New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-05-02

into his carriage. and with an escort Oh his
troops. men from An-Hui, in picturesque
uniforms OF dark blue with black turoans'
and two executioners made bloody UP
throngh the streets Of Picking. leaving a
trail Of headless bodies OF hooters ana
thieves. 1t was brutal, perhaps but 1t dih
the business and since that DAY fehihe
has been peaceful city
The guests and officials gathered III '"e
lower halls Of the Wal Wu-pu Building
spacious. modern structure, built on west
ern lines. with little of the Chinese ABOUT
Il. except the furnishings. \ few minutes
bafore z o'clock an official OF Yuan's stan
stood st the foot OF the great staircase
and called off the names or the various
delegations and representatives. Ihere-
upon the delegations assembled the stairs
and went to a great reception room ABOUT
tvo-thirds Of the size Of the East Room OF
the White House. There each group TOOK
its appointed place.
Tho Delegates from Marking.
The delegates from Marking stood In
straight line in the middle of the room. A
long. straight, black line ii was. Groups OIL
officers of the army and navy. OF generals
representing the Manchu bannermen anu
representatives OF the police lined UP l'l-
mediateJy behind On the right ana the iell
there were other delegations, facing inward
Altogether they formed three sides OF
square and faced an open space "heio
presently Yuan Shh-kai would take MS
oath of office.
When every one was in place side door
was thrown open and Yuan Shih-kai was
ushered into the room, preceded hanKeo
and followed by officers OF his own st'H'
He advanced to the centre OF the room
and returned the profound bow when tue
entire assemblage made. Here was an
other sign OF the times The people bowed
from the waist down and not In the usnal
Chinese way. which is n bending OF the
knees with the right hand dropping DOWN
ward almost to the ground.
4 secretary handed Yuan scroll covered
with large Chinese characters and the
great man began Immediately 70 read. Ills
voice was low, and those who know him
best say that his manner was tense. lie
could scarcely be heard in the far corners
Of the room. He read the oath. which said
that he promised TO work for the spirit OF
lrepublicanism and would do away with
absoutism. He would work for the good
of the nation and he, took oath before the
people Of China 10 do these things. lilo
swore by nothing. as Christian rulers do,
but simply promised. When he had I'm
ished Tsai Yuan-pei. leader OF the reVoh-
tionary delegation, advanced. and yuan
with O bow. placed the scroll in his hands,
Tsai Yuan-pei is small man. with a
straggly, black sparse beard and con-
siderable amount OF very black hair. lie
spoke FOR a few moments extending his
felicitations and congratulations. Then he
bowed and resumed his place.
Picturesque Lama Priests.
| Following this came an interesting part,
and tho only part that was picturesque.
Two Lama priests. clad in brilliant yellow
one Of them the chief Lama OF Picking. ad-
vanced and went through curious cere-
mony. They presented Yuan with two small
images, and in return Yuan placed around
their necks silken scsrfs. It constituted the
blessing Of the Lama Church. and the
Lamas thus gave their allegiance TO Yuan
Shih-kal as the head Of the state. None
but emperors have ever participated IN such
things before.
Following this the entire Marking dele
cation advanced IN line. They came 10 a
stop after few PAGES and then bowed low
to Yuan. Yuan responded, and the deleGa-
ton returned to It's place. Then the other
delegations came forward. one by one, lining
up directly in front OF the provisional Presi-
dent Of the Republic Of China and bowling.
Some Of the older men. forgetting the new
customs, made the old kind OF DOW Yuan.
however always bowed from the waist, and
was most digniAed. Among others who
paid their respects were several foreigners
employed In the Chimes government service.
When the bowling was over Yuan Shih-
| kai withdrew from the room. and tho crowd.
which numbered less than two hundred,
went into the halls. Presently there WAS a
reception, and all were presented TO Yuan
Shh-kai; at least they went in groups TO
where he was and bowed to him. The for
eigners shook him by the hand, the Chinese
simply bowed. Below there were light re-
frcshments, and when these had been par
taken OF the ceremonial attending the in
auguration OF the first President Of a united
China was ended.
II was exceedingly simple and very quiot-
" conducted Throughout the ceremony In
a sound, no display OF enthusiasm and 10
applause The Chinese do things very oil-
fcrently from any other people I'm the
world In the courtyard outside there was
q Chinese military band, which played cN-
ceedngly we'll During portion OF the
ceremony strains came up from the court
yard.