Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1908-11-22
officials Approach Palace Between
Long Lines Of Mandarins.
LII IMPERIAL CLAN PRESENT
Answer to Many Rumors Of Deaths
and Suicides.
BODIES LIE IN SEPARATE HALLS
Prince Chun stands at Table at side
of CatafaIque of EmperOr--BOdy
of DowaEer I'm Private
Palace.

| PEKINGt Nov. 2l.-The ceremony at the
Imperial palace this morning, when the
members OF the diplomatic corps presented
the condolences of their respective govern
ments on the deaths OF the emperor and
the dowager empress OF China, was one
Of the most impressive ever witnessed in
Pekng.
A notable feature was the presence of
every member of the imperial clan. as we'll
ported dead or eliminated from the CON
duct of affairs of state. This was the
answer Of the government to the rumors of
suicide and deaths current in Peking for
the past week.
! No opportunity was lost to make the func-
| tlons striking. Prince Ching, for the first
time since the passing away of their
ma ajestes. appeared officially as the head
of the foreign board. The chiefs of the
various governmental departments 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
Spectacle is Unprecedented.
Each foreign legation was represented 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 terraces leading to the Chen
Ching 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 a command
ing one. The approaches were lined with
a remarkable display of red umbrellas,
huge fans and screens OF many colors and
other objects OF decoration used by the
court for professions.
|, The day was bright and sunny, and the
multi-coored emblems were vivid against
the white stone work and the spotlessly
white garments Of the assembled officials.
Bodies in Separate Halls.
| Tho bodies of their majesties reposed
each in a separate hail. The catafaique Of
the emperor was on a dais in the Chen
I 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 white curtain. as also
were the numerous mirrors in the throne
room. while satin screens, set at oblique
angles to the catafalaue. shut out from the
view OF the foreign representatives a
4 numerous gathering of mourning palace at
\ tendants and servants.
Prince Chun, the regent, stood at a table
beside the catafalque OF the emperor.
The body of the empress lay In state IN
her own private palace. called Huang Chi
Tlen. where she received the congratula-
tions of the diplomats on November g. on
the occasion OF the seventy-fifth anniversary
Of her birth. This palace is located in the
east wing OF the Forbidden City. a section
heretofore called the harem quarter.
Chinese Women Present.
The diplomats passed from the hall where
lay the body of the emperor to the palace
of the dowager and they were preceded by
Prince Chun who covered the distance
with unmistakable evidences of haste. The
catafalque of her majesty also was
flanked by white screens. Behind that on
the left were grouped all the women of the
imperial clan, attended by their serving
women and they were all plainly visible to
the foreigners The men OF the imperial
clan were behind the screens on the right
side. The mourning dress of the court is
exactly the same as that worn by the pop
, ulaee.
Practically every official in Picking. to-
gether with many men of high standing
, who expect office. was present. Prince
, Ching. president Of the Foreign board, was
conspicuous for his alertness. Yuan Shl
Kai, member OF the grand council, It was
noticed hmped from the effects of a
J 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, ana as q
result cautious diplomats were prepared for
something different than what these
eulogies had led them to expect. particu-
larly in the light of the edict issued yes
terday aceentuating his powers In ap-
pearance the prince was a disappointment
: He bears a strong resemblance to the late
|, Kuang Hsu. His face was worn and drawn
2 l...r. - 81.