Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-12-03
BABY ASCENOS THRONE.
Pu vi Todd|es Unaided to Sit
as China's Ruler.
SCENE A SOLEMN ONE
Ceremony in Forbidden City Before
the Greatest Chinese.
COOLIES ACT AS WITNESSES
Mourning for Late Emperor Laid
Aside for Brief Half Hour-Gen-
eral Amnesty Granted.
COOLIES ACT AS WITNESSES

. PEk1NG, .ecember 3-The strict
mourning which has been observed in this
CITY since the death, a fortnight ago, of
Emperor kwang-Su and the Dowager EN-
press OF China was suspended long
enough yesterday to permit the ascension
10 the dragon throne of the baby emperor
Pa VI, who becomes ruler of the kingdom
under the name of Hsuan-Tung
The ceremonies were brief. lasting only
haf an hour. They were performed by
officials of the highest rank, and num-
her Of coolies of the most humble classes
in the empire were brought into the palace
as witnesses.
foiloW1ng the ceremony an imperial
euict proclaiming the ascension was is
sued. This communication contains also
grant of amnesty. The date upon which
the new emperor will receive the members
of the diplomatic corps will be fixed later
Unlike Any Western Ceremony.
The ceremony of enforcement was one
Of striking interest 1t was absolutely
different from anything seen in the west
ern world similar occasions 1t in
Guided obeisances to the tablets of the
dead emperor and empress and prostra-
tions before the infant emperor, the
three-year-old son of Prince Chun who
formally took the throne.
The imperial program for the function
was prepared at the palace Tuesday. It
ordered that music for the occasion be
prepared but that not single note be
played this because Of the mourning of
the court for their late majesties. Troops
began entering the eastern gate of the
palace at o'clock in the morning They
took up their positions inside and were
no sooner in place than the high officials
OF the empire began to arrive. The size
ana the importance of the gathering
within was indicated by the waiting car
riages outside the palace At 10 O'clock
not less than $50 carriages, together with
a vast number of sedan chairs resplen-
dent and brilliant in the winter sunshine
were waiting for the ceremonies to come
TO an end.
Bowed to Memorial Tablets.
The function began by the princes of
the Imperial family and the high officials
OF the empire kowtowing to the memorial
tablets of their late majesties After
this they all kowtowed in turn to the
baby emperor. Pu vi, who then offered
a sacrifice before the tablets of the en-
peror ana the doWager empress. After
TINS ne was relieved Of his dress of |
mourning and clad with much care in a |
diminut1ve imperial garment embroidered
with the imperial dragon. His nurses
performed this duty with great attention
NJ
peror assembled the throne. amid a fan
rare OF drums, bells and firecrackers. He
made his way alone and showed no need
or the assistance that willing hands would
nave given him had his little feet fall
tered. From the throne the infant En-
peror Pu VI kowtowed to his stepmother
the DoWager Empress Ye-Ho-Na-La He
then received the kowtows, while still
on the thronee. Of all the princes and
officials present. This over he descended
from the throne and was again clad in
his little dress of mourning.
Highest Men in the Empire.
The ceremony took place in the throne
hall of the Forbidden City The officials
present were selected with great care and
were the highest men in the empire. Ac-
cording to an old established custom
number Of humble coolies, men from the
lowest walks of life, were brought in to
The sacred precincts of the Forbidden Citv
10 act as witnesses. The soldiery PLAYED
out an inconspcuous part in the pro-
ceedings.
Al hait-past eleven the officials began
= leaving the palace. Traffic outside the
Forbidden City was at no time impeded
Inc scene was enlivened by a number Of
pilgrims who had come In on cameIs al,
the way from Mongolia.
All day Tuesday sacrifices were made
20 tneir late majesties by the highest dig
nitaries of the empire at the five mnst
important temples OF Peking-the Temple
of Heaven. the Temple Of the Ancestors
the Temple of the Earth. the Temple OF
Agriculture and the Temple of Con.
fucius
The edict setting forth the accession
on the infant Pu vi to the throne and
granting amnesty was carried with nnch
ceremony TO the throne hall II vas
escorted by all the members of the grand
council, who were. in turn, accompa MED
ny the members of the board of rights
IN the throne hall ii was given the
olnclal Vermill1on seal. This observance
concluded 1t was carried out of the For
oidden City and thence to the office of
the board of rights, where 1t was nro-
Claimed and put in circulation
Sweeping Terms Of Edict
In addition to granting amnesty for
certain specified offenses the edict re-
wards all imperial princes and princesses
as dukes: 1t promotes all officials by one
degree and bestows honors on their
parents; 1t grasses the dement's entered
against minor officials; advances the de-
gree or scholars: dismisses all pendinp
petty criminal cases. excuses certain LA
oiltles ana grants bounties to the soldiers
In the service of the empire.
= ~