The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1908-11-22
CEREMONIES IN
HONOR OF DEAD
Elaborate Functions at PekIn
Attended by Foreign
Diplomatic Crops.
PRINCE CHUN WAS NERVOUS
REGENT APPEARED FRIGHT
ENEO AT HIS OWN SHADOW.

Pekin. Nov. 21.-The ceremony at the
imperial palace this morning. when the
members of the diplomatic corps pre-
sented the condolences OF their re-
spectiye government on the deaths OF
the emperor and the dowager empress
of China. was one of the most impress
sive ever witnessed in Pekin. A nota-
bic feature was the presence Of every
member of the imperial clan. as well
as every official who had been reported
dead or eliminated from the conduct OF
affairs of state. This was the answer
of the government to the ruuors of
suicides and deaths current in Pekin
for the past 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 add
ton several thousand minor officials.
all dressed in white. At the conclusion
of functions in honor of the dead. the
diplomats paid homage to Prince Chun,
the regent.
Foreign Legations Present.
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 a throng of manda-
rims distributed over the three marble
terraces 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 for
eign ministers when they come TO pre-
sent their credentials, and its position
is commanding one. The approaches
were lighted by a remarkable display
of red umbrellas. huge fans and
screens of many colors and other OBJ
jects 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 stonework and the spotless
white garments of the assembled off,
Gals.
The bodies of their majesties re-
posed each in a separate hall. The ca
tafalque of the emperor was on dais
in the Chen Ching hall and was
draped in black satin, embroidered
with dragons. The large image of a
bird above the throne. emblematic of
the glory and beauty that good gov
eminent sheds over the world, was COW
cred over with white curtain, as also
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 repre-
sentatiyes a numerous gathering of
mourning palace attendants and SER
wants. 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-
CALCULATIONS of the diplomats on Nov.
Il - rrr p
anniversary of her BIRTH This palace
is located in the east wing of the For
hidden City, a section heretofore called
the harem quarter.
Women Were Mourners.
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
evidence of haste. The catafalGue of
her majesty also was fianked by white
screens. Behind that on the left were
grouped all the women of the imperial
clan, attended by their servants, and
they were all plainly visible to the for
eigners. The men OF the imperial clan
were behind the screens on the right
side. The mourning dress of the court
I was the same as worn by the Dopulace.
/ Practically every official in Pekin, to-
gether with many men of high standing
who expect office. were present. Prince
| Ching, president of the foreign board,
was conspicuous for his alertness. Yuan
| Shi Kai, member of the grand council ii
was noticed. limped from the effects of
| z recent accident
The appearance of Prince Chun was
noted with the greatest interest. The
praises of the regent have been sung dur
| ing the past few days in fulsome terms
and as a result. cautious Diplomats were
prepared for something different than
what these eulogies had led them to ex-
pect, particularly III the light of the edict
issued yesterday, accentuating his powers.
| In appearance, the prince WIS = disap-
/ pointment- He bears 4 strong resen1
/ blance to the late kuang Hsu- His face
I sion Of fright.