The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1908-11-22
CEREMONIES FOR.
TWO DEAD RULERS
Impressive Spectacle as China
Pays Tribute to Late Emperor
and DOwager Empress.
MUCH OF RED TAPE IN
THE FORMS PRESENTED
Prince Chun, Now the Regent
Appears Mere a Weak, Scared
Man Than a Ruler.

PEKING, Nov 2l.-The ceremony at
the imperial palace this morning, when
tbe members of the diplomatc corps
presented the condolences of their re-
snective governments on the deaths. OF
the emperor and dowager empress OF
China, was one of the most Impressive
ever witnessed in Peking a notable
feature was the presence of every mem
her of the imperial clan, as we'll as
every official who had been reported
dead or eliminated from the conduct or
affairs of state. This was the answer
of the government TO the rumors OF
suicides and deaths current In Peklng
for The past week. ~.
M opportunity was lost to make the
functions striking. Prince Ching, tor
the first time since the passing away
of their majesties, appeared offlclai!y
ar the head Of the foreign board. Ihe
chiefs of the various governmental De
partments were present, and IN aodl-
rion several thousand minor otflclals'
of the functions in honor of the dead,
the diplomats paid homage to Prince
Chun, the regent.
Impressive Spectacle.
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 throng of mandarlns
distributed over the three marble ter"
races leading to the Chien Ching hung
han. located at the head of the main
Avenue e-n 60, Of the Forbidden City. This
building is used to receive foreign min
listers when they come To- present their
credentials, and its position is a com
manding one The. approaches were
lighted by remarkable display of red
umbrellas, huge fans and screens OF
many colors and other objects of dec
oration used by the court for state pro,
cessions. The day was bright and sunny
and the multi-colored emblems were
vivid against the white stonework and
the spotless white garments OF tue as
sembled officials.
The bodies of their majesties reposed
each in separate hall The cata-
faldue of the emperor was on dals IN
the CHEN Ching hall, and was draped
n black satin. embroidered with drag
ons. The large image of q bird above
tho throne. emblematic of the glory and
beauty that good government sheds over
the world, was covered over with
white curtain as also were the numer-
Gus mirrors in the throne room, while
satin screens, set at oblique angle to
the catafalque, shut out from the view
Of the foreign representatives numer-
Gus gathering OF mourning palace at
tendants and servants. Prime Chun, the
regent, stood at a table beside the cata-
falque OF the emperor.
Palace for Dead Empress.
The dowager empress lay in state in
her own private palace called Huapg
Chi Ten, whore she received the con.
gratulations Of the diplomats on No
yember g. on the occasion of the seven
tv.fourth anniversary of ner birth. This
palace IS located in the east wing of
the Forbidden City, section heretofore
called the harem quarter
The diplomats passed from the hall
where lay the body OF the emperor to
the palace Of the dowager. and they
sveres preceded BIZ Prince Chup. who
covered the distance with unmistakable
evidence of haste. The catafalque Of
her majesty also was thanked by white
screens. Behind that on the left were
grouped ali the women of the imperial
1hey were sll plainly visible to the
foreigners. The men OF the imperial
clan. were behind the screens on the
right side. The mourning dress of the
court was the same as worn by the
pnpulsce.
Office Seekers Present.
Practically every official in Peking,
together with many men OF high stand
ING who eXpect office, was present.
Prince Ching, president OF the foreign
board, was conspicuous for his alert
ness. Yuan Shi Kai, member of the
grand council, IL was noticed, limped
from the effects of a recent accident.
D. The appearance of Prince Chun was
noted with the greatest interest. The