The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-01-26
GITTLE KNOWN OF THE
NEW EMPEROR OF CHINA.
IL u Grandson Of u Former Emperor,
: and His Father Has Always Been
Kept I'm Retirement.

Kept I'm Retirement.
PEKING, Jan. 25.-The imperial edict Is
sued yesterday says that owing to the en-
peror's poor health he is unable to conduct
the business of state. and appoints Pu
Chuh, son of Prince Tyan. his heir. The
emperor apparently has been compelled by
the dowager empress to abdicate about the
Chinese New Year, though 1t is understood
this will meet with considerable opposition
In certain court circles. The dowager en-
press, however, intends to carry out the
programme which she had been planning
for years.
Nothing Known Omcially.
WASHINGTON. Jan. 25.-The Chinese
minister, Mr.. Wu Ting Fang, when shown
the above dispatch, was at first inclined
to doubt and discredt 1t, but on exam
lining the circumstantial detail of the re-
ported edict, he said:
II am unable to say whether 1t Is true
or not Thus far have received nothing.
official or unofficial. to indicate that such
a change has been made or was contem-
plated. A short time ago report was
current that the son Of the Prince Tyan
would be named as heir apparent.
But have not been informed that
this would be done. 1t would not be sur
prising If an heir apparent were designat-
ed, as this occurs at times. usually In
order to provide successor when an en-
peror is sick or otherwise incapacitated."
Genea1ogy of the New Emperor.
After consulting reference on the gene
alogy, Mr.. WI said that as near as he
could tell Prince Tyan is a son of the
former emperor, Hien Fung, thus making
the reported new emperor Pu chun a
grandson of Emperor Hen Fung. The lat
ter was followed by Ting Chi, son Of the
present empress dowager, who still retains
her strong influence over court affairs.
Her son was without issue, and was sue
ceeded by the present emperor, Kwang
Su, nephew of the empress dowager, and
designated through her influence. In case
the reported change has been made, 1t will
be a continuance of the same imperial
family at the head of affairs, with the
empress dowager remaining as the strong
power behind the throne. Prince Tyan
has been little known in public affairs
which, however, is not surprising. as MEM
bers Of the imperial household do not min
gle with the outside world, and are prac-
tically unknown.
No Change In Policy.
When asked IL such change would en-
tail any change of Chinese policy, Minis
ter WI said: mot in the slightest. 1t
does not indicate any change of policy on
International or foreign affairs. nor in our
domestic affairs. Our people are quiet,
peaceful people, and have little regard for
personal changes which may occur in the
government"
Conger Cables a Different Version.
Secretary Hay was advised today by
D1l~
of the result of the convocation OF Chinese
notables there yesterday, his statement
being that Pu Chun, IA years of age, has
been appointed heir apparent. There is q
notable discrepancy between Mr.. Conger's
statement and that cabled from Shanghai
and it is impossible to learn here which
Is accurate at this time, neither the state
department nor the Chinese legation hav-
ing any further information on the SUBJ
ject than that contained in Mr.. Conger's
brief dispatch.
It will be noticed that he does not indi-
cate that the heir has been chosen as en-
peror nor that he is to ascend the throne
Immediately. a
The result is awaited with great interest
here for by the character of the selection
made of the successor to the present en-
peror may be determined the question
whether the Russian or the Japanese in
fluence is predominant in China.
Kwang su Commits Suicide.
LONDON, Jan. 25. According to
special dispatch from Shanghai, 1t is re-
ported that Emperor Kwang Su has COM
mitted suicide.
Secret Society Behind 1t.
Another special dispatch from Shanghai
says: 1.-THE father of the new emperor is
the head of the great secret society known
as The Great Sword and The Boxers
extending over the provinces of Chill.
Shantung and Honon. which were re-
sponsible for the murder of Mr.. Brookes,
the missionary"