Omaha daily bee., 1908-11-14


bin at Peking. reporting that the emperor
was dying TIE message was sent about
o'clock this afternoon, Peking time.
PEKING. Nov. 1s.--10;SO p. NIT Is re-
ported that the dowager empress also is
dying.
PEKING Nov. 13-The emperor of China
was reported dead at o'clock this after
noon. 1t had. however, been impossible to
secure official confirmation of this an
nouncement up 20 O'Clock this evening.
His majesty was transferred to the death
chamber at 2 O'Clock in the afternoon. Al
that hour he was still breathing.
Two imperial edicts were issued from the
palace this afternoon in quick succession.
Pfrhe first makes Prince Chun regent OF the
y empire. and tile second appoints his son.
.TPu Wei, heir prcsumptve.
The runnor of the serious sickness of the
dowager empress. n true. would explain the
two edlcts issued late this afternoon re-
garding a regency for the empire.
The foreign residents OF Picking are con-
fused by the sudden developments OF today
and the various reports and rumors ema-
mating from the palace. 1t is absolutely
impossible 70 obtain any confirmation off
cialIy OF the reported death OF the emperor
and the condition OF the dowager empress
There is a certain amount of suspicion In
regard to what is actually transpiring. IL
IL believed that the government will utilize
The dying condition OF the emperor, If he
u not already dead. to screen the condition
OF the dow ager empress. The edicts OF to-
DAY bear the name of Kuang-Hsu. which
Indie ates that he was still alive at the hour
the members OF the grand council were in
Conference at the palace. This was at ?
O'clock this afternoon
THE second ediet orders that Pu Wei
son OF Prince Chun, child of s years old,
Ne trained In the palace for a succession TO
the throne This makes him heir presump-
live. sq ~.
rhe hour of the dag at which these edicts
we're issued shows that the imperial family
as wen az the grand councillors, before
deciding upon the appointment Of Prince
lchun to the regency. awaited the return
tof Prince Ching. president of the Board
or Foreign Affairs. from the eastern
tornbs. whittier he went % inspect the
nausoiem of the dowager empress
simultaneously with the femoval OF tho
erperor from the Winter palace to the
death chamber in the Forbidden City. the
members Of the grand council assembled
IA the palace The dowager empress was
present at this meeting and Is reported to
have swooned At 40 This afternoon
rclace official OF high standing said the
emperor was stiH awe.
All the government offices are deserted
The palace is crowded with officials.
EmperOr's Brother Regent.
Prince Chun IL a brother Of tho en-
peror. His name Is Tsal Feng. and he sue
eeeded TO the title of his father, Prince
chun, in 1891. He is a lieutenant general
OF the Plain White Banner corps ana Wis
tied Germany in 1901 as a special commits
- sioner of the throne.
rhe last Illness OF the emperor assumed
serious aspect a fortnight ago. II was
thep declared that he was suffering from
a grave intestinal complaint. He has per
slstently refused to accept western medical
attendance, althoush medical men attached
~ 10 the legations have stood ready TO give
their services.
His majesty has been suffering for ten
years past from chronic nephritls, which
recently became complicated with diabetes
and sciatica 1t was admitted yesterday
that his brain was affected The mem
bers OF the grand council have been in
close attendance at the palace for ten
DAYS. Statements officially Fazetted that
his majesty was in conference with the
councillors were absolutely untrue and
were made for the purpose OF misleading
the public.
Emperor watch Expert.
members OF the diplomatic corps In posi-
tlon to know about the life OF the emperor
OF China, his delicate health forbade free
Indulgence In outdoor sports. He found
his greatest recreation in the study OF
u1ec.Ianicai contrivances. His envoys and
antsmates were able to please him i'm
snensely by sending him models and notes
Of inventions, and none Of his subjects
st,idied more carefully than ne the reports,
Of 4.
vices, which he utilized for the improve
ment OF conditions in the empire.
Particularly attractive to the emperor
were clocks and watches. In the Winter
palace at Picking. and IN the royal summer
residence. souie miles distant, were hun
dreds OF clocks from AL parts OF the world
nearly all OF different makes and styles
Nothing Is said to have pleased the EN-
peror more than 10 tear clock 10 pieces
and then assemble its parts. he became
quite expert In the adjustment OF these
timepleees His collection Of these CON
triyances ia said to have been one of the
most complete In the orient. not only rep
resenting modern work. but the develop
ustnt OF time recorders through the cen
turiss.
ExpressiOn from Minister Wa.
u 4he Associated Press dispatches gave tn,
\ first news OF the death OF the emperor
When they were shown TO Minister WI
Tnr-fanR the minister commented;
0But reports OF his death have been re
ceived before"
He added, however, that while he hAc
n6t been notified, such notification was mo-
Ia De expected Immediately after the death
=, an account OF the commotion which woulC
foliow the death OF the emperor. Con
firtuation Of the demise, he continued
would probably be made BY the American
niinistsr at Peking,
- phrough nearly an OF the thirfy-foui
scoainusd On second Psss'