The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1905-03-12

Mukden, which has been WreSted from
the Russians by the ever-victoTious Jap
anese army. is regarded as the Sacred
city Of China. Containing, as it does, the
tombs of the Manchu dynasty 1t has
been the mecca OF many royal pilgrim
q ees.-assi<ll It holds a peculiar place in
the affections of a people in whom VEN
Grafton for ancestors Is an inbred trait
The city Is the capital of Liaotung, one
of the three provinces into witch Man
churia Is divided. is situated on the
Hun river, about 400 miles
Tiae city Is strongly defended. a re-
cent traveller has described the fortffica-
tons as really magnificent" They are
laid out in regular parallelegrans, be-
tween one and two miles each way, the
walls being built CT squared stone or
brick, thick and massive st the base.
and tarering gradually at the top.
They are forty feet IN height, twenty
one III width. and are protected at the
top by an eight-foot parapet, or wo-
mans wall" IS the Chinese call it. At
regular intervals thick buttresses break
the monotony of the long line of ma
sonry. a fianking tower stands at each
corner. and In the sides are lofty for
turesque pavilions or watch towers. sew
erai stories high.
Outside the Walls.
Outside these walls there is wide
noat, and then ceres the suburbs,
which extend for a fr3ae or more on all
sides. These again are inclosed by
walls3wnfch, however, are constructed
OF mud and are of little value.
In the heart Of the town Is an inner
wall. within which is a small palace.
This palace Is the Holy of Holes of
Mukden. Beyond the fact that the
walls and roofs are covered with tiles
OF imperial yellow. little Is known
about this secluded building, as en-
trance to 1t Is absolutely denied TO all
but Manchus. 1t IS said TO contain
seme interesting relics of Nurhachu
the great ancestor OF the Manchus, who
IS eano9ized under the title OF Tai Tsu.
and who, having captured the town of
Shenyang, changed its name to Mukden.
and there established his seat of gov
eminent. According to one story sZur-
hachu was supernaturaIIy born : But
according TO another legend he first en-
tered the city which he was destined
10 rule IN the character of a humble
peddler, with a pack on his back, and
this pack. with the boots worn by the
peddler, are commonly reported 10 be
i II SSsf7}cQ DIS sStSEea ftlaGS S4SilllA tie
precincts of the palace.
Imperial Tombs.
When Nurhaehu died, in his sixty
eighth year. he was buried with all the
para phernalia OF woe az The Fu-fing, Or
Happy Tomb situated In pine
grove, which is deemed even more
sacred thar the city itself. and which
stands four or FIVE miles east of its
walls. AT the entrance to this sacred
Enclosure stands a funeral hall. to
which Ambulance is gained by a gate
way of handsome construction Three
doors pierce this massive structure,
which is surmounted By Il richly dec
Grated roof, tiled. as Is the wall which
surrounds the whole incIosare. with
eopings of the imperial yellow color.
| So sacred is this Enclosure considered
that death Is the punishment of anyone
entering who Is not of the same race
as the great ancestor.
Contrary 10 the Chinese custom,
the son and successor of Nurhacl1u was
not buried with his father. but lies in
the Polling. OF northern tomb. amid a
deep grove Of cedars TO tise north of the
city. Buildings Of u similarly handsome
nature mark the entrance 10 this last
resting place OF Tai Tsung. which is still
further beautiffea by a p'ailou of a pecu-
lsarly graceful design. The upturned