The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-07-27
Becoming Corpulent, They Re-
sent Performance OF Mill
tary Duties.
FAITHFUL FOR CENTURIES
Many Years OF Idleness Brings
Them in Conflict With
Vatican. Il,
ny CAMILLE cIANFAR.R..

Especial Gable to The mes-pispatch. I
London. July 26.-Bad feeling which
for some time has existed among the
rank and file Of the Swiss Guards
az the Vatican reached a climax the
other day in omen rebellion that. al
though quickly quashed. affords fur
Their proof that the movement begun
some time ago. which threatened to
disrupt the little army intrusted with
the defense OF the sacred palaces. still
exists and that even His Holiness
failed to restore the cordial relations
which formerly existed between the
soldiers and their superiors
The Swiss Guards reputation for
faithfulness to the Holy See dates back
several centuries. The first mutiny
known took place during the early
reign of Pope Leo Nil, when some
privileges the Guard had enjoyed since
time immemorial were taken away by
order OF the Pontin himself.
Fought Nninly to Snvc Tins.
THESE privileges consisted mainly
Of certain tips which the curia car
d!nals. as we'll as those from foreign
countries and visiting prelateA we're
required TO bestow on the defenders
OF the church. but in recent times the
custom had grown TO such a nuisance
as 10 discourage prelates of moderate
means from visiting the Vatican
That nutiny was ended by the pope,
who, on the very day the Guards DISC
bcNed their officers. sent word 70 them
through his private secretary that
those who We're not pleased with the
new order of things could leave at once
for Switzerland. The result was only
the rinSleadcrs went and the remain
der OF the small force of men resigned
themselves TO the loss OF the tips.
Like Supers in Theatre.
For many years things Went smooth
". The Guards, though deprived of e
substantial addition 10 their pay. WERE
on the other hand, required TO do but
little work merely mounting guard at
tho several entrances OF the Vatican
and paradinS before the Pope once or
twice year.
During the last few years of the
reign of Leo MIL the Swiss Guards
led quiet, sedentary life, devoid Of
all excitement, although the then com
mander, Baron Mayer Won Schanensee,
often endeavored to make them a pre-
sentable body OF soldiers. At his death
the Guards resembled more a lot OF
corpulent theatrical supers than the
twentieth century embodiment OF a
once brilliant corps.
Cause of Recent Trouble.
The trouble which the other day
eliminated in an assault on Sergeant
Pralong by the soldiers. and four days
later in open rebellion TO the orders
Of Captain Gassou, began two years
ago. when Colonel Rewoud was ap-
pointed commander OF the Swiss
Guards.
Colonel Rewoui. strict discipline
rian, tried 10 reform the corps and TO
restore the discipline OF which there
was no trace left
The old rusty muskets OF 1870 model
were Immediately discarded and the
parade grounds were visited once more
The men were required TO don fatigue
uniforms and devote long hours to
target practice. as we'll other mill
tary duties under the vgilant eye OF
the colonel.
The men protested but the colonel
threatened to resign unless he was al
lowed free hand. In time. the old
rlotous element was weeded out and
new men were brought from the Alpine
villages
Frnscati Wine Makes Trouble.
These recruits. although more amen
able 10 the strict discipline. developed
peculiar fondness for Frascati wine.
which is said to have a strange effect
on northern organisms saturated with
beer During the last few months the
cantecn has been doing hourishing
business. but It was noticed that dis
c.pline was on tile wane
Recently Colonel Rewoud discovered
the reason ana issued an order limit
ing each man To four gls asses OF wine
day. This the Guards interpreted as
an insult 70 their manhood They pro-
tested and then mutinied
The net result is that 81 number OF
the members OF the corps are now
on the way 10 Switzerland. never again
TO don the uniform which Michael An
cello designed for the Papal Guards.