The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1908-11-20
D0WAGER EMPRESS
OF CHINA DEAD
Tsze Hsi An, Born a Slave,
Ruled Over Destinies of
100000, 600 People.

Pekfn. Nov. 1S.-Tsze IIsi An. the
.dowager empress Of China, the auto
cratic head of the government, which
she has directed without successful in
terference since 1851, and without pro-
test since 1881, is dead. The
1nent was official and followed closely
upon .he announcement that kuang
dsu, the emperor, had died Saturday
at . O'Clock, in the afternoon, but it IS
peneVeu the deaths occurred 4 consid-
cradle time before that set. down in
The official statements.
An official edict placed on the throne
Prince Pu VI, the 3-vear-old son of
Prince Chtn. the regent of the empire,
IN accordance With a promise given by
the doWager empress soon after the
marriage of Prince Chun i'm 1903. An
edict issued on Friday made pu vi heir
PreSumptive.
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 a hun
dred days of mourning. The court will
go into mourning for three years.
Pekln already has been greatly trans
formed: all red objects have been re-
moved and blue substituted. The people
learned this evening of the death OF
~ Ss'y oAAo L lLt
mines 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 a flood of
edicts has 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.
For the same period the men abstain
from shaving, while the women lay
aside the favorite namenta head
dress. After the first term the garments
assume a black or dark hue for the fol-
lowing IL months. During this period
ter class, while for the others the cor
responding term is limited to 100 days.
, Entertainments II public rejoicings
are strictly suspended for one year.
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 antagonism to
foreigners, and there is no manner of
doubt that Princ 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 reforlners. Antagonisnl
on the part of the conservatives and
eve 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 II, 1884. She was
the child of a poo people who lived
in Pekin. At an early g following a
common practice in China. she was sold
as q slave by her parents on 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 as a 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 a
son the future emperor, Tung Chin,
raised her to the first rank. On his
death she became the regent of the
empire, administering the national at
fairs With more vigor than any Of her
predecessors.
Her authority was complete over
about $4,000 officials and the welfare
and lives Of h vast majority Of tho
inhabitants of China, who number close
to 270,0 00, 900.