New-York tribune., 1922-02-04
Deadlock OH Cardinals
Casparri, La Foniaine.
Lauretti, Ratti Reported,
With Drift 10 Mercier
Crowd Confused
BY Wisp Of Smoke
PEf1' of White Mistaken by
Thousands of Watchers
rs Signal of Election
Special cable to The Tribune

CopyriEht l922. New York Tribune Inc
ROME, Feb. 3.-The first four ballots
taken by the Sacred College of Cardi-
nails to-day for the selection of new
Pope to succeed Benedict XIV resulted
in no decision. After the first two
ballots this morning a puff of white
smoke. the signal that a new Pontiff
had been chosen, went up from the
Vatican stack and caused great ex-
c'tement in st. Peters Square, where
thousands were awaiting the decision.
Ihc crowd pressed toward the balcony
from which the announcement of a
new Pope is alwavs made Immediately,
but it soon became apparent that the
white smoke was a mistake It's color
turned quickly to black. and guards
explained that the straw burned with
the voting papers had not been damp
encd sufficiently in the FIRST place to
make tho smoke black
Tonight as the sun was setting dark
smoke rose again from the chimney
signifying that the cardinals again had
been unable to reach an agreement.
Although authentic information from
within the Vatican is unobtainab bic
owing to Che elaborate precautions
taken to prevent the outside world
from knowing the result or the trend
before official announcement is made,
1T is rumored that to-day's voting was
divided into two groups, one favoring
Cardinals laurent. La Fontainc and
Ratt and the other supporting Card
nal Gasparri.
Mercier a Possibility
Another rumor earlier in the day in
Gicated the possibility Of the election
Of Cardinal Mcrcicr. The selection Of
Gasparr would be contrary to custom,
as no secretary to Pope has ever
succeeded to the pontificatc.
Over the bronze doors, behind which
the cardinals are immured until their
selection is made, flies the flag Of
Prince Chigi, hereditary marshal Of
the concave, proclaiming to the world
that until new Pope has been elected
the Vatican is absolutely under his
control-a custom dating back to the
eighteenth century when powerful
layman was needed to prevent an in
vasion of the palace. During a con-
clavc is the only time a layman con
trolls the Vatican.
When the Vatican doors had swung
shut last night the cardinals withdrew
to their quarters after a frugal meal
served in the large refectory. They
arose at 1890 this morning. The mas
ter of ceremonies, following the pro
cedure of former conclaves, entered the
room of each cardinal and notified him
% W.T. ho Chopo1 Of al ,b,,c
low mass was said and communion ad
ministered. Later the cardinals had
simple breakfast Of rolls and coffee
and entered the Sistine Chapel at 1O
o'clock
Around the sides of the Sstine
Chapel are voting stalls, one for each
cardinal. arranged in the order of their
rank. Near the chapel is a small dress
ing room in which are kept the vest
ments for the new pope. A varied as
sortment Of robes is kept to be sure
that they will fit the man chosen.
Room Hunted for Intruders
After all the cardinals had entered
the chapel, three Of them. with lighted
candles, examined every corner of the
room to make sure that no intruders
we're present. Then the balloting began
There are three approved forms OF
voting. The first, by inspiration, sup
posedly from the Holy Ghost, would re
suit in unanimous decision. The sec
ond, by arbitration. would result in the
selection Of committee Of three, five
or seven cardinals to choose the new
leader. The third, by ballot, which was
followed to-day, would choose a new
Pope when two-thrds of the quorum
present vote for the same Cardinal
There will be two ballots daily hereaf-
ter until new Pontiff is chosen.
The ship in which Cardinal O'Connell
is Fastening to Rome has been delayed
by bad weather and he cannot reach
Naples before Wednesday. Although
he will be hurried to Rome by auto
mobile Immediately it is felt that the
new Pope will be chosen before he can
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