THE PONTIFICATE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXV, Issue 182, 4 August 1903, Page 3

THE PONTIFICATE.

CARDINALS IN CONCLAVE.

Rl JBJBSS ABBOCIA7TON.

Roue, August 2. The Cardinals in Conclave celebrated Mass at 6.30 this morning. It is iumoured that the fi-st ballot was informal. Eight candidates received substantial support, Cardinals Bampolla and Vaonutelli leading the list and Cardinals Dipietro and Capecalatro following. After laccb a conference was held with the object of reaching an agreement, bat the s cond billot was practically the same as the first. Cardinal Herrara kepi his bed while the voting was proceeding. Three infirmary employees fetched the voting papers from bis cell. Italian troops are posted in the vicinity cf the Vatican to ensure liberty of deliberations. All food and communications are passed through four revolving trapdoors, guiided by siz officials. All letters and newspapers passing in are ■erutinised by a censor. Even chickens and fish are opened before being admitted. Tbese steps are taken to p-e----vent unauthorised communications reaching the Cardinals.

FOUR VOID BALLOTB. lITRA PRECAUTIONS. Received 3,11.46 p.m. Rous, A u just 3. Four inconclusive billots have been taken, but lj candidate has received the necessary two-thirds majority. It is repnted that Cardinal Rampolls, on thi fourth ballot, obtained 30 Totes.

Inside the Vatican the Swiss Guards watch every court, staircas l , and gateway, wbi'e church officials render it impossible to hold any communication with the inner enclosure.

Some signalling from tbe Vatican t- window indued Oreglia to strengthen the precautions. Some 10,000 persons assembled in the vicinity of the Vatican wa'ching for the smokf signals, in readiness to acclaim the Pope. A fishbone lodged in Cardinal Eampolla'a throat, and necessitated surgical •id.