The New York herald., 1922-02-04
Faint Smoke From Vatican
Chimney Twice Taken to
Indicate Election.
3 CARDINALS VOTE IN BED
Many Americans in Vast
Throng Watching in st.
Peters Square.

ROME, Feb. 3 (Associated Press).- -
Balloting began to-day within the
walls of the Vatican for the election
of successor to Pope Benedict XIV,
but failed of result. The Cardinals
were engaged for several hours dur
ing the morning in an endeavor to
select an occupant for the papal
throne, but shortly after noon a thick
volume Of sulphur hued smoke indi-
Gated that no decision had been
reached.
The deliberations in the afternoon
apparently were somewhat shorter, as
the great clock of st. Peters regis
tered 5:25 when the chimney emitted
a feeble cloud Of black smoke, telling
mutcly to the vast assemblage in st.
Peters Square that the momentous
question was still undecided.
At the termination of the morning
sitting Of the Cardinals the irregular
emission OF light colorcd smoke led thu
crowds to believe that new Po1tiff had
beer chosen. The Vatican officials IL
seems, had not used sufficient tow vita
the burning straw. This incident was
almost repeated at the conclusion OF the
afternoons deliberations, when grayish
smoke began issuing from one of the
chimneys In the Vatican, causing confu-
sion among the thousands of onlookers
as to whether the smoke could be con-
siGored white or black
The better informed among the assem-
- drett att IN
fact that the smoke was not issuing from
the proper chimney. A moment later
The people were disappointed to observe
the second chimney. which this time was
the right one, belching forth a dense
black cloud that came directly from the
Sistine Chapel "They have not chosen
him - thousands of voices repeated In
unison.
The Illness Of three OF the Cardinals
within the Vatican makes u necessars-
for the ballot takers TO leave the Sis
tine Chapel. with due ceremony. and
reDair 10 the apartments Of the invalids.
This also delays the smoke announce
rnents. Cardinal Marini has been I'll foe
several days from influenza and there is
eonc apprehension over his condition
because Of his age. Two other Cardinals.
pompilj and Bacilieri Bishop OF Verona.
ar, suffering from colds.
Several hours before the convening OF
the conclavc in the afternoon thousands
gathered IN the historic square in front
of the Vatican. and by o'clock fully
1O. 900 persons had taken up positions OF
vantage on the steps OF st. Peters or
along the cobhle pavement or on bal
comics and roofs OF tho neighboring
houses. The favored few. for the most
part members Of the Papal Court or the
Roman aristocracy. occupied places In
the left logria OF the Vatican. the envy
of the crowds assembled below.
In the great concourse were many
Americans, some OF whom had journeyed
from remote points in Italy TO witness
the memorable ceremony OF electing the
head of the Catholic Church. A number
OF them were equipped with binoculars
and telescopes, which they turned on
the all important smokestack.
A Russian refugee, former member Of
wrangel's army. set Up huge long dis
tance artillery range finder and charged
spectators small sum for an inspection
OF the chimney.
The steamer Presidente Wilson. bring
ing Cardinal O'Connell of Boston to
Rome. will not arrive at Naples before
Monday morning. February g. II was
learned to-day from the steamship com
pany.