Las Vegas optic. (East Las Vegas, N.M.) 1908-1921, 1912-09-13
ANCIENT AND MODERN RITES
PROCESSION TO GRAVE MADE
UP OF TYPES or OLD AND
NEW JAPAN.
MANY DIPLOMATS PRESENT
PHILANDER c KNOX, AMERICAN
SECRETARY OF STATE, HAS
HoNoRED PLACE.

/ Toxic, Sept. 1S.-The second part
Of the ceremonies in connection with
the funeral of the late Mutsuhito, EN-
peror Of Japan, took place tonight
when the casket containing the body
started on its journey to Aoyama,
whence it will be taken to Monoyama
for burial.
Imposing as had been the ceremon-
ial attended by the great dignitaries
in the palace earlier in the day when
the funeral service. serving to en-
phasize the contrast between the an
ciert-Shinto rites and the twentieth
century militarism, was conducted,
the passage of the funeral car
through the streets of the capital to-
night was even more impressive. Hun
Ndreds of thousands stood for hours in
absolute silence along the route as
the coffin passed.
The streets and boulevards were
brilliantly lighted by torches and arc
lights. Intersecting the lights were
placed large sacred trees and at fre-
quent intervals black and white cloth
covered poles, surmounted by wreaths
of evergreens, had been erected. At
o'clock in the evening those who
were to take part in the procession
began to assemble again at the pal
ace. Among them were the holders
Of orders of merit, officials of many
ranks, ministers of state, Korean
peers, members of the two houses of
parliament and Of the imperial cabi-
net, presidents of provincial assem-
blies, the mayor of Toxic and the
chairman Of the Toxic city council.
The foreign princes and special en-
bassies, including that from the Unit
ed States. headed by P. c. Knox, sec
retary of state, did not take part IN
this ceremony. The special envoys
and the foreign diplomats resident in
Toxic went directly after the conclu-
sion Of the funeral service to Aoyama.
All the officials gathered at the en-
trance Of the palace where double
line was formed. The great funeral
car, attended by large number of
Japanese of high rank, wearing the
ancient national court mourning cos
tune consisting of an upper robe Of
horse chestnut color. dull colored
loose trousers and coronet caps of
black silk, was then brought to the
gate.
To the wailing notes OF a Shinto
dirge the immense coffin was wheeled
in solemn procession from the main
hall. Chamberlains marched in front
Of the funeral car and following it
were the grand master Of ceremonies,
bearing the departed monarch's
sword, and the master Of the house
hold. carrying the imperial sword Of
state. On each side Of the casket
walked high officials Of the household
carrying lighted candles.
Profound silence prevailed as the
casket was placed on the funeral car
and all those gathered in the vicinity
of the palace barred their heads. On
the top Of the coffin reposed a small
white wooden tray on which the inn
perial sword was placed. Then the
doors Of the car were shut and
locked, the candles extinguished and
torches lighted by those who were to
march alongside.
When all the arrangements had
been completed. Emperor Yoshihito
and Empress Sadako, Princess Take
da, representing the empress dowa-
ger, whose physicians prohibited her
from taking part in the ceremonies,
and the princesses of the imperial
family came through the hall, entered
their carriages and started off alone
for Aoyama IN order to be ready to
receive the casket on its arrival there
After the departure Of their males