Camas Prairie chronicle. [volume] (Cottonwood, Idaho) 1901-1917, 1908-11-27
CONDOLENCES GIVEN
BY DIPlOM TIC CORPS AT
CITY OF PEKlNG.
On Death of Emperor and Dowager En-
press of China--Bodies in Separate
Halls-Every Member of Imperial
Clan Was Present-Wild Rumors
Proved False.

Peking.-The ceremony at the impe-
rial palace Saturday morning when the
members of the diplomatic corps pre-
scented the condolences of their re-
spective governments on the death of
the emperor and dowager empress of
China was one of the most impressive
ever witnessed in Picking. A notable
feature was the presence of every mem
Der of the imperial clan, as well as every
official who had been reported either
dead or eliminated from the conduct of
affairs of state
This was the answer of the govern
ment to the rumors of suicides and
deaths current in Picking for the last
week.
No opportunity was lost to make the
function 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 government de-
partments were present and in addi-
ton several thousand minor officials,
all dressed in white. At the conclusion
of the functions in honor of the dead
the diplomats paid homage to Prince
Chun, the regent.
Each foreign legation was represented
by three of its members and the spec
tacle as the foreigners approached the
palace was unprecedented. They march
ed through a throng of mandarins dis
tributed over the three marble ter
races leading to the Chen Ching Kung
hall, at the head of the main avenue of
the Forbidden City. The building is
used to receive foreign ministers when
they come to present their credentials,
and its position is a commanding one.
The approaches were lined by a re-
markable 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 emblems were vivid
against the white stone work and the
spotless white garments of the assem-
bled officials.
The bodies of their majesties reposed
each in a separate hail. The catafalque
of the emperor was on dais in the
Chen Ching hall and was draped in
black satin, embroidered with dragons.
The large image of bird above the
throne, emblematic of the greater
glory and beauty that good govern
ment sheds over the world, was COW
cred over with white curtain, as were
the numerous mirrors in the throne
room, while satin screens set at oblique
angle to the catafalque shut out from
view of the foreign representatives a
numerous gathering of mourning pal
ace attaches and servants.
Prince Chun, the regent, stood at a
} table beside the catafalque of the en-
peror. 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 3, on the occasion of
the 74th anniversary of her birth. This
palace is located in the east wing OF
the Forbidden City, a section hereto
! fore called the harem quarter.
The diplomats passed from the hal
where lay the body of the emperor tc
that of the dowager empress and were
} preceded by Prime Chun, who covered
the distance with unmistakable evi
dences of haste. The catafalque of hel
majesty also was fanked by white
screens Behind that on the left were
grouped all the women of the imperia
! clan, attended by their servants, ant
they were all plainly visible to thu
foreigners. The men of the imperia
clan were behind the screens on the
right side. The mourning dress of thu
court was the same as worn by thu
I populace
E Virtually every official of Picking, to
gether with many men of high stand
ing who expect Office, were present
Prince Chun, president of the foreign
board, was conspicuous for his alert
ness. Yuan Shi Kai, member of tn,
grand council, it was noticed, limpe(
from the effects of recent accident
The appearance of Prince Chun wa
a the greatest interest. The praises O.
= the regent have been sung during tn,
last few days in fulsome terms and a
result cautious diplomats were pre-
pared for something different thar
what these eulogies had led them t.
+ expect, especially in the light of tn
edict issued yesterday, accentuatini
his powers. In appearance the prime,
, was disappointment. He bears I
: strong resemblance to the late Kuanl
Hsu. His face was worn and drawn
and bore an expression of fright.