
amounted to even buoyant spirits. This
was due to the greatly relieved respiration,
which was no longer superficial.
The bulletin issued this morning was as
follows:
His Holiness passed sleepless night,
but from an early hour this morning has
rested TRANQUILITY. The respiration is calm
and not superficial. The level of the pleuric
liquid is slightly lowered. Temperature,
@2 degrees oentigrade (s7.1s degrees
Fahrenheit); pulse, weak. SO; respiration, 2s.
The general condition is unchanged.
-LAPPoNI.
"MAzzoNI."
Emperor Francis Joseph OF Austria sent
a case of diuretic mineral water to the
Pope, of which his Holiness drank, and the
action Of the kidneys was much improved.
His general condition was also ameliorated.
Cardinal Rampolls, the Papal Secretary
OF State, asked DR.. Lapponi this morning
" he could speak with the Pontin on busi-
ness which could not he delayed any longer.
The physician gave his consent, and long
Interview between the Pope and the Cardi.
nal followed.
II was subsequently announced semi
officially that Cardinal Rampolla had OBJ
ained from his Holiness certain authori-
zation which would remain in effect after
me death of the Pope. This news deeply
impressed the members OF the Sacred Col
lege, as ii is believed the Cardinal obtained
authority to name new secretary Of the
'onclave, in place Of Mgr. volpini, who
died suddenly in the palace the other day
ihis Office is so important that 1t will have
serious bearing in the election of a new
Pontif.
Before the doctors entered the Pope's
room this morning DR. Mazzoni had con-
'erSation with his colleague, DIR. Lapponi,
VINO informed him that his Holiness had
aAen some milk, bouillon and Jelly during
'he night When the doctors entered the
s'okroom, which is kept in almost total
darkness, they found the patient asleep,
'S they We're anxious to examine the state
Ot the nlanrifir, Nr,,;I thn.r ,,,,oI,on~l tL,