New Britain herald., 1922-02-02
NO VOTE FOR POPE
 LIKELY UNTIL FRI.
52 Cardinals Already in Rome
 Go Into Executive Session
0'CONNELL NOT YET THIEF
smoke Signals From Meeting Place of Sacred College Will bc Given tO Let Public Know When Choice Is Finally Made.

| Rome, Feb. 2.-(By the Associated i Iress) The conclave of the Sacred College to choose a successor 10 Pope Benedict NV began its sittings today.
 The 5a cardinals who are in Rome went into seclusion last night and when the great oak barrier at the en- trance Of the courtyard of St. Damazo was closed they were cut off from communication with the outside world until their task was done.
 Quick Choice Likely
 The balotinG is not expected to consume more than two days, and the next Pope, in the consensus of opinion | in Vatican circles will come from among the moderate section of the Sacred College. Neither the "irrecon- cilables" nor the peace party" which favors a closer relations with the Italian government is understood to have a chance to elect it's candidate, the moderates holding the balance Of power
 Signal by Smoke
 Crowds gathered today in St. Peters square to watch for the tell tale smoke wreaths from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel where the conclave sits. A ballot is taken on the morning and evening of each day the conclave is in session and, these smoke puffs are the only indication to the watchers as to is effected a little straw is burned with the voting papers, causing the smoke to assume dark color. When a choice is finally made the ballots, burning alone emit thin wisp of light smoke.
 Strict Secrecy #.. .
 Until the election is effected the only communication between the approxi- mately 25O persons in the'vatican and the outside is through the "rota" or turning box at the entrance of the courtyard and such communications as made in this way are not allowed to come to the attention of the Card inals. Penalty for violation of this secrecy is communication.
 To Meet O'Connell .
 Monsignor Mahoney. spiritual di- rector of the American college has gone to Naples to meet Cardinal IOConnell, archbishop of Boston who is a passenger on the steamship Pres idente Wilson, due Saturday. As in 1914. when Pope Benedict was elect ed, Cardinal O'Connell may arrive in Rome too late to participate in the conclave.
 Meals For Three Days
 The confidence that the conclave would be of short duration is shared ! by Cardinal Gasparri who, in making provisions yesterday for the susten- ance of the cardinals only provided ! menus for today. tomorrow and Sat urday. Others who believed the cleo tion would he brief pointed out that the Cardinals generally were in favor of a continuation of the late Pontiffs nothing to do but choose man who would follow that program.
 Moderatcs Hold Power
 As the conclave convened it appear ed that the "irreconcilables" headed by Merry del Val and the peace party under Gasparri could each count on about 20 votes the remaining l2 constituting the moderate section. The candidate of Merry del Vals group was said to be Cardinal La Fon- -alne, while any one of the Cardinals Maffi or Ratti was said to be acceptable to those favoring a rap orochement with the Quirinal Card nal Laurent was mentioned as a candidate who might be put forward )y the moderates and fully satisfac- ory to both factions. Cardinal Marini has influenza and will be unable to attend the conclave. The first ballot will probably not be aken until Friday morning.