The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1902-01-09
PEKlNC'S GREAT DAY
Court Enters City Amid Big
Demonstration.
BEWILDERINC BARBARIC EXHIBITION
Foreigners Everywbere In Evidence
During the EDtry-Contrary to All
Chinese Customs-Dowager
Returns salutations.

PEKING, Jan. S.--The re-entrance
of the Chinese emperor into Peklne
was the most remarkable episode IN
the annals of the dynasty save the
fight of the Chinese court when Pe-
king was bombarded by the allied
forces.
The spectacular phases of the return
Of the court exceeded the expectations
The cortege was a sort of glorified lord
mayors show and was bewllderlnS
and barbaric exhibition of oriental tin
seled splendor.
Its chief significance was the com
plete effacement of the traditional de-
ifcation of Chinese royalty. Foreign
ers were given greater facilities to wit
ness the ceremonial than would have
been afforded them at most European
courts.
The scene at the Chen gate when
the emperor and dowager empress en-
tered the temple to offer thanks for
their safe journey was nothing less
than revolutionary when viewed in the
light of all Chinese customs. Inc
horseshoe wall forming the ancient
diplomats, army officers, missionaries
ladies, photographers and correspond
ents.
When the emperor and the dowager
empress arrived at the temple, the pro-
cession halted, and their maJestes
alighted from their chairs, which were
covered with imperial yellow silk ana
lined with sable. The emperor pro-
ceeded to the Temple of the God OIL
War. on the west side of the plaza,
with hundreds of foreigners peering
down only forty feet above him. ana
dozens of cameras were focused upon
the son of heaven.
Then the chair of the dowager en-
press was brought to the doorway OF
the Temple of the Goddess of Mercy,
on the east side of the plaza, ana the
dowager empress appeared. Amid a
great scuffling of attendants she pro
ceeded into the temple on the arms OF
two officials, followed by a company of
Buddhist priests bearing offerings. The
spectators then heard the booming OF
the temple bell.
After an interval of five minutes the
dowager empress reappeared. Stand
ing in the doorway of the temple, she
looked upward. Directly overhead
were the German minister, DR.. Mumn
Won Schwartzenstein, and the secreta
ries of the German legation and th'
officers and ladies from the American
garrison. The dowager empress saV
the foreigners and bowed low. Sh
advanced few steps and bowed agail
In acknowledgment of the salutation
Of the foreigners. She returned to he
chair, looking upward to the semicircl
of foreign faces and bowling repeal
edly.
The expression of the dowager en-
press seemed almost appealing as sh
faced those who had humbled her froI
her former arrogance and conflrme
the impression that she is returning
Picking with anxiety for her safety.
In the meantime the Chinese SO
diers. Mantchoo bannermen and mint
officials who had crowded the pla7
were reverently kneeling. The tW
arches at the sides of the ancient gat
way framed hundreds of faces of CT
nese coolies who, emboldened by Il
presence of foreigners, ventured
gaze upon their rulers. This incide
constituted a most sharp contrast wi
the old regime when neither diploma
nor natives were permitted to view t
passage of royal personages along t
streets.
The streets from the Machiapo 81
tion to the gateway of the Forbid
City, distance of four miles, we
swept and garnished early in the mol
Ing. The great plaza between the tie
pies of Heaven and Agriculture W.
sprinkled with yellow sand. Residel
were compelled to remain indoors.
soldiers and the police formed cl'
Gordon along both sides of this ent
distance.
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