The Topeka state journal., 1908-11-16
HSl AN is DEAD.
Her Death Followed Closely on
That Of the Emperor.
Both Of Them Passed Away
Alone and Unattended.
BOY THREE YEARS OLD
Placed Upon the Throne by a
Public Edict.
His Father Made Regent by
Same Authority.
BOY THREE YEARS OLD

Pekin. Nov. 16.-Following the publi-
cation of the late Emperor Kuang
Hsu's valedictory, recommending the
reference of important affairs to the
empress dowager, now dead, another
edict was issued at 1 O'Clock this morn
ing, giving the late dowager's vale
dictory commencing the new dowager,
I Yehonaia, to the confidence of the
young emperor's regents.
The new emperor's- installation on the
| throne and the naming of the era will
| take place, it is expected, on the
Chinese new year, January 81.
AT o'clock this afternoon a confer
| ence Of diplomats was held to discuss
proper steps for the recognition of the
| new government.
Tsze Hsi An, the dowager empress of
China, autocratic head of the govern
! ment. which she directed without sue
2 o'clock Sunday afternoon.
The announcement of the dowager
empress's death was official and fol-
lowed closely upon the announcement
that Kuang Hsu, the emperor, had died
Saturda+- at 8 O'Clock in the afternoon,
but it is believed death occurred a con-
siderable time before that set down in
the official statement. An edict issued
at o'clock Sunday morning placed
upon the throne Prince Pu vi the
three-yearzold son of Prince Chun, the
| regent Of the empire, in accordance
with the promise given by the dowager
empress soon after the marriage of
Prince Chun in 1903 An edict issued
on Friday made FL vi heir preSump-
tive.
Legations Notified.
The foreign legations were notified by
the foreign board of the death of the
emperor and the succession of Prince
Pu VI. Troops have been in readiness
for several days to quell any disturb
ance that might arise on the death Of
Kuang Hsu, and the possibility of up
rising was made greater because of the
fact that the death of the dowager en-
press was known to be close at hand
Two divisions of troops have been held
in reserve, and these are now stationed
in various quarters of the city. Twenty
gendarmes were dispatched to guard
the legations, but up to the present
time the duties of the forces have been
slight. 1t was announced that the
legation guard was ordered out at "the
special call of the legations on account
of the emperor'S DEATH
Prince Chun, the regent, has or
dered the viceroys and governors to
take precautions for the continuation
of the administration of the provinces
as heretofore and he has ordered
hundred days of mourning. The court
will go into mourning for three years.
Pekin already has been greatly
transformed; all red objects have
been removed and blue substituted.
The people learned last evening of the
though the Chinese are in no wise
emotional they showed that they
were profoundly impressed by the
passing of their powerful ruler. The
foreigners in the city are watching
the strange ceremonies with great
interest. At the palace elaborate
rites are being observed and a flood
of edicts has been sent forth.
Alone and Unattended.
Death bed observances of three
thousand years ago marked the pass
ing of the emperor and dowager.
They died alone and unattended, al
though surrounded by circles of
abject spectators who remained rod
distant, as on account of the sacred
persons of their majesties, they
could not be approached. The en-
peror died as he had lived, without
ministration of whatever kind or
scientific aid. For months he had re-
fused to permit the service of for
eign physicians and although it was
stated that he had gone back to the
old form of medical treatment. it is
believed latterly he received no treat
ment at all.
The government has given out that
the dowager empress, in a lucid in
terval on Friday, last, received Prince
Ching. who is a Manchu and a MEM
Der of the royal family and approved
edicts declaring Prince Pu vi heir
presumptive and Prince Chun,
regent of the empire. Prince Ching
was. at the beginning of the boxer
outbreak, lord chamberlain of the
court and commander of the Pekin
field forces. 1t was on him that the
foreign officials hung hopes of the
safety of the ENJOYS. He had held
many of the positions and was high
in imperial favor
That the dowager empress took this
step is discredited; nevertheless she
is believed to have successfully es-
tablished the Chun regime, which is
the Manchu regime without obstacle.
solution of the difficulty which has
confronted the government is the
best possible.
Until word of the dowager's death
is spread broadcast, no general dis
orders are apprehended. China is
quieter now than at any time since
1900. Local disorders in the south
north is more inclined to peace. There
are few signs of antagonism to
foreigners, and there is no manner of
doubt that Prince Chun will be able
to meet the situation, as he is recog-
nized as thoroughly progressive and
is the most acceptable man that
could be chosen to those most dis
formers. Antagonism on the part of
conservatives and even an insurrec-
tionary movement is conceivable be-
cause the death of the powerful wom-
an who dominated all, and the weak
ling emperor, sweeps away the old
palace corruptionists.