Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1908-12-03
CHINA CROWNS
CHILD EMPEROR
WITH KOW-TOW
MUSIC PREPARED, BUT NONE
Is ALLOWED
COMMON COOLIES BROUGHT IN
AS WITNESSES
Forbidden City Is Scene of Unusually
Interesting ceremonies-sacrific
Offered - Baby ToddIes
to Throne
[By Associated Press.l

the enthronement of the emperor
Il today was one of striking interest.
1t included obeisance to the tablets of
the dead emperor and empress dowager
and prostrations before the infant en-
peror the 9year-old son of Prince
Chun, who formally took the throne.
The imperial proclamation for the
function was arranged at the palace
yesterday. 1t ordered that music for
the occasion be prepared, but that not
a single note be played; this because
of the mourning of the court for their
late majesties.
Troops entered the eastern gate of
the palace at 4 o'clock this morning.
They took up their respective posi-
tions inside, and the high officials of
the empire began to arrive.
At 10 o'clock not fewer than $50 car
riages, together with vast number of
sedan chairs resplendent and brilliant
in the winter sunshine, were waiting
outside the palace for the ceremonies
to come to an end.
koW=tow to Tablets
The function began by the princes of
the imperial family and the high Of
ficials of the empire kow-towing to the
memorial tablets Of their late majes-
ties. After this they all kow-towed
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 diminutive imperial garment
embroidered with the imperial dragon
His nurses performed this duty with
great attention and care. Thus ar
rayed, the todd11ng emperor ascended
the throne amid a fanfire of drums,
bells and firecrackers.
He made his way alone and showed
nc need of assistance that willing
hands would have given him had his
little feet faltered.
From the throne Pu Yi-kow-towed to
his stepmother, the dowager Empress
gYehonala. He then received the kow-
tows, while still on the throne. of all
the princes and officials present. This
over, he descended and was again clad
in his little dress of mourning.
The ceremony took place In the
throne hall of the Forbidden City. The
officials present were selected with
great care and were the highest in the
empire.
According to an old established Gus
tom, a number of humble coolies, men
from the lowest walks of life, were
brought into the sacred precincts of
the Forbidden City to act as witnesses.
The soldiers played but an inconspicu-
Gus part in the proceedings.
AT ll.30 the OIuCldlS OGBdn lSdNAhS
the place. Traffic outside the Forbid
den City was at no time impeded.
The scene was enlivened by num-
ber of pilgrims who had come on cam
els all the way from Mongolia.
All yesterday sacrifices were made to
their late majesties by the highest dig
nitaries of the empire at the f1Ve most
important temples of Peking, the tenn
pies of Heaven, of the Ancestort, of the
Earth, of Agriculture and of Confucius.
The edict setting forth the accession
of Pu vi to the throne and granting
amnesty was carried with much cere-
monv to the throne hall. 1t was es-
Corted by all the members of the grand
council, who were in turn accompanied
bv the members of the board of rights.
In the throne hall it was given the
official vermillion seal. Thence 1t was
carried to the Office Of the board of
rights, where 1t was proclaimed and
put in circulation.
Rewards Royal Family
In addition to granting amnesties
for certain specified offenses the edtct
rewards all the imperial princes, prin-
cesses and dukes; 1t promotes all or
these bv one degree and bestows honors
on their parents; 1t erases the dement's
entered against minor officials, ad-
vances the degree of scholars, dis
misses all pending petty criminal
cases, excuses certain lldblilitS an
grants bounties to the soldiers in the
service of the empire.
The fact that the enthronement OF
the new emperor has taken place re-
established confidence here in part and
has resulted in the prophecy in various
official circles of an extremely con-
servative rule.
The dowager empress has reinstated
the notorious eunuch, Lii Lilien YinS,
as head of the palace administration.
Prince Chun's first appointee was
personal friend.
The entry of the United States into
the circle of nations that have ar
ranged dual agreements has caused
surprise, but while making secure the
tranquility of the possessions in the
Pacific of the United States and Japan
the agreement is not regarded at Pc
king as in any way ofering a soiuuoh
of the Chinese situation.
1t is pointed out here that Japan has
not settled any of the main questions
at issue Those relating to Chientao,
the posts and the telegraphs are stlll IN
a very unsatisfactory condition.
The action of the United States is
regarded as a sequel to the fleets tour
whereby China is in measure COM
pensated for what has been considered
a snub on the part of the United States
in sending only eight warships to Annoy
and II Dlaces moral structures upon
Japan with regard to any designs that
country might have had in China.
notwithstanding this, however, Tang
Shao vi, who is now on a mission in
the United States, will carry out the
pIans officially arranged for bringing
matters of Importance to the attention
of the American government
Some of the foreign officials call the
agreement a "Rooseveltian display"
The opinion which hitherto was held
here that the American naval preten-
sions were something In, the nature OF
a "bluff' has been greatly changed
since the announcement of a fixed policy
in the Pacific, and the agreement has
had the effect of multiplying the exer-
tions on the part of the representatives
of the powers to make political capital
out of the present situation.