Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-11-20

throughout the palace that their maJes-
ties were dead condition of panic en-
sued. The widow of Tung Chi attempted
to commit suicide because she perceived
she would not be made dowager empress.
There was an outbreak of wailing and
general pandemonium such as accompa-
MED the giving of the order that their
maJesties should be clad in their I'M
perial robes for death
Many of the palace eunuchs fed, carry
ing with them such valuables as they
could lay their hands on. The Dowager
Empress Yehonala was one of the Few
who retained her presence of mind She
ordered that the gates be guarded. and
gave, other instructions for the mainten-
ance and restoration of order.
Now the eunuChs have returned ana
have been reinStated. and except for the
continuance of funeral obseauies and OBJ
normal The principal concubines of the
late Emperor Kwang-hsu have been pen
stoned.
Emperor Cries Day and Night.
Pu vi, the baby emperor, has been
taken from his family and is sedulouslN
cared for within the palace precincts
He is popularity reported as crying day
and night for his old nurse.
An edict ordering posthumous honors
for the late dowager empress was issued
today, and it enumerates for the fourth
time since the death of her majesty the
program of reforms to which the new
regime is committed. These political
edicts first began appearing four days
ago. when, in the name of the emperor
and the grand council. two DEGREES were
published entailing upon the infant en-
peror, Pu vi, the carrying out of the re-
forms already inaugurated by his prede-
ceSSor. One OF these communications.
after specifying a number of the reforms
IN question. says:
I'VE have received reverently the de-
cree of the dowager empress appointing
Pu vi to be emperor. As this prince
shows promise of being filsl and intelii-
gent, he can count upon the care and
support of the dowager empress, and
through his devotion to affairs of state
he may bring tranquility to the empire.
Officials must purify their hearts. aban-
don all abuses and heartily obey previous
edicts.''
Empress Posthumous Edict.
Still another edict that was issued in the
name of the late dowager empress says:
My attention has been given to a
myriad of affairs. and my strength and
my heart are exhausted Since last sum-
mer L have been Ill and not able to as
sist in the multitudinous affairs of the
government with tranquility. For long
have been without appetite, nor have
been able to sleep. On November II
came the sorrow of the death of the en-
peror, and 1t was then impossible for me
to exercise self-control. Following this
day my illness increased. until now / am
not able to rise from my couch
Il 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 respite.
Reform in the method of government
has begun, and these ideas Will be con-
tinued and developed. The regent and
all other officials should exert themselves
to strengthen the foundations of the en-
pire. Let the Emperor Pu VI make the
affairs of the empire of the, first i'm
portance. and to this end let him be ade-
quately instructed -
These various edicts, taken together,
are considered to commit the new regime
conclusively to program of reform and
progress.