The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-04-19
Condition Compared to a Flame
of Pickering Lamp.
OREGLIA PROBABLE SUCCESSOR
Cardinal Notified That He Mdst
Be Prepared.
Believed That POntiff Has
Given Him Instructions.

Rome, April 19.-Little hope is en-
tertained at the vatican for the ulti-
mate recovery of the pope. Cardinal
Merry Del Val is reported to have said
| today that should the pontiff survive
his present illness there is small hope
that he will have sufficient strength
to again assume the active work of
the papacy.
Monsignor Parolin, the pope's
nephew, coming from the bed cham
Der tonight said:
Il regret small hope is entertained
for the ultimate recovery of the
pope. The pontiff's condition is now
like the flame of a flickering lamp,
liable to go out at any minute. While
his holiness has improved during thA
last Is hours, he is very weak and
the complications from which he is
suffering are a tremendous drain upon
his constitution"
PoDe's Probable Successor.
Aside from the actual condition of
the pope, the greatest interest in
Rome today was attached to the re-
appearance of Cardinal Oreglia, dean
of the Sacred college. and who holds
the office of Camerlengo or papal
cham berlain, who in the event of the
death of the pope would succeed him
as temporary head of the church un-
til the election of another pope by tho
college OF cardinals
Cardinal Oreglia is in his seth year
and for two years has been an invalid.
When he received word yesterday that
the death of the pope during the night
was feared, he arose from his bed,
ordered his coachman to keep his
coach in readiness as he might soon
go out driving.
Cardinal Oreglia also notified Car
dinal Merry del Val, papal secretary
of state, that in the event of the
pontiff'S death, he would be prepared
to assume the duties of his office. This
announcement astonished the vatican,
where the ability of the aged cardinal
to rise from his bed was sincerely
doubted. Cardinal Vannutelli, sub
dean of the sacred college, has been
considered the one who would fulfill
the office.
Pope Plus today summoned Car
dinal Merry del Val and held a long
consultation with the latter. 1t is be-
lieved that the pope gave the car
dinal certain instructions upon matters
concerning the church to be carried
out in case he does not recover.
Allowed to See His Brother.
For the st time since the begin
ming of the pope's illness Angelo Sarto,
his brother, was allowed to see him
this morning. Professor Marchiafava
had not permitted the meeting during
the critical period of the pope's indis-
position and the doctor insisted that
he be present today, as he feared the
emotion caused by the encounter be-
tween the two brothers might have a
bad effect on his patient angelo
Sarto, who is still sturdy, erect and
stalwart despite his age, approached
his brothers room with trepidation and
was overcome with emotion as he en-
tered. Both were in tears and Angelo
was only able to mutter between his
sobs the Venetian diminutive of the
popes name saying:
Dear Bepi, Dear Bepi."
The brothers started talking about
all kinds of subjects but Professor Mar
chiafava gently intervened and forced
Angelo from the room.
A rumor was circulated in Rome soon
afterward that the pope had suffered
from a fainting fit as a consequence OF
the emotion caused by the visit of his
brother. The report, however, was de-
MED officially at the vatican.
In Convalescent Stage Today.
For the first time since his illness
the pope and his sisters lunched at
the Vatican together with Angelo Sar-
to- his brother. This is considered
here as proof that the pope is really
entering in the convalescent stage. The
pope slept TRANQUILITY for two hours
this morning. His breathing was cas-
ier and his rest more refreshing than