The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-07-31
YATICAN'S FINANCIAL LOSS.
SURINKAGE or FUNDS DUE TO
SEVERAL CAUSES.
cardinals Discussing the State or Affairs
Last Service in the ObseQuies Of
Pope Leo-Cardinal Gibbons Quoted
AZ Openly Opposing RampOlla's Policy.
Special Cable Dispatches TO The SUN.
Ernl,, THE SIN Correspondent at Rome.

From THE Sun Correspondent At Rome.
ROME, July sO--The financial status Of
the HOLY See is quite obscure. 1t is well
known that there was great shrinkage in
the funds during the last pontifoats, due
first TO the great financial collapse in Rome
fifteen years ago. Pope Leo then went to
rho rescue of some of the aristooratic cleri-
cal families About $2,OOO.O0O was said to
have been absorbed in this way, but 1t is
now believed that there were much larger
losses.
There we're also heavy losses through bad
investments, including the money the
Pope was induced to advance to the So
called Catholic Bank, which was organized
by Belgians several years ago. Again six
wears ago there was heavy robbery from
the Vatcans strong box, and strange stories
have been current about this loss for long
time.
II is knowledge Of these misfortunes
which leads many OF the Cardinals and other
friends of the Church to seek information
in regard to the actual state Of affairs.
Several of the Cardinals discussed the
matter again to-day. while waiting for the
meeting to be called to order, and they
concurred in the expression of the hope
that the new Pope would take no interest in
any banking combination in his ent ourage.
The last high mass in connection with
the obsequies Of Pope Leo was celebrated
In the Sistine Chapel of the Vatican to-day,
afty-fve Cardinals attending 1t was a
particularly impressive ceremonial, which
was emphasized by the visible feebleness Of
many members Of the Sacred College. 1t
was necessary to assist twenty OF the Car
dinals to enter and leave the chapel, and
one or two had almost to be carried out
al The close
The official eulogy Of the late Pope was
pronounced by Mgr Cali. 1t was an elo-
quent Grafton, briefly reviewing Leo's en-
cyclicals, especially on social questions.
Mgr Cali also referred to the Pope's regret
for his exclusion from The Hague Peace
Conference and to the sorrow he felt be-
cause of the proposed divorce law in Italy.
But the greatest sorrow, Mgr Cali declared,
came to the Pope from his beloved France,
while his last JOY was given by Germany in
the sentiments expressed by her Emperor
on the occasion Of his recent visit to the
Vatican.
To-day's meeting, at a brief session,
approved the note to the Powers, prepared
by Mgr Merry del VAL setting forth the
usual platonic protest against the depriva-
ton Of the Holy See of it's temporal power
An Italian Journal describes discussion
between Cardinal Gibbons, Archbishop
of Baltimore; Cardinal Macchi. Secretary
OF Apostolic Briefs; Cardinal Kopp, Bishop
Of R;eslau; Cardinal Sancha, Archbishop Of
roJedo, and others ct the close of the
meeting. The paper asserts that Cardinal
Gibbons frankly criticised Cardinal Ram
pollas policy, which, ne said, has been
ready to support any Government ut the
expense OF old and tried friends OF the
Church. The result is what has Just hap
pened in France, and, the Cardinal added
significantly, what is going to happen in
Spain.
Cardinal Sancha expressed assent to
Cardinal Gibbons's views. and the other
sp nish Cardinals, in the absence OF Car
dinal Wives v Tuto, who is Cardinal Ram
pollas chief supporter, gathered about
Cardinal Gibbons and engaged in earnest
discussion.
Nothing Of Importance bearing upon
the coming Conclave transpired to-day
beyond several indications that Cardinal
hrpollas chances, though most in evil
dence, are by no means as bright as they
seem The Italian Government naturally
takes the keenest interest In the election.
There is no seal of secrecy upon its men,
bers, and they profess the conviction that
the cha noes Of Cardinal Rampolla' q election
are practically nil This belief quite ac-
N wi, hot
Ia for Ponifr OF the Vannutelli stamp.
Not the slightest pressure will he exerted
in this direction, however, for such influence
would obviously defeat its own ends. Any
candidate openly advocated by the Italian
authorities would have no chance of success.
prominent Cardinal discussing with
the correspondent of THE Sun to-day the
probable length Of the Conclave, said that
much will depend upon the first ballot.
1.-two candidates show about equal strength
II Ia likely that the Conclave will be rather
prolonged, especially il it becomes necessary
to agree upon a third candidate. The
Cardinal considered it probable that If
any candidate secures a strong lead he will
be made Pope Immediately by the process
OF accession-that is. allowing the Cardinals
at a later session to change their votes cast
at the morning session, as was explained
In yesterdays despa tches to THE SUN.
1t has been decided, in view of the large
number Of participants in the Conclave
and the infirm condition Of several of them,
TO take two regular ballots daily, and to
make the accession process available i'm
mediately after any ballot, without several
hours delay, as was at first contemplated.
The Sistlne Chapel is ali prepared for the
concIave. Sixty-four thrones have been
erected. They are all draped with violet,
except that Of the Camerlengo, which is
draped In green,
The other preparations were completed
To-day with the exception OF finishing the
quarters for the guards. A huge brick wall
plastered on the inside now separates
the Castle San Damasco from the rest of
tho Vatican.
general idea Of the finished appearance
OF the Cardinals cells was obtained from
The one allotted to Cardinal Langenieux,
which tho correspondent was allowed to
inspect
The floors, walls and chairs are covered
with dark red fab rio. The same room
serves as bed room and sitting room, the
oed being separated from the rest OF the
room by screen OF the same dark red
fabric.
The furniture is simple, but elegant.
costly tapestries belonging to the Vatican