The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1921-03-24
Passes Into Comatose
Condition Early This
Morning and Did not
Revive. Was Taken
Seriously Ill in D e =
cember but Showed
Signs of Improvement.

Baltimore, Md, March 24--Car-
dinal Gibbons, archbishop Of Balti-
more and primate of the American
Catholic church, died here today after
a prolonged illness which mainly af-
fected the heart. He was in his eighty
seventh year. The end came peace
fully.
The cardinal had been showing pro-
nounced signs of improvement since
his return home early in January from
Union Mills, Maryland, where he was
taken seriously i'll in December He
suffered a relapse Palm Sunday even
ing after returning from an automo-
lille ride. The sudden weather changes
had a depressing effect. Painting
spells returned and he was put to bed
when it was realized by his friends
that he would probably never arise.
James Gibbons was born in Balti-
more July %, 1884. Taken by his
family to their former home in Ireland
he began his education there. He re-
turned with his family in 1848 and re-
sided in New Orleans. He entered St
Charles College, Maryland in 1856
and was transferred in 1857 to ST.
Mary's Seminary in Baltimore. He
was ordained asra priest in 1861, and
accepted the pastorate of church In
the suburbs of Baltimore. He filled
many positions of importance in the
church before his investiture with the
insignia of cardinal in 1886.
He wrote much, three of his books
being THE Faith of Our Fathers
"Our Christian Heritage "The Am
bassador to Christ"
Cardinal Gibbons, as senior bishop
of the church, Welded strong in
fluence outside as well as within the
United States. The confidant of three
popes, he made several important
tours to Rome, the last in August.
1914, few days after the opening OF
the war, to participate in the cere-,
mony that elevated Benedict to the
Pontificate.
Upon returning to the United States
he visited President Wilson, informed
the latter of affairs in Europe and dis
cussed means to bring about peace.
The Cardinal was strongly interest
ed in the affairs of the. church in
Mexico during the troublous times in
that country and declared that he
feared fighting would never cease un
der the Carranza regime. 1t was
largely as a result of his efforts that
the condition of the clergy and nuns
of Mexico was ameliorated..
Active for the Allies
Cardinal Gibbons was active in his
work for the Allies in the war and in
a letter written to the Catholics of the
archdiocese of New York in 1917 when
the United States entered the conflict,
urged the fullest support of the gov
ernment. A few months previously
he sent $4,000 to the American COM
mittee in London for the relief of the
Belgians, one of the many notable in
stances of his benevolence. In a SER
mon at Baltimore, in 1918, he praised
the speech of Llyod George and said
that Germany's war aims would fail
About the same time he explained
Benedict's war policy, an article
which SO pleased the Pope that he or
dered it translated and published
broadcast. In it he asserted sympathy
with the Allied aim of winning the
war for permanent peace" To
achieve this result he also expressed
opposition to a cessation of hostili-
ties when Austria made fresh over
lures.
Decorated By France
Celebrating his 50th anniversary as
Bishop in Baltimore, on October 81,
1918, an event attended by ecclesias-
tics from all over the world, he re-
ceived among many other gifts the
decoration Of Grand Officer Of the Le-
gion of Honor from France. Italy also
decorated him. A month later he
Joined with former President Roose-
welt, (whom had been friends for
years) in a message of cheer to
the American Expjeditionary Forces
On June 80, 1913, he observed his S3rd
anniversary as Cardinal-Archbishop
and the 50th year of his priesthood,
Cardinal Mercier, the heroic primate
Of Belgium, visited him on this occa-
sion.
Political Views
The Cardinals views on political
economic and sociological questions
were frequently sought by newspa.
pers. In interviews he endorsed the
PLAN for the establishment of the Jew.
ish Homeland in Palestine, he oppos.
ed the government ownership of pub
lie utilities, condemed divorce, praised
the work of the Salvation Amy IL
France, favored American military
training, importuned the clergy t.
fight Bolshevisn, demanded that th'
Turk should be driven from Europe
and appealed to the public to sippor
Americas entrance into the League
Of Nations. At convention OF Irisi
Nationalists in Philadelphia he ex
pressed hope that thte Paris Peac,
conference would make 1t possible IT
free Ireland He was one Of tn
adxgeatss tcr Neighhor Day, for stin II,