Waterbury evening Democrat., 1903-07-18
THE POPE BETTER.
Last Reports From Sick Room
 Are Encouraging
HE MAY LIVE FOR WEEKS

Nobody Allowed to Visit Sick Chamber
 Cabinet Ministers Discussing the
 Attitude of the Government-"When
 the Patient Does Not Get Worse He
 Improves Every Day.
 Rome, July IS, 12:45 p. m.--The pope continues in the same enfeebled state. but there is no indication of an ap- proaching crisis. His condition ap- pears to have lapsed into one of 1n- definite suspense, with the ever-present danger of a fatal turn. Yet there Is no immediate fear that such change Is near.
 The shutters of the pope's bedroom window are almost closed, the window is open and the curtains are drawn back. It is reported that steps will be taken to install an electric fan an the room.
 The cabinet ministers have held sew eral meetings to discuss the attltude of the government on the death or the pope and it has decided that if the vatican notifies the Italian government of his death, as it has done in the case Of other distinguished prelates Italy will not participate in any mandfesta tions of mourning, but limit herself to maintaining public order and dnsur1ng full liberty for the conclave, as pre- scribed by law. In arriving at such a decision the ministers declared that they had been guided by the wish to protect the dignity of the state, ana by no lack of respect for the aged pon- tiff, towards whom there nave been most chivalrous manifestations of sym pathy from the king, who postponed his journey to Paris on account of the pope's health, and the whole people are participating in the universal feeF1ng of regret at the pontiff's illness, thus forgetting the traditional struggle be tween church and state.
 During the morning the pontiH re- 4nained comparatively quiet getting some sleep and seeing no one except the doctors and his immediate attend ants. For three days the official bull Ietins have practically been unchanged, showing the patients condition to be almost stationary. An Italian proverD says: .When the patient does not get worse he improves very much, but, with the pope, after the last two weeks experience, everybody has re- neuneed making any predictions. Un- doubtedly symptoms of amelioration exist, as while on Thursday morning, when the pleuratic liquid re-gathered, hisa respiration reached 36, to-day, when the Hquids is lowering, 1t fell to 2S. In fact, 1t is known that Dr Lap poni and Dr Mazzoni discussed the question whether to announce an ameE- oration in this mornings bulletin, but abandoned the idea so as not to raise excessive optimism,
 Rome, July 1S.-One of the most pic turesque ceremonies of this season in Rome, the procession of the Carmelite Madonna, which occurs two days after the fete day of the Madonna, was much curtailed because of Pope Leo's condi- tion. Usually long procession of wo- men, girls, priests and monks winds through the tortuous streets of Tras- tevere. the popular district, carrying an image of the Madonna and chanting hymns in her praise, while candles flare and flowers are strewn along the route, the multitude looking on enchanted. To-day, however, the image of the Ma donna was taken early and privately to the church, without any display, but longer and more fervent prayers were offered to God for the preservation of the aged pontiff.
 5 D. m.-The pope slumbered most of the afternoon, received nobody, and took moderate amount of nourish- ment.
 D. m.-The pope Is reported to be somewhat better Respiration is easier. Nobody Is allowed to visit the @ick chamber.
 Washington, July 1S.-Mgr Falconio. the papal delegate, to-day received the following cablegram from Cardinal Rampolla: ''The general condition of his holiness is unchanged. Respiration. better"
 Paris, July 1S.--A telegram from Cardinal Rampolla posted at the nunciature here, confirms the reports that the general condition of the pope is unchanged. It adds that the pontiff's breathing is easier. (ynrYDSn vrprNYTuyxy