Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1912-09-19
HALF A MILLION
LINED THE ROUTE
Funeral Ceremonies Of Late EN-.
peror of Japan Are Begun
at Toxic.
EVERY NATION REPRESENTED
Sombre Colorings of Western
Mourning Are Replaced by
the Brilliant Hues of
the Orient.
EVERY NATION REPRESENTED

Toxic, Sept 13.-Tne funeral cere-
monies of the late Emperor Mutsuhitc
of Japan. posthumously known as tho
emperor of the Era of Enlightment,'
began to-day amid surroundings in
which century old rites and costumes
were mingled with modern military
display. From the most extreme
points of Japan subjects have been os
sembling in Toxic At midnight great
crowds had gathered along the route
of the procession. a police Gordon was
established. shutting off the streets
through which the body of the EN-
peror Will be transported ami upon
which 1t Is estimated half a million
people VIII be accommodated.
The sombre coloring associated vita
western mourning was almost entirely
absent. being replaced by the bril-
liant hues of the orient
Official representa- lives of every coun-
try had come to Toxic to participate in
the solemnities. Among them were sew
eral princes representing reigning houses
and special embassies commissioned to
convey the condolences OF republican
presidents. The list included Philander
c. Knox, secretary Of state of the United
States, who was accompanied by Rams
ford L. Miller chief Of the far eastern
section of the state department at WASH
ngton, Rear Admiral Alfred Reynolds,
United States navy, and Brig. Gen. John
j. Pershing. United States army The
members OF the regular foreign diplomatic
body were present In their uniforms.
PALACE THE GOAL OF ALL
From an early hour in the morning
the palace was the goal toward which
virtually everybody in Toxic made h,s
way on foot. The casket containing
| the body lay in state in the main hall
1t had been decorated according IN
Shinto rites by a special corps of rit
ualists appointed for the obsequies
The casket was enormous measuring
10 feet by five and weighing one AMI d
half tons.
At eight o'clock IN the morning tbs
official mourners began to arrive
| First came the wearers Of Imperial
decorations. court officials. ministers
of state and their wives and other spe
orally invited personaEes. After these
came the members of the funeral COM
mission in native ceremonial costume
with swords. They were followed b,
the chief and assistant ritualists o.
the imperial funeral corps, also In full
native costumes.
After short wait during which the
functionaries formed a procession. En-
peror Yoshihto arrived. He was in tn,
uniform Of commander-in-chief. will
black crepe arm band and sword knot
He was attended by Count Togo. tn,
grand master of ceremonies. and Coun
Watanabe. minister of the imperial house
hold, who were followed by cour
chamberlains carrying the imperial swort
and seal. After them came Primo,
Katsura, the lord chamberlain will
General Nakamura, the chief aide d
camp.
small procession composed Of tn,
princes Of the imperial blood in order o
precedence came next.
EMPRESS WITH HAIR DOWN.
The Empress then entered in nativ
court dress made of hemp cloth her un
bound hair falling on her shoulders. He
upper garment was OF dark brown an,
her skirt Of dull orange. The court ladie
and maids of honor. as we'll as tn
attired. The Dowager Empress's process
sion was OF similar character.
Others In the hall comprised govern
ment officials Of the first rank. peer
of Japan and Korea, members of tn
House OF Representatives and OF tn
imperial cabinet, the presidents of var
ious government institutions. the mayo
of Toxic and the chairman of the Toki
city council. The members OF the dip
lomatic corps formed group apart Il
a place OF honor.
AS soon as the imperial procession
had entered the hall the hanging scree
In front of the catafalque was remove
by the ritualists and the Shinto ban
played soft dirge on Instruments re
sembling flutes and drums.
The chief ritualist and his assistant
proffered the offerings of sacred food
to the continued accompaniment @
Shinto music, after which other offer
ings Of red and white cloth enclosed /
willow boxes were made. Prayers 70
the dead were rectted by - chic
ritualist
WORSHIP EMPEROR'S SPIRIT.
, The most solemn act of all followed
when the Emperor. the Empress, tn
Dowager Empress and the princes an
: princesses advanced toward the cask.
( and worshipped the spirit Of the departe
Emperor. A short silence ensued. TIL
! professions We're reformed and the men
. bers Of the imperial family retired.
The other members of the assembling
J however. remained to worship the dea
, Emperor's spirit. after which the Shint
ritualists advanced to the altar and re
) moved the offerings to the sound OF So
, cred music. The screen In front OF III
imperial catafalque was lowered by III
chief ritualist, and the first ceremony
the funeral ended.