The Hattiesburg news. (Hattiesburg, Miss.) 1908-1917, 1913-03-22
If POPE Plus
SHOULD Die
ILLNESS OF HIS HOLINESS
CAUSES SPECULATION AS TO
HIS PROBABLE SUCCESSOR.

much as possible his interviews with
those members of the court OF the
Vatican who are compelled to confer
with him about current official bust
ness. That the venerable pontiff is
in extremely bad health is no longer
denied, though the true nature of his
ailments has not been disclosed. Ac-
cording to some, he Is suffering from
kidney disease. Others declare that IL
it is a hardening of the arteries. The
most optimistic take the view that his
weakness and depression arise from :
his last attack Of govt. r
While opinion differs as to the ma
| ture of the Pope's illness there is one
matter on which all we'll informed per-
sons in Rome seem agreed-that the |
somewhat stormy and eventful career ,
of Plus X is rapidly drawing to close.
This opinion is reflected in the dis
cussion as to his probable successor
on the chair of st. Peter. AS yet this
discussion is not heard beyond the
cardinals and there is not the slight
est sign of canvassing or intrigue
among the cardinals. Nevertheless the
persistence Of the disquieting reports
: in regard to the pope's health has
aroused deep interest in situation
into which a conclave may come at
any time. There is one point about
succession to bear in mind. 1t Is that
the next pope will not be one OF their
y number. Nor will he be one who speaks,
y as native to it, the English language. In
y deed, the pope is certain to be an 1tal-
ian The American and English cardi-
OIL nails, of whom there are six who speak
Ill English as a native tongue, are not
on in close touch with the ruling forces
of the church, since most Of them are
of but recent appointment, and all
re reside long distances from Rome
OF Precedence in the sacred college is Of
Tor slow growth, perhaps slower than II
1c' any other great body. 1t is therefore
vel only men of years and Of familiarit!
lol- with conditions who can hope to rule
except in cases of emergency.
In the sacred college at the momen
there are three factions. The exaC
strength of each is not known. Fac
has its candidate in the sense that
,m each there is one cardinal who Is
Il leader. There may, therefore, be sa
- to be three cardinals who stand o
above all others as most likely, we
a conclave to be held at this time,
Or be chosen to the great chair.
The first is Cardinal Rampolla, t
former secretary of state, a menu
of the Ouria or administrative body
the church, and the head priest of
Peters Cathedral. Cardinal Rampo
Mis- ia considered to be almost certain
sex thirty votes among the sixty-tWo "
, an voted for him at the last concla
IN. It when Austria's veto prevented his ell
IN of ton. It may be assumed that tn
but who voted for him at the last c
cleo clave will again support him. WI
Gov It is known that many Of his forl
primal adversaries are now MS supper.
,e es- Furthermore, there will be no mem
this of a veto at the next conclaVe.
= fire. Cardinal Rampolla stands loren
ave a among the leaders in the Cain
i'd not church who would prlng inc V"'
zident into line with modern thought I
os he arn action. modern methods. Few
have in the world have a wider pers
acquaintance or greater corresp
Loot a once list. and were he chosen
exer- whole world, Catholic and Profess
,tbori- would hail the step as one OF
f;cials. ress along perfectly safe lines IL
Ia vice ligion and scholarship
cilmen Cardinal De Lal' aiso iloN.',
" have the Curia, perhaps stands second
,innian IN Cardinal Rampolla as a possl
One for the chair of st. Peter. In
ng As. respects he is the exact opposl
o. men the former secretary of state.
~ gov. tendencies are reactionary anC
,o,, n s+ands for a continuance of the
raining ent policies. He Is close pei
breach friend of Pope Plus x, who last
les will promoted him TO tne eAoiusi'e
the stu cardinal olsnops' anu e"'0
see of Sabina-
,ited as The third Of the so-called II
candidates is Cardinal Maffi, arc
ton, II; op OF Pisa VINO mas 'n0 -.
ce, 4S. living OUTSIDE Oh Nome
den. ST. a member Of the Curia. He Is
hon SO. ern man in all respects but
date for modern one as 70 nsVe :.
unced. ing In the sacred c0ieeo' -
= p. " with the italian government
D. Dun pope would cooperate with 1t &c
tent that others might not He