The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-02-02
SObbed as She Told Mrs. Conger the
Attack on the Legations In Pek-
ing Was a Mistake.
RECEPTION At THE PALACE
WOMEN AND CHILDREN OF THE DIP
LOMATIC CORPS PRESENT.
Speech by Mrs. Conger and Reply by
the DOwager Empress-Pres-
ents Distributed.

PEKING. Feb. 1.-The dowager Empress.
the Emperor and the Empress this after
noon received the ladies and children of the
members of the diplomatic corps in the
private apartments of the palace. The au-
dience was the most revolutionary event
since the return of the court to Peking
The exclusiveness of Chinese royalty and
the prejudices against the meeting of the
sexes was waived and the function was
less formal than is usual in European
courts. The dowager Empress occupied
the throne, with a brilliant assemblage Of
princesses and court ladies about her. The
Emperor was seated upon small platform
in the center of the room.
The visitors, upon entering, bowed twice
to the Emperor and several of them as
cended the throne and bowed to the
dowager Empress. Mrs. Conger, wife of
United States Minister Conger, as doyeness
of the diplomatic corps. read a speech,
which was translated by Secretary Will
liams. Mrs. Conger said:
I'VE heartily congratulated you and the
imperial court that the unfortunate situa-
tion which led you to abandon your beauti-
full capital has been so happily removed.
that you are now permitted to return in
freedom and peace. The events of the two
to the rest of the world; but the sting of
the experience may be eliminated by the
establishment Of franker. more trustful
and friendlier relations between the Chi
nese and the other peoples of the earth.
The world is moving forward, the tide of
progress cannot be stayed and it is hoped
that China will join with the great sister
hood of nations in the grand march. The
recent imperial edicts give promise o< great
good to your people and to your vast en-
pire."
The dowager Empress's reply was exceed
ingly friendly in tone. 1t was in part as
follows:
Last year the dissensions in the palace
caused a revolution which compelled our
hasty departure, but IL is a great gratifica-
ton TO US that your return TO the capital
has caused such rejoicing in China and
abroad"
Baron Czikann, the Austrian minister and
doyen OF the diplomatic corps, presented all
the ladies to the dowager Empress, who
took the hand of each of them. They were
next presented to the Emperor. who also
shook hands with them. The guests then
retired to an anteroom. The dowager En-
press. entering this room, grasped Mrs
Congers hand which she held for some
minutes. trembling. weeping and sobbing
loudly and exclaiming IN broken sentences
that the attack upon the legations was a
bitterly. In reply, Mrs. Conger assured her
that the past would be forgotten. Brace
let's and rings of great value were then
placed upon Mrs Conger's wrists and
fingers
The dowager Empress made inquiries re-
garding the other ladies who were in Pc
king during the siege of the legations, and
Mines. Bainbridge and Morris the wives
of Secretaries Bainbridge and Morris, of
the American and French legations, re-
spectively, were presented and warmly
greeted.
Following the reception a banquet was
given. This was spread upon three tables.
the dOwager Empress sitting at the head
of the principal table. with Mrs. Conger
peror was the only man present. except
Chang Tsi prospective minister from
China to Great Britain, who knelt beside
the dowager Empress and interpreted
what she said. The Emperor sat at the head
Of the second table. He and the dowager
Empress touched glasses with the guests
The Dowager Empress talked animatedly.
She said that China would abandon her
policy of isolation and adopt the best fea-
lures of Western life, and would send many
Empress and the Emperor mingled with
their guests and her Majesty conversed
with every one, and particularly noticed
the children. The Emperor was addressed
through an interpreter and bowed without
speaking. The interpreters composed his
replies
Every lady OF the visiting party was given
a pair of Jeweled bracelets and solitaire
pearl ring besides other souvenirs.
Complaint has been received here from
Tung Fu Hsfang are committing actr Of
brigsndage on large scale. ratifng villages
and generally expressing and rebbing help
less people