The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1908-12-18
PU VI TODDLES
TO THE THRONE

PEKING, December 2.-The strietl
mourning which has been observed inI
this city since the death, fortnight
ago, of Emperor Kwang Hsu and the
Dowager Empress of China, was sus-
pended long enough this morning tol
permit the ascension to the DraponI
throne of the baby emperor, Pu vi who
becomes ruler of the kingdom nnder
the name of Hsuan-T Tung.
The ceremonies were brief. lasting
only half an hour. They were per.
formed by officials of the highest rank
and a number of coolies of the most
humble classes in the Empire were
brought into the palace to act as wit
nesses. Following the ceremony an inn
perial edict, proclaiming the ascension.
was issued. This communication con.
tains also grant of amnesty. The date
upon which the new Emperor win re-
ceive the members of the diplomatic
corps will be fixed later.
Not 1Soie of Music.
The ceremony of enforcement was
one OF striking interest. 1t included
obeisance to the tablets of the dead
Emperor and Empress Dowager and
prostratlons. before the infant EN-
peror, the three-year-old son of Prince
Ohnn, who today formally took the
throne.
The imperial proclamation for the
Junction was arranged at the palace
yesterday. 1t ordered that music for
the occasion be prepared, but that not
single note be played; this because of
the mourning of the court for their late
maJesties. Troops entered the eastern
gate or the palace at 'clock this.
morning. They took up their positions
inside, and the high officials of the en-
pure Degan to arrive. AT 10 o'clock not
less than $50 carriages, together with
vast number of sedan chairs resplen-
aent and brilliant in the winter sun
SHINE, were waiting outside the palace
ior the cermonles to come TO an end.
Kowtow Before Tablets.
The function began by the Princes
OF the imperial family and the biph
oihclals of the empire kowtowing to the
memorial tablets of their late maiesties
After this they all kowtowed in turn
to Pu vi. Pu vi then offered a saeri-
nee before the tablets of the Emperor
and the Dowager Empress. After this
he was relieved of his dress of mourn
ing and clad in a diminutive imperial
garment, embroidered with the imperiaI
dragon. His nurses performed this duty
with great attention and care. Tins
arrayed, the toddling Emperor ascended
the throne amid the fanfare of drums.
bells and firecrackers. He made his
way alone, and showed no need of the
assistance that willing hands would
nave given him had his little feet fal-
tered. From the throne Pu vi kow
lowed to his stepmother, the Dowaper
empress Yehonala. He then received
the kowtows, while still on the throne
OF all the Princes and officials present.
rms over, he descended and was apain
clad in his little dress of mourning
Coolies Act as Witnesses.
The ceremony took place in the
throne hall of the Forbidden City. The
oihcials present were selected with
great care, and were the highest men
IN the Empire. According to an old
established custom, number of hum
BILE coolies, men from the lowest walks
of life, were brought into the sacred
precincts of the Forbidden City to act
as witnesses. The soldiers played but
an inconspicuous part in the proceed
ings.
AT 11:So the officials began leaving
the palace. Traffic outside the Forbid
den City was at no time impeded.
Edict Grants Amnesty
The edict setting forth the accession
of Pu vi to the throne and granting
amnesty was carried with much cere-
mony to the throne hail. 1t was es-
corted by all the members of the Grand
Council, who We're in turn accompanied
by the members of the board of rights.
In the throne hall it was given the, of
fetal vermilion SEAL This observance
concluded, it was carried out of the
Forbidden City and thence to the Of
flee of the Board of Rights, where it
was proclaimed and put in circulation.
In addition to granting amnesties for
certain specified offenses, the edict re-
wards all the Imperial princes, prin-
cesses and dukes; it promotes all Off
cials by one degree and bestows hon
ors on their parents; it grasses the de-
merits entered against minor officials,
advances the degree of scholars, dis
misses all pending petty criminal cases,
excuses certain liabilities and grants
bounties to the soldiers in the service
of the Empire.
The fact that the enforcement of
the new Emperor has taken place, in
part reestablished confidence here and
has resulted in the prophecy in various
official circles of an extremely conser-
vative rule. The Dowager Empress has
, reinstated the notorious eunuch Ii Lien
Ying as head of the palace administra-
tion. Prince Chun Is first appointee was
personal friend.
| The best-informed ministers, how
L. n. Nl.....
ward sign of calm has been bought
with promises which if kept will com
pletely change the personnel of the Pc
king Government, Immediately the 100
days of mourning are ended.