The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-07-10
SEEK DYING POPE'S ADVICE.
RANPOLLA AND OTHERS CONFER
WITH MIN ABOUT SUCCESSOR.
Cardinal Gibbons said 10 he SeI'iousI, Gone
sldercd--Factional differences InJure
Others ChaEces--Erencil and German
Influences Interest In Washington.
Speo'ay Gable Despatch to TnK SUN.


From rHE SUN Correspondent Ht Rome.
ROME, July DIT Is significant Of how
much greater Is the Church than the Pope
that the attention of even the King and
the Poptifr himself WIS To-day absorbed
in the question Of tie Papal succession
1t Does not indicate kck OF sympathy or
interest In the personal fate Of the man
who. probably, at this InoDmrt is breathing
his list. II ip evidence Of tie intrusion
Of the great intercsts Of State which have
been brought to bear with cold-blooded
inssteIce since it WIS known that the
Popes illness YVES mortal
This premature ca campaigning, which 10
chiefly in behalf Of Cardinal Gotti, who
has become known NJ Emperor Williams
candidate, has had the effect of causing
serious confusion, almost djsscrsion among
the Cardinals. The friends of France
especially became extremely active in
opposing what they described as the posi-
bility of q Germanzed Pope.
The French Ambassador called to-day
five times Al the Vatican and consulted with
some Of the Cardinals. He pointed out that
Cardinal GGtti's election would finally sc al
the fate OF the Church officially N France.
Cardinal Rampola, who is chiefly identified
with French interests, was among the Car
dinals consulted. He has no chance OF
oil htp,oaif tn cha Dnp,nl hal httt hn
is credited with controlling ten votes in
the Conclave.
The canvassing became so active that he
took the extraordinary course Of seeking
to invoke the influence of the dying Pontif
himself This, it is now known, was the
subject of Cardinal Rampolla's hour inter
view with his Holiness this morning 1t
is known also that he succeeded in his pur-
pose, whatever it may have been.
The wonderful mind of the man whose
vitality seems superior to all physical
disabilities seized the occasion 10 do one
more service for the Church. He ordered
that all the Cardinals in Rome be sum
moned to assemble at his bedside to might,
but the undertaking proved too great even
for his indomitable will TO carry out. A
relapse came and he was obliged to limit
the interview to two or three Cardinals.
The situation has, however, developed
pretty clearly. 1t will probably be i'm
possible to elect any Cardinal specially
Endorsed or specially opposed by any great
European Power Hence 1t is that In view
OF the almost hopeless factions among the
Italian Cardinals the suggestion Of the
election of Cardinal Gibbons has been seri-
ously considered
Cardinals oregia di sonto stefano,
Gotti and francesca Salesio della Volpe
we're the three Princes Of the Church who
had an interview with the Pope this even
ing. France, realizing that Cardinal RAM
poIla's candidature is impossible, supports
Cardinal Vannutelli.
The Osscrratore Romano, the organ Of
the Vatican. in describing Cardinal Ram
polla's interview with the Pontiff, says
that the latters mind was perfectly clear.
He related the various phases of his sick
ness and said he hoped to be able to over
come his weakness. He listened to Car
dinal Rampola's communications on vari-
GUS matters Of business and replied with
his usual clearness and with absolute
authority.
WASHING ION, july 0. For the first time
in its history the United States Govern
ment ia taking personal interest in reports
from Rome in regard to the personality Of
the candidates who have been mentioned
as possible SUCCESSORS 20 Pope Leo in case
of hi, death. Because If the II fl,lt nco Of
the Church in the Philippine Islands it is
considered Of the utmost imp trance that
the new Pope should br friendly toward
the United States, and this u particularly
important in view Of the pending ne got ia .
lions for the acquisition by TIE II iiippine
Government Ct ths friar lands in thu Fiji
ipT Wh.n c:o,, TAT, want 10 ROM. 10 Ind
littla difficulty In securing the active sup
port Of Pops Leo in an endeavor t. convince
the friars that they should give up their
Philippine property enc II ire to come
other country. r p I.eA ht,d not been
me mbsr Of ahv religious oruer, and though
surrounded by prtlSt"r, rhtny Of whom
Were affiiiated with some OOr al the orders
reprt scented in the Philippines, he gave
assurances that he would do Il that Ina
could TO bring about an annie bic under
standing betwcen the Philippine, Govern.
ment and the frinrs.
An officer who is we'll informed on the
negotiations conducted in Rome by Gov
Taft is authority for the statement that
Cardinal Rampolla, Secretary Of State
Of the Vatican, who visited this country
some years ago, was also friendly to tho
interests of the United States, and that he
showed suoh friendship for this country
and exhibited, such liberal ideas as to make
him among all other candidates the most
acceptable 10 this Government.
1t developed in the negotiations that
Cardinal Rampolla and Cardinal Satoli
within the Vatican as to the policy TO be
pursued with regard to the claims Of the
United States concerning the friar prop
erty, while on the other hand certain other
prelates showed open hostility. A recol-
lection of this hostility Is still fresh In tho
minds OF Gov. Taft and other officials who
are now interested in the outcome Of the
negotiations.
Among the most hostile was Cardinal
Martinelli, and 1t was authoritatively stated
to-day that at no period Of the negotiations
did he neglect TO exert his influence against
this country Other reports have come
regard TO Cardinal Martinelli's general
attitude against American ideas. and par
ticularly the broad ideas of the Church
In the United States as advanced by Arch
bishop Ireland. So unfavorable have these
reports become that 1t can be said that this