The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1897-12-30
THE EMPEROR or CHINA
VERY GREATLY DISTURBED
BY THE SUNS ECLIPSE.
IT IS Feared the Durkeni1g of the kgn1inary
on New Years Day Portends Evil
TO the Empire.

WASHINGTON, Dec 2s.-The State
Department has just received a copy,
through United States Minister DENLY,
of the recent curious decree issued by
the Emperor of China to fend off the
wrath of Providence, as indicated in
the eclipse predicted for New Years
day. The document Is pronounced by
experts to be a masterful exhibition
of typical Chinese craftsmanship in
view Of the existing critical condition
of affairs in the Celestial empire. The
decree reads as follows:
According to the Chun Chiu (spring
and autumn annals), 1t has been stated
that On eclipse of the sun Of the first
day OF the year betokens an impending
calamity, hence the sovereigns of every
dynasty which precedes you have always
made it a point. whenever an eclipse Of
the sun is proSnosticated, TO undergo
self-ahasement and humble themselves
before heaven IN order to abate the
wrath from above. In the case Of our
own imperial dynasty, Tor instance, dur
ing the reigns Of their MaJesties, Kang
were observed two eclipses OF the sun
which fell on a New Years day, and
now, according to the Board of Astrono-
my, the first day of the twenty-fourth
there VIII yet be another eclipse of the
sun. We are filed with forebodings at
this news and hasten to seek within our
selves for sins which may have thus
brought the wrath Of high heaven upon
the land. We further command that the
ceremonies of congratufation usually
held on New Years day in the Tatho
Throne Hall be curtailed and. only ordi-
nary Gbeisances be made, the place be-
ing changed to the Chen Using Throne
Hall instead Of the Taiho Throne HaH.
The banquet usually given TO the I'M
perial Clansmen on New Years day must
also be stopped. and when the eclipse
occurs let all members of the court wear
sober garments and assemble In the in
ner palace before the altar set up to
heaven to pray for forbearance and rner-
cy to the country at large. This Is so
far as shall concern ourselves, to show
our desire TO propitiate high heaven; but
as her Majesty, the Empress Dowager,
is an elder and senior, II is but right that
the full ceremonies be observed in pay
ing the courts obeiSance on New Year 8
day to her Majesty. Let all the Yamens
concerned take note.
Horace Allen, Consul General Of the
United States at Seoul, has informed
the State Department that the Korean
Government on October l last opened
two ports to foreign trade. The first
is Mokpo, m the southern part of the
peninsula and has very rich agri-
cultural back country. 1t is expected
to become an important port of export
and also will be a valuable distribut-
ing center for the richest part of Ko-
rea. The second port is Chenampo, at
the head of navigation on the Ia
Tong River, and will be the port of
entry for the northern capital, Peng-
yang This northern country is rich
in minerals and is the center of the
gold mining industry now being ex-
plotted by an American syndicate. The
opening of these ports has long been
desired by business men. Japan has
already appointed Consuls to these
ports.