Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1908-12-03
EMPEROR
ENTHRONED
IN CHINA
QUAINT CEREMONIES
IN PALACE OF PEKIN
IoddIer Mounts Dragon Throne
to Receive Homage of His
Subjects Foreigners Gain
Confidence in New Regime,

EBy Morning journal Special Iensed wIreI
Pekin, Dee, 2.-The strict mourn
ing which has been observed in this
city since the death a fortnight ago
of Emperor Kuang Hsu and the dow
aged empress Of China was suspend
ed long enough this morning to per-
nit the ascension to the dragon
throne OF the baby emperor, Pu vi,
who becomes ruler of the kingdom
under the name of ITsuan- -Tung.
Following the ceremony an imperl-
.al edict proclaiming the ascension
was issued This communication con-
tains also grant OF amnesty.
The ceremony OF enthonement was
one of striking interest. 1t included
obeisanCes to the tablets of the dead
emperor and empress dowager and
prostrations before the infant emper-
or, the three-year-od son of Prince
Chun, who today formally took the
throne.
The imperial program for the func-
tion was arranged AT the palace yea
terday 1t was ordered that music
for the occasion be prepared, but that
not a single note be played, this be-
cause of the mourning of the court
for their late majcsties Troops en-
tered the equestrian gate of the palace
at O'Clock this morning. They took
up their positions inside and the high
officials of the empire began to ar
rive. AT 10 o'clock not less than
three hundred and fifty carriages, to-
gether with a number of sedan chairs.
resplendant and brilliant in the win
ter sunshine We're waiting outside the
palace for the ceremonies to come to
an end
The function begah by the princes
OF the imperial family and the high
officials of the emperor kowtowing to
the memorial tablet of their late ma
jesties. After this they all kowtowed
in turn to pu vi. Pu VI then offered
a sacrifice before the tablets Of the !
emperor and the dowager empress.
After this he was relieved of his |
dress Of mourning and clad in a dimin-
utive imperial garment embroidered
with The imperial dragon. His nurses
performed this duty with great at
tenton and care
Thus arraycd, the toddling emperor
ascended the throne, amid a fanfare
Of drums, bells and firecrackers. He
made his way alone and showed no
need of the assistance that willing
hands would have given him had his
little feet faltered. From the throne
Pu vi kowtowed to his stepmothor,
he dowager empress, Ye Honala. He |
hen received the koWtows while ,
till on the throne, of all the princes
md officials present This over he
descended and was again clad in ria I
title dress of mourning I
The ceremony took place in the 5
hrone hall of the forbidden city. The 4
fficials present were selected with {
reat care, and We're the highest men {
n the empire. According to the old {
established custom, number OF hum Z
1t coolies. men OF the lowest walks
{ life. were brought into the sacred /
recincts Of the forbidden city to act =
$ witnesses. The soldiery played but S
n inconspicuous part In the proceed G.
lgs Il
At 1880 the officials began leaving Z
he place. Traffic outside the forbid T
en- city was at no time imueded. The /,
,ene was enlivencd by a number OF
ilgrims who had come in on camcls I
Il the way from Mongolia
All day yesterday sacrifices were
lade to their majesties by the high
st dignities Of the empire at the five
ost important temples Of Pckin, the
cmplc Of Heaven. Of the Ancestor. NJ
Z the Earth, Of Agriculture ana Of la
q
The cdict setting forth the ascen- "
on of Pu VI to the throne and al
'auting amnesty was carried with Dc
uch ceremony TO the throne hall. n
was escorted by all the members
the grand council. who were In at
.companied by the members OF the ia
,ard Of rights. In the throne cham W
" it was given the official vermil- OF
"a seal This observance concluded h'
was carried out of the forbid duu III
ty and thence 10 the office OF th' I'd
ard of rights. where it was pro- ~
aimed and put into circulation. 20
In addition 10 granting amnesty Bi
r certain specified offenses the edict In
wards all imperial princes. de
lhttAS'H anu uuktHt To li'ilpifF az ! y"
.icials by degree and bestows hon m
8 on their parents. b grasses the Dc DC
srits entered against minor officials. el
vances the degree Of scholars. dis OF
sses all petty criminal eases. eN
ses certain liabilities and grants pr
unties to the soldiers in the sert ba
Of the empire
The fact that the enthroncment of
e new emperor has taken place has
part re-established confidence here OF
d has resulted in the prophesy n co
rlous Official circles OF an extreme ca
conservative rule. The dovager IN
lpress has rCinst1ted the notorious
much III Lien Niug as head OF this
lace administration. Prince Chun's
st appointee was a personal friend RI
The best informed ministers. how W
cr are inclined to think that the m
tward sign of calm has brought W