Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-11-16
Ceremonies 5000 Years Old.

Death-bed observances of 5000 years
ago marked the passing of the emperor
and dowager They died alone and unat-
tended, although surrounded by circles
OF abject spectators, who remained rod
distant. as. en- account Of the sacred per-
sons of their majesties. they could not
be approached
The emperor died as he had lived, with
out mnistration of any kind or scientific
| aid For months he had refused to permit
| the services OF foreign physicians. Although
il stated he had gone back to the
Old form of medical treatment, it is be-
| lieved latterly he received no treatment
at all.
The government has given out that the
dowager empress. in a lucid interval Fri
day last, received Prince Ching a Manchu
and member of the royal family, and
| approved the edicts declaring Prince Pu
VI heir presumptive and Prince Chun
regent of the empire.
| Prince Ching was. at the beginning Of
| the Boxer outbreak, lord chamberlain of
the court and commander of the Picking
| field force. 1t was on Prince Ching that
| the foreign officials hung hopes of the
safety of the ENJOYS. He has held many
official positions and was high in imperial
| favor.
| That the dowager empress took this
| step is discredited Nevertheless, she Is
believed to have successfully established
the Chun regime. which is the Manchu
regime, without obstacle. The opinion is
held here that this solution of the diff
Guilty. which has necessarily confronted
the government. is the best possible.
| Until word of the dowagers death is
| spread broadcast no general disorders are
apprehended. China is Quieter now than
at any time since 1900. Local disorders
in the south are possible on any pre-
text. The north Is more inclined to peace
There are few signs Of antagonism to
| foreigners.
| There Is no manner OF doubt that Prince
| Chun will be able to meet the situation
He is recognized as thoroughly progress
| sive. He is the most acceptable man that
could be chosen to those most disposed to
| cause trouble-the reformers.
Antagonlsm on the part Of the conserva-
tives. and even an insurrectionary move
ment. is conceivable. because the death
Of the powerful woman who dominated
all and the weakling emperor sweeps
away the old palace corruptionists.
Empress May Have Been Killed.
LONDON November 16. The Times
Picking correspondent says there are
countless rumors concerning the nature of
the emperors illness and the manner of
his death.
No scientific opinion could be obtained.
The general description Of the symptoms
| indicated a severe nervous affection, in
which complications arose that caused
death.
The palace officials. according to the
correspondent, state that the emperor de-
clined to allow himself to be removed to
the pavilion of peaceful longevity. thus
violating presidents. and eventually ex-
pired, without DOMINIC the robes proper to
the occasion. in the same quarter Of the
palace in which he was confined after the
coup d'etat Of 1898.
His relations with the dowager empress
remained strained to the last.
AS the dowager's decree. issued late
Saturday night, appointing the new en-
peror indicates no impairment OF her vi
tality, her unexpected death excites sus-
picion of foul play. There are rumors
of disorder In the palace and it's pre-
cincts.
All accounts agree that the new dow
ager empress Is a complete nonenttty
But the new regents mOther-in-laW IL
a woman of strong character, and is GER
tain to exercise an important influence
in the new regime.