Evening bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1895-1912, 1908-12-12
PRINCE CHUN DID
NOT IMPRESS Them
Solemn Ceremony While
Bodies Of Royalty
Lie In State


morning when the members of the
diplomatic corps presented the condo
lcnces of their respective govern.
monts on the deaths of the Empress
end the Dowager Empress of China
was one of the most impressive ever
witnessed in Peking. A notable fea-
ture was the presence. of every mem
Der 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 an
swer Of the Government tothc rumors
OF suicides and deaths current in Pc
king for the past week.
No opportunity was lost to make the
functions striking. Prince Ching, Tor
the first time since the passing away
of their majcsties, appeared officially
at the head of the Foreign Board. The
chiefs Of the various Governmental
departments were present, and in adj
dition several thousand minor OFF,
cials. all dressed in white. AT the
conclusion OF functions in honor of
TO Prince Ching, the Regent.
| Spectacle a Great One.
Each foreign legation was repre-
lcnted by three Of its members and
the spectacle as the foreigners APP
preached the palace was mprecedent-
ed. They marched through a throng
of mandarins distributed over the
three marble terraces leading to the
| Chen Ching Kung hall, located at the
| head of the main avenue of the For.
hidden City. This building is used to
receive foreign Ministers when they
come to present their credentials, and
its position is commanding one. The
approaches were lighted by u remark
able 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 emblcms were vivid
/ gainst the white stoncwork and the
spotless white garments of the as
sembled officials.
|
posed each in n separate hall. The
catafalque of the Emperor was on
Gals In the Chen Ching hall and was
draped In black satins embroidered
with dragons. The large image of a
| birh above the throne, cnfblematic Of
the glory and beauty that good gov.
trnment sheds over the world, was
covered over with a white curtain,
Us also were the numerous mirrors in
the throne room, white satin screens,
set at oblique angle to the catafalque,
| shut out from the view of the foreign
representatives numerous gathering
of mourning, palace attendants and
servants. Prince Cilun. the regent,
stood ny n table beside the catafalque
of the Emperor.
Prince chun's Haste.
| The Dowager Empress lay In state
In her own private palace, called
Huang Chi Tien where she received
the congratulations of the diplomats
On November 3rd on the occasion of
the seNenty-fourth anniversary of her
birth. The diplomats passed from the
hall whore lay the body of the EN-.
peror to the palace OF the Dowager,
and they were preceded by Prince
Chun, who covered the distance with
unmistakable evidence of haste. The
catafalque, of her majesty also was
Ranked 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 foreigners. The
the screens on the right side. Tho
mourning dress of the court was the
same as that worn by the populace.
Virtually every official in Picking,
together with many men of high
standing who expect office, was pres
ent. Prince Ching. president of the
Foreign Board, was conspicuous for
his alertness. Yuan Shin Kai, mem.
Der of the Grand Council,>it was no.
ticed, !imped from the effects of are.
cent accident.
chun is Disappointing.
The appearance of Prince Chun was
I oted with the greatest interest. The
| praises of the regent have been sung
during the past few days In fulsome
terms, and as a result cautious dlplo-
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
accentuating his powers In appear
ance, The Prince was disappoint.
ment. He bears a strong resemblance
to the late Kuang Hsu. His face was
worn and drawn and bore an expires.
sion of fright