New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-12-30
TREATING THE SUNS ECLIPSE.

r,,r cnrp1ous DECREE RECENTLY ISSUED BY TIE
EMPEROR OF CHINA.
r,s,,.,or Dec % (SpeciaD. the Chlnese
Government was warned OF the plesen' sa
tic affairs is clearly indicated In oispa'c" ',a.
n, the Department OF State to-day 4io'"
DENLY at Picking. transmitting eoP' ~ .,nor-
er,ai decree The decree exhibits an ancient sup.-
.,.,o, ., that country that eclipse OF 'he Run
nor,ends disaster Mr.. DENLY adds that sucn Oil
ecpse will occur the first Ga! % 'io ~
fourth year OF the reign OF kuang iiou, an. Wv
Emperor is filed with torebodings as 10 us e'e''N
The decree follows ,,,
annals II has been stated that an eclipse Oh I'm; tne
on the first DAY OF the ye snyeyeigns o, every
DYNASTY which has preceded US have alwaS;s me- me-
n,ost,crSted To- undergo reimbursement and humble
themselves before Heaven in oIueI 10 az, I'M
narisI dynasty for instance. during the resns OF
Their Majesties Kang Hsi and chen d:unS tU wn
which feil on New Years Day; and now: ae eU q;
ing TO the Board Of ~ mon 4ciS on January % ss
there will be yet another eclipse OF tne sun, W.
ed With 6 at t inns whh may have
thus brought the wrath OF High Heaven upo" '"'
We further command that the ceremonies o. con on
graduation usually held on New Years Day an sTv
TAI lo throne hall be curtailed and Sy al h
obelsances be made the place being change1 10 Inc
Chen Using throne hall instead OF me Ialo no
fmperial cansnen on New Years Day must also be
stopped and when the eclipse occurs Iet an lne t
in the inner palace before the altar set up TO
Heaven TO pray for forbearance and mercy to the
ourselves 10 show our desire TO propitiste High
Heaven, but as Her Majesty the Empress Dq~a ger
is an elder and senior 1t is but right that the Iul
ceremonies be observed In paving the COURTS
obeisances New Years Day TO Her Majesty Let
al the Yamens concerned take note
Although Mr.. DENLY makes no comment on tne
decree, II Is evident TO those familiar win the
Chinese character that It IS cleverly contrved 10
meet political exigences. Its effect on the vast
mass Of China's population IS apparently 10 shiit
responsibility for foreign entertainments from inc
shoulders Of the ruling dynasty and place 1t on the
suns eclipse. But there is deeper significance IN
that It will obviate possibly embarrassing de-
movement to the customary New Years reception
the only occasion on which the Emperor Is seen by
the representatives of foreign Powers. The Dipio-
matte Corps for a Of years has resisted many
obnoxious features of this ceremonious reception
the severe regulations Of Chinese Court etiquette
surrounding the occasion being prepared with me
deliberate Intention Of impressng the Emperor S
subordinates and his subjects with MS own eA-
allied station compared with the sovereigns OF the
ever rank were unable to stand before him or come
ns we're permitted TO pay their
him. In the great throne han annually they were
he throne only with the most profound obe!sances,
present their speeches with bowed head Sn9 ,orth.
Corps refused to attend the ceremonial. but few
years ago the reception was revived. A rev montns
shs Ss eops SHOW
spect to the Emperor Of China than that demanded
BY He II. osnsvs ,ee
Finally. the decree practically indicates that the
ana a She s ha
take away from his own dignity. put prevented an any
a v Of sn ns ref % be
and mobiles who are expected to lavish New Years
gifts on her.