The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1908-11-19
DOWAGER EMPRESS
or CHINA DEAD
Tsze Hsi An, Born a Slave,
Ruled over Destinies of
270,o00,0 600 People.

Pekin, Nov. 18.-Tsze Hsi An, the
tdowager empress of China, the auto
cratic head OF the government, which
she has directed without successful in
reference since 1851, and without pro-
test since 1881, is dead. The
ment was official and followed closely
upon the announcement that Kuang
Eisu, the emperor, had died Saturday
at 5Ho'clock, In the afternoon, but 1t Is
believed the deaths occurred a consid-
cradle time before that set down in
the official statements. #a "
An official edict placed on the throne
Prince Pu VI, the ~3-year-old son of
Prince CHIN, the regent of the empire,
in accordance with a promise given by
the dowager empress soon after the
marriage of Prince Chun In 1909. An
edtct issued on Friday made Pu vi heir
presumptiye. 49, ",..r.,
In Mourning.
Prince Chun, the regent, has ordered
the Viceroys and governors to take pre-
cautions for the continuation OF the
administration of the provinces as
heretofore, and he has ordered q hun
dred days of mourning. The court will
go into mourning for three years.
Pekin already has been greatly trans
formed: all red objects have been re-
moved and blue substituted. The people
ACcA NAtAo NSAAAAA6 VI ilS uCal Vi
the dowager empress, and, although the
Chinese are in nowise emotional, they
showed that they were profoundly i'm
pressed by the passing of their power
full ruler. The foreigners particularly
are watching the strange ceremonies
with interest. At the palace elaborate
rites are being observed and q food OF
edicts a been sent forth.
: For a hundred days the court and
the people of rank wear white, trimmed
with white fur. this being the mourn
ing color OF China. ,s... ...... ,.
For the same period the men abstain
from shaving, while the women lay
dress. After the first term the garments
a black or dark hue for the fol-
lowing IL months. During this period
no betrothels take place among the bet
ter class, while for the others the cor
responding term Is limited to 100 days.
Entertainments and public rejoicings
are strictly suspended for one e E
China Is quieter now than at any
time since 1900. Local disorders in
the south are possible on any pretext,
but the north Is more inclined to peace.
There are few signs of a~ntagonism to
foreigners, Int there Is no manner Of
doubt that Prince Chun will be able to
meet the situation, as he Is recognized
as thoroughly progressive and Is the
most acceptable man that could be
chosen to those most disposed to cause
trouble, the reformers. Antagonism
on the part OF the conservatives and
even an insurrectionary movement is
conceivable because the death OF the
powerful woman who dominated all,
and the weakling emperor, sweeps
away the old palace corruptionists.
Began Life as Slave.
Tsze Hsi An Cor western empress)
was born November IL, 1884. She was
the child of a poor people who lived
in Pekin. At an early age, following q
common practice In China, she was sold
as q slave by her parents OF account OF
their poverty. She became the prop
erty OF a famous general, who. en-
chanted with her great beauty, adopted
her and offered her az q present to the
reigning emperor Hsien Feng. She so
charmed the emperor by her looks and
intelligence that he made her his sec
ondary wife, and on her bearing him q
son the future emperor, Tung Chin.
raised her to the first rank. On his
death size became the regent OF the
empire, administering the national af-
fairs with more vigor than any Of her
predecessors. -.
Her authority was complete over
about $4,000 officials and the welfare
and lives OF the vas majority OF tho
inhabitants Of China, who number close
to 270, 900, 1000.