Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-12-22
BY VERNON MCKENZIE.
EFT WAS the first time an Emperor had
ever Lit my cigarette
When was shown into the reception
room of his unpretentious house in

When was shown into the reception
room of his unpretentious house in
Tientsin, wondered just how to estab-
lish a mental contact with this boy, the last OF
the Manchu dynasty, who, when just about the
age of curly-haired King Michael of Rumania,
appeared destined to rule over a nation Of
400 coo coo people. But not for long was / Ill
at ease either physically or mentally. He mo-
toned me to seat beside him, on comfortable
leather divan, and handed me box of Egyptian
cigarettes Striking a match. he offered me the
first light Then after this slight bit of human
contact we settled back in our seats for our
interview.
Today he is AGr. Pu vi. living a sequestered
life in the japanese concession of Tientsin, in
a house which would rent for about 500 a
month. Five years ago he was the Emperor,
the titsllar ruler Of China, dwelling in the For
hidden City Of Picking, though then stripped
of all actual governmental power and authority.
Less than 20 years ago he was the far-famed
boy Emperor. with thousands of servants to do
his bidding and the legal ruler of hundreds Of
millions of more or less faithful subjects
Strictly speaking, it is incorrect to refer to
him now as the Emperor But during our chat
his secretary interpreter referred to him as
''his majesty" and many millions Of Chinese
still speak of him as "our Manchu Emperor"
So perhaps may be forgiven for my perhaps
undemocratic Introductory reference. From now
on he win be plain MIR. Pu vi
When the Republican insurgents ended the
reign of the Manehus In 1912 he was years
of age. So today he is "a His life, even in tur-
bulent, topsy-turvy China, has been in the main
a peaceful one. But always, except for few
dangerous and hectic days. five years ago, he
has been virtually prisoner. During the first
six years of his life China was ruled by the
iron hand of the vigorous old Dowager Empress
Tzu Hsi Until he reached his nineteenth BIRTH
day he was restricted to journeys between the
Summer palace and the Forbidden City. When
the Southern army captured Peking in 1924 he
fed for his life to distant part of the city, but
in few weeks found asylum in Tientsin
There he lives today, under the jurisdiction Of
the japanese authorities, bound by an agree
ment which forbids him to leave the concession.
few miles west from Picking to the famed
Summer palace; 100 miles east to Tientsin-
that has been the orbit of his travels, though he
longs to 60 around the world not once but sew
eral times. and see some of the personalities and
places about which he Is exceptionally well
informed.
>. HIS eyes sparlled when asked him about his
= future plans. His face flashed feeling of long
pent-up desire. -..-. .-.si.
st wish-I hepe--first to go to Japan and
pay my respects to the Emperor, then think
will start around the world. From Japan I
viii naturally GO to the United States. and then
to Europe. For nearly 20 years have been
reading about all the interesting people and Gus
toms Of the world, Of the famous scenic spots.
I cannot GO just yet; but hope to, if not next
year, then the year after, or the year after
that. wonder how far away this time win be. Is
TT DID not seem tactful to inquire why he did
not start now or set definite date very
soon. But from the japanese authorities and
from his friends two excellent reasons were
learned. His visits to foreign capitals might
cause political complications. And he hasn't
the money! He can't even afford to buy round
the-world ticket-he whose grandmother, the
Dowager Empress. is said to have spent any
where from $l0,OO0.OO0 to 100000, 900 preparing
her mausoleum
Whom does he wish to see? Well, first of al
he would like to visit the Prince of Wales HI
envies him many things, including his free.
dom to travel. Then he would like to know
President Hoover, Lloyd George and Lindbergh
asked him if he would not look forward Il
seeing Queen Marie of Rumania, but for som'
reason he did not seem to enthuse over thu
suggestion.
when Prince George, the Prince of Wales
younger brother, was in China recently" volun
teered Pu vi, che called on me at my forme
house in Tientsin and we had very pleasan
chat. These rare OH, so rare, visits give MI
breath from the outer world. have Away
felt so much prisoner I read many American