Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-11-22
MANDARINS THRONG WITHIN
Solemnity and Pomp Attend Unique
Memorial Ceremonies.
VIVID MULTI-HUED .EMBLEMS
Royal Biers in Separate Apartments.
Regent Shows Signs of Fright
and Fatigue.

fEhlNG. November 2l.-The ceremony
at the imperial palace this morning. when
members Of the diplomatic corps presented
the condolences of their respective gov
ernments on the deaths of the Emperor
and the Dowager Empress OF China, was
one of the most impressive ever witnessed
in Peking.
1T was attended with a degree of SOL
emnity and pomp that will long be remem-
bered by every foreigner In the capital
who was present
A noticeable feature of the proceedings
was the presence of every member of the
imperial clan, as we'll as every official
who lately has been reported dead or
eliminated from the conduct Of affairs OF
state. This was the answer of the gov
ernment to rumors of suicides and deaths
current in Peking for the past week
NO opportunity was lost to make the
function striking and grand.
Prince Ching, for the first time since the
passing away of the imperial rulers, ap-
peared officially as the head Of the for
eign board. The heads Of the various gov
ermental departments were present with
the members of the imperial clan. In ad-
dlt1on several thousand minor officials all
dressed in white, had assembled at i'm
perlal command. to witness this homa ge
or foreign governments of the world
through their accredited diplomatic rep.
resentatives here.
Regent Receives Homage.
At the conclusion Of the functions in
honor of the dead the diplomats paid
homage to Prince Chun, the regent.
Each foreign legation was represented
by three OF its members. The spectacle
as the foreigners approached the palace
was unprecedented. They marched
through throng of mandarins, distri-
buted over the three marble terraces lead
ing to the Chen Ching kung Hall, which
is located at the head of the main ave
nue. of the Forbidden city.
This building is used to receive foreign
ministers when they come to present
their credentials Its position is a COM
manding one. The approaches were lined
by a remarkable display of red umbrel-
las. huge fans and screens of many colors
and other objects of decoration used by
the court for state professions.
The day was bright and sunny. Multi
|coIored eIDbiep1s were vivid ak aif.St al
white stonework and the spotlessiy white
garments of the assembled officials.
The bodies Of the dead reposed each in
a separate hall. The catafalque OF the
emperor was on dais in the Chen
Ching hall, and was draped in black
satin, embroidered with dragons. The
large image of a bird above the throne,
emblematic of the glory and beauty that
good government sheds over the world
was covered with a white curtain, as also
were the numerous mirrors in the throne
room.
White satin screens, set at oblique
angles to the catafalque, shut out
from view of foreign representatives a
numerous gathering of mourning palace
attendants and servants Prince Chun,
the regent, stood at table beside the
catafalque of the emperor.
The doWager empress lay in state in
her own private palace, called Huang Chi
Tien. where she received the congratula-
tions of the diplomats November 3. on the
occasion of the seventy fourth ami
versary of her birth. This palace is 10
Gated in the east wing of the Forbidden
city. section heretofore called the harem
quarter
Prince Regent Hastens Steps.
The diplomats passed from the hall
where lay the body of the emperor TO the
palace of the dowager. They were pre-
ceded by Prince Chun. who covered the
distance with unmistakable evidences of
haste.
The catafalque of the dead dowager also
was fianked oy white screens. Behind
that on the left were grouped all the
women of the imperial clan, attended by
their serving women. They all were
plainly visible to the foreigners The men
of the imperial clan were behind the
screen on the right hand side.
The mourning dress of the court is ex-
actly the same as that worn by the popu-
lace. Practically every official in Peking.
together with many men of high standing
who expect office, was present.
Prince Ching. president of the foreign
board. was conspicuous for his alertness.
Yuan Shi kai. member OF the grand coun-
Gil. it was noticed. limped from the ef-
fectS of a recent accident.
There was present, in addition, every
official or member of the imperial family
who recently has been reported i'll, dead
by his own hand Or estranged from the
government. The desired impression of
official solidarity at Peking. which. II was
most evident, this occasion was intended
to convey. was impaired successfully.
The appearance of Prince Chun was
noted by the foreigners present with
the greatest interest. The praises of the
regent have been sung during the past
few days in fulSome terms AS a result
cautious diplomats were prepared for
something different from what these
eulogies had led them TO expect particu-
larly in the light of the edct. issued yes
terday. accentuating the powers of the
regent
In appearance. the prince was a dis
appointment. He bears strong resem-
blance to the late Kuang Hsu. His face
was worn and drawn. and bore an eX-
preston of fright.
Ancient cernmoniaI 0he nrvod