The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1922-02-03
FIRST VOTE
ON P0PEIS
/ RUTHLESS
Smoke From Vatican indi-
Gates Initial Ballot Was
Without Result.
By FRANK e. MASON.
IntsrnaslennI NeHa serxice.

ROME. Feb. 3.--A thin column
Of black smoke issuing from the
Sistine chapel chimney this morn
ing proclaimed that the conclave
of Roman Catholic cardinals had
taken their first ballot in the
election Of q new pope without
making q selection. Another bal
lot WIN b taken ! late ip the
afternoon. .s "a "
sssslAvss< - .c~rdas,t 4.
= Ths sisy - nous bn was
given just<a.- -tore noon.
Fffty-three cardinals participated
In the vote. During the initial part
Of the conclave ritual only fifty.
two cardinals were present. but
subsequently Cardinal Marini. who
was III OF influenza. was carried
into the Sistine chapel and put to
bed. He n under the care OF q
physician and his ballot 10 con.
veyed to the ballot chalice by .
committee of three cardinals ap-
pointed for that purpose.
Large crowds had gathered upon
square intentiy watching the Sistine
chapel window for the first sign Of
smoke. II the fumes from the
chimney had been grayish white
Jas from the burning of paper) the
oulookers would have known that
q Pope had been chosen. II was
anticipated, however, mat tho first
ballot would result In no election.
Belief was expressed that there
would not be a choice until late
Saturday or possibly Monday
Cardinals Wear violet.
The fifty-three cardinals Of the
conclave are immured from the out.
side world an completely as though
they were living on another planet.
Communication with the outside IL
absolutely impossible.
During the ceremonies OF ballot.ng
the cardinals wear the "croccia," q
cloak will not be removed until q
successor is chosen to the late Bsne-
dict XIV. Il.
As the actual ballotine began,
claims. were made by adherents OF
CardsGal Gasparri. papal secretary of
state, that the Reconciliation fac
ton" was gaining strength.
The Gasparri group wishes to
carry out the policy OF the late Pope
Benedict XIV for reconciliation be-
tween the Vatican and italian state.
Crowds Greatly Excited.
Much excitement was caused by
false reports while the expectant
crowds were watching for the first
puff Of signal smoke. Finally when
fumes began emerging from the
chimney they appeared to be q
Rrayish white and a shout went up
that q Pope had been elected. The
crowd began rushing toward St.
Peters to receive the first blessing
from the new pontiff WREN the cry
was raised: "It is black"
Evidently the dampened straw
which Is burned with the ballots
when there is no election had not
caught the blaze immediately. The
crowds halted and returned to their
watching posts, Hundreds brought
stools and food, prepsred to spend
the entire day in vigil.
The hope OF Americapc that Car
dinal O'Connell would arrive In time
for the balloting received q setback
this afternoon when wireless
message was received from the
italian liner Presidente Wilson.
bearing the American cardinal, that
she had been delayed and would
not dock until daybreak, Monday.
The liner was compelled to put
in at Algfers, evidently by storms
or mechanical trouble. Cardinal
O'Conneli sailed from New York
January ~ and hoped to reach here
tomorrow, February 4.