The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1922-02-03
Election of New Pope Affected
by the JeaIousies Of the
Nations of Europe.
PRO-GERMAN may Be NAMED
America.s ATTITUDE Toward the Genoa
Conference Shantung Question Near
Settlement In Washington-Sec-
rotary Wallace's Agricultural
,Cnnfab Develops Much
Friction.
BY EDWARD w. PickARD

A Ii Europe and in a lesser degree
"A all America is interested in the
selection of a pope to succeed Bene-
dict XIV. The sacred college has been
summoned to meet on February 2 for
this purpose and the cardinals are
all hurrying to Rome. Those from
the United States and Canada cannot
reach the Eternal city In time for the
opening of the conclave unless it is
postponed, and may be too late even
to participate in the election. This,
however, is unlikely, since the cam
paign, if one may so term it, is be-
coming so complicated that the choice
of pope may be delayed. According
to Italian correspondents, the main
issue is again what is called the
Roman questiOn-the question of re-
lations between the Vatican and the
Quirinaa. The Italian cardinals, who
are in the majority in the sacred col
lege, are divided into two camps on
this matter, some supporting the poll
cies Of Plus X who favored strong
church Independent Of the Italian
states. and some standing for Bene-
diets measures of rapprochement
with the Italian government, leading
up to final reconciliation. In the for
mer group the leading candidates are
Cardinals Boggiani. Merry del Val and
Laurent: in the latter, Cardinals Cas-
parri, Maffi, Ratti and vanutelli.
Cardinal La Fontaine of Venice had
been classed with the Plus group, but
1t is said Pope Benedict's dying wish
was that he be elected. The Italian
government is supporting the candi-
dacy of Maff because of his strong
nationalistic tendencies.
Though it is believed Cardinal Mer-
cier, the hero of Belgium, will receive
a large vote on the first ballot. 1t is
generally conceded that no non-Italian
can be elected. However, foreign ma
tions are concerning themselves great
ly in the affair and the international
jealousies and suspicious generated
by the World war are playing an i'm
portant part. France does not de-
sire that relations between the Vati-
can and the Quirinal shall be re-
stored, fearing she would lose the adj
vantage she now holds as the strongest
Catholic power Belgium and Poland
will vote as does France. Some of
the italian cardinals were quite SYM
pathetic toward the central powers
during the war and there was rumor
that they might combine with those
from certain other countries to elect
a pro-German.
After lying in state four days, dur
ing which time it was viewed by
many thousands of mOurners, the body
of Pope Benedict was carried on
Thursday into the choir chapel of st.
Peters church where the last rites
were performed Placed in a triple
casket of pine, lead and walnut, the
remains were then inferred in crypt
of the lower church. a part of the old
basilica which dates from the fifth
century. The official recognition of
the pope's death ordered by the Italian
government has been especially pleas
ing TO the Catholic church. Flags on
all government offices were half
stated.
a I THIS writing the United States