The Election of Pontiff

Southland Times, Issue 19115, 4 August 1903, Page 2

The Election of Pontiff

NO CONCLUSIVE BALLOT

Per United P*eS3 Association By Electric Telegraph. — Copyright.

ROME, Aug. 2. The Cardinals in conclave telebtaced Mass at 6. .'J0 this morning. It is rumoured thn.t the first ballot was informal. Eight candidates received substantial support, Cardinals Rampolla and Vamvutelli heading the list, with Dipietro and Cupeoalatro following. After lunch a. conference was held with the object of reaching an agreement, but the .second ballot was practically the same as the lirst.

Cardinal Herrara kept his bed while the voting was proceeding, and three infirmary employes fetched his voting papers from his cell.

Italian troops are posted i?i the vicinity of the Vatican to ensure liberty in the Cardinals' deliberations. All food and communications are passed through four revolving trapdoors, guarded by six officials. All letters and newspapers passing in are scrutinised by the censor. Even chickens and fish are opened before \ being submitted. These steps are Ircf ing taken to prevent unauthorised communications reaching the cardinals. Aug. 3. STILL NO DECISION. Received 3rd. 11.43 p.m. Four in->conclavc ballots were taken, no candidate receiving 1 the liWtssary two-thirds majority. It i.s reported that Cardinal Kampolla, on I the fourth ballot, obtained SO \otes. In.sido the Vatican the Swiss Guards watch every court, staircase nnd gateway, while Church ofiicials render' it impossible to hold any communication with the inner enclosure. Some signalling from a Vatican window induced Cardinal Oreglia to strengthen the precautions. T««ns of thousands assembled in the vicinity of the Vatican, watching for the smoke signals, in readiness to acclaim the Pope. A fishbone lodged in Cardinal Ranapolla's throat and necessitated his obtaining . surgical aid.