The Montgomery advertiser., 1903-07-10

batting the approach of death. Although the conditions change from hour to hour, the essential conditions of mental alert ness and physical vigor continue un- | broken Never yet has there been the slightest lapse into incoherency." Question of Short Time. Whatever may be the outcome, the vat | ican world has fully made up it's mind ! that the demise of the Pope is only a question of days at the most, and prob ably only of hours. With this being the prevalent view, every detail for conduct ing the affairs of the church during the | interregnum and for carrying out the election of Pope Leo's successor Is sys- tematically arranging. Following advices ! from the vatican, the cardinals through | out the world are hurrying toward Rome. anticipating the holding of a conclave for | the choice of Pope. These preparations are undertaken in a spirit of profound grief and as the performance of a sacred duty.
 Vatican leading to the Pope's apartments has been thronged with distinguished vis- itors seeking information as to the Pope's condition. Practically the entire dipio- matic corps accredited to the Vatican and many cardinals were among the inquirers. The popular solicitude for the Pope's condition has led to an amelioration of
 
 High and low coming to ask about the Pcpe's condition were equally admitted to the inner room and bulletins signed by the doctors were conspicuously exhibited.
 One of the most remarkable features of the sick room Is the absolute simplicity and the entire absence of the usual elab- crate equipments found in the sick rooms of distinguished patients. There are no trained nurses. the only attendants be- sides the doctors being the Pope's valets Centra and De Castro
 The death of Mgr. Volponi was care- fully kept from the Pope throughout the day. It was at first feared that it would be necessary to inform the pontiff in or der that Mgr. Volponi's successor to the office of secretary to the consistory might be nominated, but after discussion by the Vatican authorities. it was decid- ed that the preceoents admitted of the nomination of a secretary without the intervention of the Pope.
 Can Be Withheld Indefinitely.
 The chief importance of the position is felt at the time of conclave so that 1t is considered essential to fill Mgr. Vol poni's place the Cardinal Camerlingo will designate a secretary of the consis- tory. This procedure will permit the news of Mgr. Volponi's death to be with held from the Pope indefinitely.
 When the amelioration in the condi- tion of the Pope presented most favora- ble symptoms this morning, Pope Leo decided. after Cardinal Rampolla, to re- ceive all the other cardinals living in Rome, to the number of about twenty five, as a special mark of his gratifica- tion at the part they took in his illness. A special notice was sent to them call ing to the Vatican. Cardinals Oregla, Gotti and Dellavolpe were received and had a short conversation with His Holi- ness. but soon after the dangerous con- dition of the patient developed, compell- ing pr. Lapponi to stop the other recep- tions.
 When a consultation was decided on, Dr. Rossoni being already in the ante chamber, pr. Lapponi cautiously inform ed the Pope that he had thought 1t, bet ter to ask the opinion and advice of an- other physician in view of the fact that the phases of the disease were so varia- ble. He added that nothing grave was the matter but that Dr. MaEzoni and he through conscientous scruples, wished to interrogate their colleague. pr. Rossoni. The Pope who by that time had again fallen into a state of prostration from which he been free for 36 hours. but whose intellect remained perfectly lucid, understood and received the news with calmness and serenity, saying that he would be glad to see Dr. Rossoni. Dr. Rossoni. on entering the bed room, bowed to the pontiff. saying he was highly hon. ored to visit him. He tried to encourage the sick man. The Pope answered in a