New Britain herald., 1914-08-20
Debressi0n Oper Clash 0f Arms Europe Claims Le 0f PontiH Wh0 Guided the Roman Catholic World
 for the Past Elepen Yeays
Biography of Late Pontiff Comprises an Interesting History of a Soul De-
 voted to Its Creator.


 which he adopted as his motto in an encyelical issued on November 10, 1903, six days after he had been ele- vated to the pontifcate, were on the lips of Pope Plus x as he entered the valley of death.
 The end, which came at 1:2O o'clock this morning, was peaceful. few moments before he had been reused from semi-consciousnes ess and attem pted to bestow blessing upon those gathered in the chamber, bur his strength failed him. After a pause he murmured the Scriptural text and did not speak again.
 The death of the pontiff in the eightieth year of his life and tine twelfth year of his pontifcate, while long anticipated because of ailments incident to advanced age, nevertheless came as shock even to those near him. For several days he had been suffering from gouty catarrh, but on Tuesday his physicians declared that the trouble was of no great inn portance and yesterday morning re- assuring reports concerning the pa tient were current.
 Change Came Suddenly.
 The change came suddenly during the forenoon yesterday, and early in the afternoon those in attendance an- nounced that death was imminent.
 Similar attacks had been resisted with the aid of the pope's will power but depression over the clash of arms in Europe initiated against another recovery
 At o'clock last night the pontifr Experienced a distressing attack Of coughing. He could not move in bed without assistance and the struggle to breathe Nas painful to witness. As the supreme moment approached the coughing ceased and the restlessness which the doctors had been unable to relieve disappeared. The features of the patient, which had given evidence of his pain, resumed a normal express sion except for the pallor, which in- creased. as
 Calm Preceding Rest.
 The papal secretary of state, Car dinal Merry Del Val, Cardinals Fer rata, Cagiano and Bisleti, the popes two sisters and physicians, who were at the bedside, recognized the calm preceding eternal rest. pr. Marchia- fava, his hand on the pontiff's pulse, turned toward the papal secretary,
 
 head. Cardinal Merry Del Val un- derstood and covered his face with his hands Meantime Cardinal Van- nutelli, the pope's niece, Gilda Paro- lin, his major domo, Mgr. Bianchi, Mgr. Misciatelli, and his secretaries, Mgr. Bressan and Mgr. Pescini, had Joined the group in the chamber.
 The sisters and the pope's secre- taries could not restrain their sobs, and their voices seemed to bring back the pontiff from the coma into which he had lapsed. His eyes opened and his lips moved, and it was plain that he was making an effort to impart a final blessing. For a moment it seemed that dissolution had taken place, and then the lips moved again Together in one, all things in Christ he whispered.
 pr. Marchiafava released the wrist, which 1ropped pulseless on the pontiff's breast; the physician bent over the bed, listening for a heart that was stilled. "It is all over,' he said, and reverently kissed the pontiff's hand Tn turn the others did the same, after which they in1 toned prayers for the dead
 Candle Lights Flicker.
 Immediately after candle lights fickered in all the windows of the Vatican and the whole personnel of the apostolic palace, with the permis- sion of the papal secretary, passed by the body, kissing the hand of the pontiff as they passed.
 Throughout the night messa ges had been received from the heads of many states inquiring the condition of his holiness. All were immediately noti- fled of his death by Cardinal Merry Del Val.
 As is the practice at the Vatican the news of the death of the pope was withheld from the public until it had been officially announced to the vari- ous governments. Then it was made known here. The Italian premier, Signor Salandra, at once ordered that fTfe necessary measures be taken to guarantee the complete liberty of the nreyisional government of the church and of the sacred college of cardinals, which is the temporary custodian of inc supreme power of the church dur ing the interregnum pending the elec- ton of pope.
 Candidates Already Mentioned.
 The matter of conclave was dis cussed today. It was said that a ma siority of the cardinals are in favor of holding it in Rome as usual, and further because of the neutrality of Italy in the present war. Others, how ever, suggested that it would be bet ter to meet in Holland, country which they regarded as even more neutral than Italy. Among the can didates already mentioned are Car dinals MafH, De Lai. Ferrata, Agliardi, Pompii and Serafini. the latter for merly nuncio of Mexico.
 There is much interest in the mat