The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1908-12-15
THE BABY RULER
ON DRAGON THRONE
Young Chinese Emperor Begins His
Reign With Simple Cere-
mony.
NOT ANY NOTE OF MUSIC.
All Alone the Little Monarch Tod
dies to His Post of
Honor.
NOT ANY NOTE OF MUSIC.

PEKING, December 2.-The strict
mourning which has been observed in
this city since the death, a fortnight
ago, of Emperor Kwang Hsu and the
Dowager Empress of China, was sus-
pended long enough this morning to
permit the ascension to the Dragon
throne of the baby emperor, Pu vi,
who becomes ruler of the kingdom UNI
der the name of Hsuan-Tung.
The ceremonies were brief lasting
only half an hour. They were per-
formed by officials of the highest rank,
and a number of Goodies of the most
humble classes in the Empire were
brought into the palace to act as wit
nesses. Following the ceremony an
imperial edict, proclaiming the ascen-
sion, was issued. This communication
contains also a grant of amnesty. The
+ date upon which the new Emperor
will receive the members of the diplo-
matte corps will be fixed later.
NOT A NOTE OF MUSIC.
The ceremony of enforcement was
one of striking interest. 1t included
obeisance to the tablets of the dead
Emperor and Empress Dowager and
prostrations before the infant Emper-
or, the three-year-old son of Prince
Chun, who today 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 o'clock
this morning. They took up their po-
sitions inside, and the high officials of
the empire began to arrive At IL
o'clock not less than $50 carriages, to-
gether with a vast number of sedan
chairs respondent and brilliant in the
winter sunshine, were waiting outside
the palace for the ceremonies to come
to an end.
KOW-TOW BEFORE TABLETS.
The function began by the Princes
of the imperial family and the high
officials of the empire kow-towing to
the memorial tablets of their late ma
jesties. 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 perform
ed this duty with great attention and
care. Thus arrayed, the toddling EN-.
peror assembled the throne amid fan
fare 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 kow-towed to his stepmother
the Dowager Empress Yehonala. He
then received the kow-tows, while still
on the throne, of all the Princes and
officials present. This over, he de-
scended and was again clad in his lit
tie dress of mourning.
COOLIES ACT AS WITNESSES.
The ceremony took place in thu
throne hall of the Forbidden City. Th'
officials present were selected will
} great care, and were the highest mel
in the Empire. According to an old
established custom, a number of hum
BILE coolies, men from the lowest walk
of life, were brought into the sacret
precincts of the Forbidden City to ac
as witnesses. The soldiers played bu
an inconspicuous part in the proceed
ings.
> At 1880 the officials began Leaving
the palace. Traffic outside the For
: hidden City was at no time impeded
!, EDICT GRANTS AMNESTY.