The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-08-20
LIVE NEWS ABOUT ALL THE CHURCHES Three Great Figures in the
 Catholic Situation STUDENT VOLUNTEERS Views of Bishop Elect Winchester on the South-Why the Presby-
 terians Stay Apart-Min-
 isters and Peace
STUDENT VOLUNTEERS

New York. August 1s.-(Special.) )-While alarnist reports are not indulged in, 1t Is idle to hide the fact that in Rome and throughout the Catholic world the grayest are felt for the life of the present Pope. Plus x is in his 18th year. F rom the day of his elevation he mas been exceedingly sensitive, both as 10 his of the church and of hirn- self as holy father. It is known that he takes keen interest and insight into his own physical condition. and that that con- dltion much affects his mental attitude. Just now tremendous questions await ac- ton. Relations with Spain and Portugal, much needed new cardinals to perform the actual work of central administration, South America projects, and grave de- velopments likely at any moment to be- come acute in Austria, are among them.
 Upon the death of Pope Plus K in 1878, and Leo XIII in 1903, there was uncer- tainty from a human point of view, as 10 who might be chosen to head the Cath olio church. Names of a dozen cardinals were mentioned, and In 1903 at least eight were voted for in the conclave. At pres ent the very unusual situations obtains that not only is 1t well known who will be chosen to succeed, but even the Pope to come after him Is fairly well indicated. Of course conditions may change. One may himself fall III, for he Is not in the best of health and new pontificate IT. ay raise up new leaders who will spoil what now appear to be papal destinies.
 The three prelates towering above all others in the Catholic church, after the i, rJ5 vii of Ma rlanus Cardinal Rampolla del Tindaro, Raphael Cardinal Merry del Val, and Ca jetan Cardinal de Tai. That these pre- lates hold the positions they do is, In no small part due to the attitude >toward them of Pope Plus X. AS everybody knows, Cardinal RampoIa would have been the pontiff In place of the Patriarch of Venice in 1903 had it not been for the action of the Empire of Germany, the present one, through Influence of the veto power then, but not now, possessed by Austria. After some years rest he is now in active harness, and he is so upon ap- peal oS the Pope himself so If he succeeds in 1911 or 1912, as he did not in 1903, 1t will be a continuation of the harmony in the succession. That is, Cardinal Rampolla will not be put forward by enemies of the present Popes policy, or supposed enc
 mics, but by friends.
 Unless Cardinal Rampolla's health fail declinations are not considered by con claves-he will be elected the next Pope whenever a conclave Is held. Preparatlons are making for a consistory, but it is ad- mtted at this time that there is far more
 likelihood of conclave than Of a on sistory. The cardinal Is in his 18th year.
 but that Is not counted too old. His commanding prominence Is admitted cn all sides. And it must be added that con idence in his ability to adjust many present perplexities, after his great ser vice and experience as secretary of state to Leo XIII, is4very great In many quar- lters.
 Cardinal Merry del Val is not, of course
 to be considered in the conclave. He is a Spaniard on his fathers side, and an
 Englishman on his mothers side. As the next Pope will be an Italian he will not be chosen. That he holds his office upon the confidence of Pope Plus X every body knows. He holds 1t more firmly than ever before. While secretary of state he does not act upon the death of his master
 is the Camerlenge who administers af- fairs between the death of one Pope and the election of another. nThe Camerlengo is the aged Cardinal Oreglia, but he has just passed his S3d birthday.
 Within the last three years Cardinal de Lai has forged to the fore largely through his own merits, which have been recognized by Plus X. Tor a young man, one of the youngest in the Sacred college, his influence is very great, and while he has been active he has made fewer ene- mics than has Cardinal Merry del Val. He Is now in close touch not only with the Pope, but also with Cardinals Rampolla and Del Val. Some say it is because he is a Venetian. having been born just outside the city of Venice in 1853, and because Plus K Is partial to everything Venetian, but those who know best say the cause is to be found in his own extraordinary ability to get things done. He was ere ated cardinal at the last consfstory held by Pope Plus X, which was at the very end of 191 and he holds the low rank of cardinal deacon, with his name last In the list. So marked is his prestige, how ever, that in Rome it Is openly said he will, if he live, succeed Cardinal Ram polla eventually as the Vicar of Christ on earth. A part of his prominence at pres ent is due to his position as secretary of the consistory, perhaps the most import ant of all the congregations, and one of the two of which the Pope is himself the prefect or head