The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1903-07-07
ROOM FILLED WITH OXYGEN.
To Maintain the Pontiff's Strength Was
the Main Task.

/ o MSiHCa!n InG OTlii SLECIidtii w CO
the Main Task.
ROME, July 6.-As the pope OBJ
jected to having the oxygen inhaling
apparatus continually under his nos
trils, DIR. Lapponi arranged to impreg-
nate the whole atmosphere of the room
with oxygen.
THAT is much better" said the
pontiff. Before felt as though 1
had lost my liberty"
Although DR.. Lapponi continually
recommends the patient not to speak
and to pay no attention to what IS
passing outside. the pope gently re-
fuses to abandon participation in what
is going on. He said, smiling, to DR..
Il know you say this because Of
your affection for me, but either my
last day is rapidly approaching, in
which case 1 must employ all the time
which is left to me. so far as | can, or
else I shall recover, again postponing
the end. If this is the will of the AL
mighty, nothing can change it."
The pope wished his armchair to be
carried near his writing table and
then to the window overlooking the
piazza of st. Peter Noting many peo-
pie in carriages, the pope said:
1.-The piazza looks as it did when I
was able to perform some public func-
ton"
DR.. Lapponi's chief task, now is the
maintenance of the pope's strength.
Some Improvement was indicated this
afternoon by the fact that the patient
was more willing to take nouriShment
which was administered at short in
tervaIs, and consisted chiefly of Bor-
deauX, champagne, raw eggs and
broth, but the doctor would not per-
init the pope to partake of anything
beyond reason for which he express
ed desire, as there is special danger
in the possibility of increased weak
ness. The only persons allowed in the
, pope's bedroom this morning, besides
the doctors and attendants. were Car
dinal Rampolla. Mgr. Bisleti. the mas
ter of the pontifical chambers, and
Brig. Gen. Count Camello Pecci. of the
Noble guard, a nephew of the pope.
The pope conversed for a long time
with Count Pecci. even rising and
walking about the room for a few min
utes, leaning on his arm. The pontiff
on this occasion Remarked:
Now L am ready to depart, having
settled all my affairs I feel 1 have
done all in my power for the good of
the church and of humanity"
The pope during the day also re-
ceived Count Ricardo Pecci, another
nephew, and spoke to him with great
serenity on the probability that he
would not long be with him, and the
pontiff received his secretaries, Mgrs.
Angel and Marsolini conversing with
them regarding personal affairs, in
structing them about his writings and
giving directions as to the disposal of
his books.
In Vatican circles there seems to be
dissatisfaction because of the rumors
In circulation that those in authority,
instead of preventing the pope from
everlasting his failing strength, have
for their own purposes urged him,
contrary to his physicians advice. to
further exertion. 1t has been limited
that those who mibht be eligible can
dldates for the chair of st. Peter would
not have many regrets should the way
be left open without more deIay. and
that, regardless of the pontiff's feeble
ness, they worked upon his harmless.
natural pride in the vigor of his con-
stltutlon and his venerable age to en-
courage him to preside at the two re-
cent consistories, as we'll as to under
take numerous receptions of pilgrims
and other visitors to the Eternal CITY.
Notwithstanding the precarious condi-
ton of his health since the operation
OF 1899, which had grown much worse
during the last few months. Such in
slnuauons are theoretically repudiated
by those concerned