The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-07-06
His Holiness Rapidly Sinking and May Pass Away at
 Any Moment
MANY CANDIDATES TALKED
 OF AS LEO'S SUCCESSOR
Cardinal RampoIIa Seems to be One of the Strongest Probabilities,
 While the Mantle May Fall r on Shoulders of oreeIia.

Rome, July 6.-(6 a. m)-"Gods will be done Who would have believed it, when only ten days ago I was presiding over A public consistory?' feebly murmured Pope Leo as he felt himself late last ey- ening sinking into sleep which lasted about three hours until excruciating pain brought the dying pontin back to con seriousness. He groaned and complained of pains on both sides of the thorax. Ten derly pr. Lapponi, assisted by Pope Leo's valet, Piocentra, and the physician's sec ond assistant, lifted the frail form, and changing the position, succeeded in giv- ing the patient some relief.
 Though lowering on the brink of death the life of the pontiff Is still prolonged by means of strong stinnulants and con centrated nourishment, and while he is still barely alive, his wonderful vitality may again resist and conquer the attack of this illness. Late last evening" after the excitement of the ceremony or the last sacraments was over, the pope seemed less restless, partly soothed by the religious service and partly by dose of chloroform, which was given In considerable quantity.
 
 drawn up to a window overlooking the piazza of St. Peters. The only picture in the room Is an antique Madonna, and the sole ornament is a great ivory crucihx.
 Within the Vatican.
 The interior of the vatican during the early hours of this morning testlhes to the conviction that the passing of Pope Leo is very near. The court yard of St. Damaso is filled with the carriages of fte cardinals Cardinal Satolh drove 10 Rome from Frascau this evening, the beautiful carriage horses arriving cover ed with dust and precipitation In the Cortile are drawn up the carriages Of the cardinals and of many notables Servants and. messengers hurry across the court with bundles of huge wax tapers and with the robes of the ecclesiastical digni- taries who are waiting within the palace. The ante chambers of the palace were all through the night thronged with princes of the church, high noblemen and mem bers of the domestic corps Telegrams of inquiry have been received from several of the monarchs of Europe.
 All kinds of speculations are already in circulation as to the probable successor to the throne of St. Peter. Opinions are much divided, owing to the many interests which will be affected according to the choice made by the sacred college. The first question the cardinals will have to
 
 be held in Rome or outside of Italy. It Is believed that the supporters of the idea of abandoning Rome will be even fewer than in the conclave held after the death of Plus K, when thirty-two out of thirty seven cardinals voted in favor of Rome. The second question will be whether the next pope must be an Italian or for eigner.
 The New Pope.
 It is generally believed that he will be an Italian, because. in view of the strug- gle between the church and the state since the fall of the temporal power, and the constitution of United Italy, all the clergy, as well as the clerical party, and even foreigners, think that an Italian pope can protect better than a stranger the religious and political interests of the church.
 The candidates chiefly spoken of are Cardinal Rampolla and Cardinal Serafino vannuttelli. They are both representa- tives of the conservative party, but are bitter antagonists of each other. Cardinal Rampola is a very warm Francophile, while Cardinal Vannutteli Is averse to the policy inaugurated by the present pontificial secretary of state assuming the power to which he has adhered for fifteen years. The most probable liberal candidates are Cardinal Bishop Agliardi and Cardinal Priest Satolli whose breadth of views and love of modern ideas have been strengthened during his stay In America. The most probable religious can ddates are Cardinal Priest Gotti, who would carefully avoid mixing in politics, and Cardinal Priest Angelo Di Pietro. who also has the desirable prerequisite of old age, being 75 years old. These cam ddates live in Rome, but a strong party which might include a good many foreign cardinals, advocates the election of | cardinal who Is not a member of the Curia, such as Cardinal Sato patriarch of Venice; Cardinal Ferrari, archbishop of Milan both intransigeant, or Cardinal i Capecelatro, archbishop of Capua, who Is perhaps the most learned member of the Sacred college. and has conciliatory Ideas.
 The First Ballot.
 It is believed that the first ballot will be merely a test in which nobody will be elected but 1t will be used to see which way the wind blows. It is considered cer- tain that if Cardinal Rampolla sees the impossibity of succeeding to the pom tificar throne. he will throw all his strength in favor of an outsider, with view to preserving his candidacy for the next conclave. Under these circum- supposed that Cardinal Oreg- r the Sacred college, will be
 le is 75 years old, and lately
 IS attack of pneumonia.
 Al tfr plans, especially those drawn
 ft ardinals of the curia, may be 4e the attitude of the cardinals -r m outside Rome, principally Things might be pushed to
 as to induce a portion of the
 m the provinces to ally with ltr fso cardinals, in which case alone XXX m be a possibility of a foreign tau f ever. no French or Spanish 4r id command the votes of the .rr-a r. English or vice versa. so that
 tunity arises for cardinal to be chosen. the most authoritative mem