The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1908-11-16
Passing of Tsze Hsi An, Who for
Nearly Half-Century Ruled
With Iron Hand.
CHILD OF THREE YEARS
IS NOW UPON THRONE
Forbidden City in Mourning,
but No Serious Outbreaks
Are Feared.

PEKING, Nov 15.-Tsze Hsi An, the
dowager empress of China, autocratic
head of the government, which she di-
rected without successful interference
since 1861, and without protest since
1881, died, at clock this afternoon.
The announcement of the dowager
emprcss's death was official and fol
lowed closely upon the announcement
that Kuang Hsu, the emperor, had died
yesterday at 5 clock in the afternoon,
but it is believed the deaths occurred
considerable time before that set
down in the official statement.
An edict issued at 8 clock this
morning placed upon the throne Prince
Pu vi, the three-year- r-old son of Prince
cordance with promise given by the
dowager er-empress soop after the mar
riage of Prince Chun in 1903. An edict
issued on Friday made Prince Pp VI
heir-pIesumptive.
Troops Were at Hand.
The foreign legations were notified
this morning. by the foreign board, of
the death OF the emperor and the sue
cession of Prince Pu Vi. Troops have
been in readiness for several days To
quell any disorders that might arise
sibility OF uprisings was made greater
because of the fact that the death of
the dowager- empress 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 ciH. Twenty geudarmes were
dispatched to guard the legation, but up
have been slight. 1t was announced
that the legation guard was ordered
out at ''the special call of the lega-
tlons, on account OF the empcror's
death. -
Prince Chun. the regent, has ordered
the viceroys and governors 10 take pre-
cautions for the continuation of the ad-
tofore, aud ne has ordered hundred
days of mourning. The court Will 90
into moruning for three years,
City in Mourning.
Peking has already been greatly
transformed. All red objects have been
removed and blue substituted, The peo.
pie learned this evening OF the dearl
of the dowager empress, and, although
the Chinese are in 10 wise emotional
they showed that they were profoundly
impressed by the passing OF their pow.
ertul ruler. The foreigners in the city
are watching the strange ceremonies
with great interest. At the palace
elaborate rites are being observed. A
flood OF edicrs has been sent forth.
Deathbed observances of three thou
sand years also marked the passing OF
the emperor and dowager. They died
alone and unattended, although sur
rounded by circles of abject spectators,
who remained a rod distant, as, on ac-
count OF the sacred persons of their
maiestles. they could not be approached.
The emperor died as he had lived. with
out whatever kind of administration
or scientific aid. For months be had
refused to permit the services of for
elgn physicians. and, although il was
stated that be had gone back to the
old form OF medical treatment, it is be-
lieved that latterly he received no treat
ment at all.
Last Lucid Interval
The government has given out that
the dowager empress, In Il lucid interval
on Friday last. received Prince Ching,
who is Manchu, and a member of the
royal family, and approved the Adicts
declaring Prince Pu Vi heir-presumptive
and Prince Chun regent OF the empire.
Prince Chung was. at the beginning Of
the Boxer outbreak, Lord Chamberlain
Of the court, and commander OF the
Peking field forces. 1t was on him
that the foreign officials hung hopos OF
the envoys. He has had many of the
positions, and was high IN imperial
favor.
That The dowager-empress took this
step is discreditcd Nevertheless. she
is believed TO have successfully estab-
lished the Chun regime, which is the
Manchu regime. without object, and the
opinion is held here that this solution
of the difficulty, which has confronted
the government, is the best possible.
Disorders Not Feared.
Until word of the death is spread
broadcast, no disorders are appre-
hended. China is quieter now than NJ
any time since 1900. Local disorders
in the South are possible on any pre-.
text. but the North is more inclined
10 peace. There are few signs Of an.
to foreigners. and there is no
manner of doubt that Prince Chun will
De able TO meet the situation. lie is
recognized as thoroughly progressive,
md is the most acceptable man thai
.ould be chosen to those most disposed
o cause trouble, the reformcrs, An
a agonism on the part of the conserva-
ives and even an insurrection move
neut is conceivable, because the
leath of the powerful woman, who dom,
mated all, and the weakllng emperor
,weeps away the old palace corrup-