The Bridgeport evening farmer. [volume] (Bridgeport, Conn.) 1866-1917, 1913-09-13
Reform Of Vatican
Army Is Under WaV

Rome, Sept. 13-In consequence OF
series of incidents, the most recent
of which was the mutiny of the Swiss
Guards. the Vatican authorities are to-
day. taking steps to reform the tiny
but historic army under their control.
Although consisting of less than 300
men. the armed forces of the Holy See
comprise five different corps. They
are the Noble Guards. Swiss Guards,
Palatine Guards, Gensdarmes and
Firemen. or as they are called,
Guards of the Fire.
The most important of these is the
Noble Guards. Constituted as it is to-
day, this organization dates back to
a little over one hundred years. The
ever, first came into existence in 14S4,
having been organized as IA papa1
guard in the time of Innocent VIII
They were, however, disbanded in
1888 when Plus VI was carried off to
France, whence he never returned In
1901 an agitation was started in Rome
among the aristocracy again to form
a bodyguard for the Pontiff, and an
address was sent to Plus VII, offering
their services gratuitously. To this
Plus replied by message from his Sec
retary-of-State, dated May IL, 1901,
which may be called their act of foun-
dalton, and which provided that the
corps consist of sixty individuals,
men and officers. Now they are re-
duced to about fifty and their com
smand. which was hereditary in the
Barberini and AItieri families, has
lately passed to the Rospigliosi, the
present commander being Prince Ca
milo The American connections Of
this family are notable, Prince Ca
milo having two sons, both of whom
married American girls. The wife
of one was Miss Ethel Julia Bron-
son. of New York, while the other
made Miss Mildred Haseltine his wife.
The Rospigliosi are very proud of
having had the Communicating of the
Noble Guard conferred upon them,
as thereby they take rank with the
i've other Houses which hold here6it-
airy positions at the Papa1 Court.
These are the two Princes-Assistants
OF the PapaI Throne, namely the heads
of the Orsini and Colonna families,
deadly rivals in the Middle Ages; the
Master Of the Sacred EeSpfce, who is
the head of the Ruspoli family; the
Standard Bearer of the Holy Church,
the Head of the Patrizi-M ontoro; and
the Marshall Of the Conelave, the
Head of the Chigi-
To that warrior-Pope of the Della
Revere House, Julius II, who threw
the keys of st. Peter into the Tiber,
saying that he had more need of the
sword of st. Paul. who built the Cas-
tie of Ostia and fortified the Monas-
terry of Grottaferrata, and who was
hoisted up in a, basket to inspect the
siege works of Bologna the forma-
tion of the famous Corps of the Swiss
Guard was due.
The Palatine Guard formerly was
composed of members of the upper
niddleclaSs, but it is now recruited
from among shopkeepers and small
tradesmen, belonging to Catholic clubs
and societies in Rome.
The Papade Gensdarmes owe their
origin to the time when Plus VII
was in exile after having been kid
mapped and taken to France by a
General obeying the instructions of
the great Bonaparte.
Finally, there is the body of Fire
men. composed of about thirty men
well trained and prompt who, how
ever on several occasions, have not
despised the assistance of their fellow
fremen of the King of Italy.