New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-10-02
KWANG-SU'S BRIEF CAREER.
THE UNHAPPY YOUNG CHINESE EN-
PERoR JUST DEPosED.
H.; oNERoUs DUTIES AND HIS LONESOME LIFE
TEE TASK OF SELECTING HIS w1FB-A
20 LOVER OF PIANO-PLkYING

Kwang -Su, the unhappy Emperor OF China,
who with all the high State officials, has just
"kotowed" 70 the Dowager Empress in token Of
complete submission. has lived secluded life
during his twenty seven years that comparative
ly little is known Of his habits and personality.
Being put upon the throne like puppet when
three years old by the two power-loving EN-
presses, he has been completely under the con-
troll, first Of both. and then Of one of them ever
since Tsi-An, the widow of Hen Flung the
Eastern Empress." she was known, died in
1881 and her colleague, the Empress Tsi-Hi,
then became sole regent. She at once assumed
charge Of the young Emperor's education and
the management of the imperial household A
woman of ambition, courage and ability, she
welcomed the opportunity for power, and
though she nomnally relinquished control when
the Emperor came of age in 1899 the recent
events in China have shown that hers is still the
ruling will.
Kwang- Sus real name is Tsai-Tien, but upon
ascending the throne, in accordance with the
Chinese custom from time immemorial, he had
to take a 'kwoh hao" or imperial name. BY
that ne must be known TO his people and to
history, and thereafter it becomes a criminal
offence in China to pronounce his former or
proper name. Kwang-Su signifies Industrious
succession"-a rather ironical title now, in view
Of the ilustrious rulers dismissal by the old
Empress
IN THE Tolls OF RED TAPE.
If he possessed Of a strong character the
Chinese Emperor would be able to exert arb-
trary power of high degree. but il is long since
China has had such ruler. Most of them are
content to move cautiously and slowly in the
rut prescribed by an incredible amount OF red
tape and ceremonial. and to allow the Board of
Censors and the great Hanln College to manage
affairs much they will Certainly in no other
country besides China is there such host Of
traditions and customs governing the etiquette
of court life The greatest pains are taken 10
surround the sovereign with special privileges
and honors, in semblance at least, and to empha-
size the gulf which exists between him and his
people. Some of these customs are very curious
One is the setting apart of the color yellow an
imperial emblem. forbidding its use except by
members OF the imperial family. The yellow
girdle is worn only by those who are descended
from an emperor There is one exception. how
ever to this exclusively imperial use of the color
that u.s. the order Of the Yellow Jacket, which
may be conferred by the Emperor for distn-
guished services. This. with the three-eycd pea
cock feather. is the highest decoration Of the
empire Ii Hung Changes deprivation of these
insignia as a mark of disfavor brought them into
the notice of the world not long ago
The "kotow' is the form OF worship which
must be rendered to the sovereign. and an i'm
perial edict is always received with nine pros
trations and the burning Of incense All sub
jects who approach the presence must do
grovelling and knocking their foreheads agains;
the ground. This humility before the Son of
Heaven" as the Emperor is called, is even car
red so far that one official must "kotow'' to an
other who has recently quilted the imperial