The San Francisco call., 1908-11-22
DIPLOMATIC CORPS
|. .OfF[RCONDOL[NCFS
Notable Feature of Ceremony
Was Presence of Every Mem
ber of Imperial Clan
Bodies of Emperor and Dowager
Empress of China Repose in
Separate Halls

PEKING, Nov. 21.-The ceremony at
the imperial palace this morning when
the members of the diplomatic corps
spective governments on the deaths of
the emperor and dowager empress of
China was one of the most impressive
ever witnessed in Peking. A notable
feature was the presence of every mem
Der of the imperial clan, as well as
dead or eliminated from the conduct of
affairs of state. This was the answer
of the government to the rumors of
suicides and deaths current in Pc
king for the last week.
No opportunity was lost to make the
functions striking. Prince Ching, for
the first time since the passing away
of their majesties. appeared officially
at the head of the foreign board. The
chiefs of the various governmental de-
partments were present and in addition
several thousand minor officials, all
dressed in white. At the conclusion of
the. functions in honor of the dead the
diplomats paid homage to Prince Chun.
the regent.
LEGATIONS REPRESENTED
Each foreign legation was represent
ed by three of its members and the
spectacle as the foreigners approached
the palace was unprecedented. They
marched through throng of mandarins
distributed over the three marble ter
races leading to the Chen Ching Kung
hall, located at the head of the main
avenue of the Forbidden City This
building is used to receive foreign min
listers when they come to present their
credentials, and its position is COM
manding one. The approaches were
lighted by a remarkable display of
red umbrellas, 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, and the multi-colored emblems
were vivid against the white stone
work and the spotless white garments
of the assembled officials.
BODIES IN SEPARATE HALLS
The bodies of their majesties reposed
each in a separate hall. The catafalque
of the emperor was on a dais in the
CHEN Ching hall and was draped in
black satin, embroidered with dragons.
The large image of bird above the
throne, emblematic of the glory and
beauty that good government sheds
over the world, was covered with a
white curtain, as were the numerous
mirrors in the throne room, while satin
screens, set at oblique angle to the
catafalque, shut out from the view
of the foreign representatives a nu-
rnerous gathering of mourning palace
attendants and servants. Prince Chun,
the regent, stood at a 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 con-
gratulations of the diplomats on No
venber on the occasion of the seven
ty-fourth anniversary of her birth. This
palace is located in the east wing of
the Forbidden City, a section hereto
fore called the harem quarter. The
diplomats passed from the hall where
lay the body of the emperor to the pal
ace of the dowager, and they were pre-
ceded by Prince Chun, who covered the
distance with unmistakable evidence of
haste The catafalque of her majesty
also was fanked by white screens Be
hind that on the left were grouped all
the women of the imperial clan, at
tended by their servants, and they
were all plainly visible to the foreign
ers. The men of the imperial clan were
behind the screens on the right side.
The mourning dress of the court was
the same as worn by the populace.
ALL OFFICIALS PRESENT
Virtually every official in Peking, to-
gether with many men of high stand
ing who expect Office, was present
Prince Ching, president of the foreign
board, was conspicuous for his alert
ness. Yuan Shi Kai, member of the
grand council, it was noticed, lfmped
from the effects of a recent accident
The appearance of Prince Chun was
noted with the greatest interest The
praises of the regent have been sung
during the last few days in fulsome
terms. and as a result cautious diplo-
mats were prepared for something diff
ferent than what these eulogies had
led them to expect. particularly in the
light of the edict issued yesterday ac-
centuating his powers. In appearance
the prince was a disappointment. He
bears a strong resemblance to the late
Kuang Hsu. His face was worn and
drawn and bore an expression of fright.