The New York herald., 1921-02-17

~
Is months old, was brought into the
room Caruso's face would light up
when he saw his daughter and he would
smile, though he could not always speak
William j. Guard. publicity secretary
~ the Metropolitan Opera Company
called at the hotel late In the afternoon.
lie said after his visit that Caruso irnly
believed that he was going to live.
1--we can know very little about him
now" said MIR. Guard, except that his
morale Is excellent. He wants to live,
and that great desire may pull him
ss-ayEh."
the Rev T.. L. Molllne!li. who ad-
minstered the last rites of the Roman
Catholic Church early yesterday morn
ing, called again In the afternoon.
Caruso was quoted as ing to Father
Mollinelli:
Il have made my peace with my God,
and I feel there is no need OF sour call
ing again.
Another caller was the Rev P,> r.
Meili Of the Church OF the Blessed Sac
rament Paterson. y. J. 1t was Father
Melli who stened little Gloria Caruso.
He said that Caruso appeared to be
comfortable and that now and then he
spoke
widespread Interest shown.
Ten telephone calls minute were re-
ceived at the Vanderbilt all during the
day. Two extra telephone operators
were put on duty TO handle these calls.
Many persons went TO the hotel 10 in
quire about Caruso's condition. and tele-
grams were sent from many parts OF the
country.
Despite the hopeful expressions from
physicians and friends there wac feel
ing--it was evident whereNe, neople
talked about the case-that Caruso I'D
die The statements that he was neS--
ing his own" although meant 10 oe
cheerful. could not hide the knowledge
that the singers condition was extremely
grave. He might live for twenty-four
hours or even a little longer IL was de-
clared but his weakened condition made
It impossible to have more than a glim-
Iner of a hope.
Park BENJAMIN. Jr., left the apart
rnent for few minutes during the
afternoon. He said Caruso was holding
10 the Improvement he had made during
the morning. His tone was cherries.
Crisis Not Unexpected.
The present crisis was not unex-
rected, 1t was learned from authoritative
sources For nearly two weeks. it was
said. Caruso has shown decreasing
strength as result OF the drain from
the pleurai cavity resorted to several
weeks ago when his trouble first be-
came acute. lie has shown increasing
nervousness and irritabillty and for ten
days only few persons have been per-
rnitted to see him. Meanwhile he has
become somewhat emacated. looking
like only a pale shadow of the Caruso
OF two months ago.
Caruso's son. Enrico, Jr. is on his
way to New York from the Culver Mill
tary Academy In Indiana He left Gull
yer at 10 80 o'clock yesterday morn
ing and Is due to arrive here early this
morning. At one time yesterday 1t was
thought that the son might be too late
to see his father alive.
1--WE are afra Id he won't live to see
his son again." said a friend who is
close TO the family. Even II he does
live that long. we can't see how he
could last much longer"
That was n few minutes before
o'clock. and Caruso at the time was in
q coma.
just Holding His Own.
After a consultation Of physicians at
II o'clock in the morning II was de-
clared that Carusos condition was i'm
proved but far from satisfactory. From
reliable sources IL was learned that his
temperature at 5 o'clock yesterday
morning was 1o2, his pulse 10 and his
respiration 2S There had been a slight
improvement N his condition then. He
began to rally, but beyond a certain
point he could not 90. He coub4 hold
his own. but that was all.
AT 2:2c o'clock in the afternoon Bruno
Zirato. secretary TO, Caruso, said: THE
rumor that Mr. Caruso's condition Is
not so good Is entirely unfounded. He
is resting quietly and his condition is
much better than it was last night"
AT the offices of the Metropolitan
Opera Company this statement was
made at II 30 o'clock yesterday morning:
Mr.. Caruso has rallied from a very
severe relapse. His present condition ~
not satisfactory. but there Is some Inn
provement"
II was said that when Father Molli-
nelli called at The APARTMENT yesterday
morning Caruso was conscious ani
recognized the priest
What's the matter7 What are YOU
doing here? am not going to die!'
said Caruso. thanking The priest for has
visit.
ROME. Feb. I6.--The news of Enrico
Caruso's grave condition hal caused
CONSERVATION here. for. although 1t was
known In Italy that he had been suf-
fering from a serious illness, there was
no thought that It might possibly end
fatally.
Many kilograms OF inquiry have been
sent TO New York by his compatriots.
who are greatly distressed. Their feel
ing has always been one OF pride that
Caruso for SO many years represented
the singing genius OF their race.
LYONS FIGHTS TO KEEP