Los Angeles herald., 1908-11-20
ORDER POSTHUMOUS
HONORS FOR EMPRESS
Last Rites for Royal Members Of the
Dynasty Are Barbarous Exhibit
ton of Inhuman Etiquette
of the Court
IBx Associated Press. ]

I
by Associated Press.l
PEKIN. Nov. 19.-An edict order
/ ing posthumous honors for the late
dowager empress was issued today. II
enumerates a fourth time since the
death of his majesty, the emperor
the program of reforms to which the
new regime is committed. These po-
litical edicts first began appearing
four days ago, when, in the name of
the emperor and the grand council,
two DEGREES entailing upon the infant
emperor, Pu vi, the carrying out of
the reforms already inaugurated by
his predecessor were published.
One of these, after specifying num-
Der of the reforms in question, says:
I'VE have received reverently the
decree of the dowager empress ap-
pointing Pu vi to be emperor. As
this prince shows promise of being
filial and intelligent he can count upon
the care and support of the dowager
empress, and through his devotion to
affairs of state he may bring tran
quillity to the empire. Officials must
purify their hearts, abandon all abuses
and heartily obey previous edicts.
with regard to the existing program,
years of study have been given to its
lish a constitution for China at the
end of nine years, and by completing
what is left unfinished you will COM
fort your spirit in heaven"
Another edict that was issued in
the name of the late dowager en-
press says:
My attention has been given to a
myriad of affairs and my strength and
my heart are exhausted. Since last
summer l have been i'll and not able
to assist in the multitudinous affairs
of the government with tranquility.
For long / have been without appe-
tite, nor have l been able to sleep. On
November IA came the death of the
emperor, and 1t was then impossible
for me to exercise self-control. Fol-
lowing this day my illness increased
until now l am not able to rise from
my couch.
Reforms Have Begun
81 look back today over fifty years
of sorrow and trouble, and even at
the end of my life my anxieties still
are with me and / can find no appe-
tite.
Reform in the method of govern
ment has begun, and these ideas will
be continued and developed. The re-
gent and all its officials should exert
themselves to strengthen the founda-
tions Of the empire. Let the emperor,
Pu vi, make the affairs of the empire
of first Importance, and to this end let
him be adequately instructed"
Accurate information concerning the
last days of the emperor and the dow
ager empress was obtained today from
officials of the palace. The various
foreign legations have abandoned the
poison theory.
The emperor made a speech less than
one hour before his death. He passed
away during a period of the greatest
excitement and confusion. His native
| physician gave orders that the emperor
be dressed for death, and that imperial
| yellow clay be spread over the road
| leading from the winter palace to the
Forbidden City.
At the same time an imperial con-
veyance was made ready to convey the
| dowager empress to the death chamber
Both of their majesties awaited the
coming of the grim reaper clad in their
full official robes and surrounded by
hundreds of court officials and follow
ers. 1t was a barbarous exhibition OF
the soulless and inhuman Formally
and etiquette of the court
On the night of November 16 the
| dowager empress called the members
of the grand council together and
talked with them for some time. She
was lying prone, but fully dressed.
After one hours consultation the
councillors were dismissed, but they
We're told to return at o'clock in the
morning with edicts prepared to an
nounce the succession to the throne. II
is reported her majesty was able to
signify her assent to these particular
edicts, but Immediate after having
done this she declared:
II can bear no more" and relapsed
into Inconsistencies.
The emperor and the dowageI
| empress were dead or moribund when
the regency edicts were issued.
AS soon as 1t was actually known
throughout the palace that their majes-
ties were dead a condition of panic en-
sued. The widow of Tung Chi at
tempted to commit suicide because she
perceived she would not be made dow
ager empress. Many of the palace
eunuchs fed, carrying with them such
va1uables as they could lay their
hands on.
The dowager empress Ye Hon Ala
was one of the few who retained pres
ence of mind. She ordered that the
gates be guarded, and gave other in
structions for the maintenance and res
toration of order.
Pu vi, the baby emperor, has been
taken from his family and is cared for
within the palace precincts. He is
popularity reported crying day and
night for his old nurse.