Evening star., 1934-03-01

important figures present was the
scholarly premier, Cheng Hsiao-Hsu
once the tutor Of young Pu-Yi, and
who was largely responsible for max
ing his student emperor.
While the highest Japanese ofdcials
rode up to the palace door in de luxe
American limousines. the premier,
dressed in a drab Manchu gown,
walked shrinkingly on foot and, like
a Mahatma Gandhi, remained mod
estly in the background throughout
the ceremony, picture Of dignity and
humility.
The American spectators agreed
that, except for Premier Chong Hsiao-
Hsu. there were only three picturesque
characters in the Spectacle-the frail
and impassive Kang Teh in his quaint
Manchu ceremonials, the pink sac
rificial bull at the altar of heaven,
and most important from the human
standpoint a little woman who Is
rarely seen and about whom nothing
can be ascertained-the wistful En-
press Eliazbeth-the Empress Yueh
Hua.
She remained in seclusion in the
palace during the altar OF heaven
ceremony, but made a dramatic and
unexpected appearance before the
group which gathered in the palace.
Appearance Is Striking.
She appeared, pale and fragile. to
receive a group of Manchus and Mon
golians bearing gifts. Her emergence
from her convent-like seclusion caused
mild sensation.
In some respects the secular cere-
monies were more picturesque than
the religious The mobiles streamed
into the palace in gorgeous garbs
displaying court jewellery and regalia
which had not been seen since the
Peking dynasty of which Pu-Yi was
once the Emperor was overthrown by
the republic.
At the end of the ceremonies the
foreign minister announced for the
benefit of foreign countries:
BY paying reverence to Heavenly
commands We eased the hearts of the
people Let all rejoice in universal
peace. Strife has given way to tran
guilty. Let us sing hymns of con-
cord with all mankind"
AS one of his first official acts, the
Emperor will authorize the govern
ment to make disbursements and OFF,
cial honors to the sons and daughters
and widows of Manchukuoan soldiers
who fell in the creation of the nation.
Country Name Changed.
Clad in gorgeous ceremonial robes
Of silks in ancient pattern. Pu-Yi left
the imperial palace at 8 am. be-
ginning ceremonies which made him
, Emperor Kang Teh Of the japanese
advised Manchurian empire. which
henceforth will be known as TIA
Manchou tt Kuo"
Shortly after 10 o'clock the cere-
monies had been completed and the
booming of 101 guns proclaimed to
the assembled multitudes in the capi
tai the establishment Of a new regime.
As an infant of less than three
years. Pu-Yi was called from his toys
to sit upon the gorgeous dragon
throne Of the Celestial Empire at
Peiping. only to be evicted from II
three years later when China became
republic
Today he became ruler of 10000
900 people under the military pro-
lection Of Japan with a salary and a
civil list of approximately sl,750,0o
year.
Ancient and Modern Meet.
The young Emperor himself chose
the rituals, combining centuries -old
traditions of the Chou dynasty of
China with modern practices in
which American automobiles. Amer
ican movie operators. Japanese air.
planes and broadcasts figured con-
spicuouSly
The religious ceremonies at the
altar of heaven. consisting of three
concentric circular terraces held in
place by facings of brick. were short.
These ceremonies conferred upon the
youthful Manchu nobleman the title
of Gods regent on earth"
Simplicity, picturesqueness, dignity
and brevity featured the proceedings,
contrasting sharply with previous en-
thronement rites in the old Chinese
Empire, which were long, elaborate
and marked with barbaric splendor
The raven-haired and bespectacled
Pu-Yi in ceremonial robes emerged
from an American manufactured
limousine of expensive make and as
cended the altar. situated far out
side the city. There he offered to
God successive sacrifices of jewels,
silks, grain. meat, wine and sacred
fire.
All Noises Are Stopped.
That no mundane noises or human
activity might mar the celestial quiet
and SOlemnity of the ceremonies while
the young ruler was offering prayer
and sacrifice to heaven, all traffic,
factory whistles, railroad communica-
tions and the hum of everyday life
were hushed.
Except for a few high ranking
japanese officials, no foreigners were
allowed to gaze upon Pu-Yi making
his solemn ministrations to heaven.
At the altar of heaven Pu vi mount
ed the terraces and advanced slowly
toward the center. Raising his eyes
to the celestial dome above in profound
reverence and humility he breathed
silent prayer to the Creator.
1t was a memorable scene. Against
the barren, unending Manchurian
plains, over which Tamerlane, Genghis
Khan. Kublai Khan and Pu-Yrs
predecessors had come and conquered,
the frail frame of the Emperor ELECT,
standing on the primitive earthen
tabernacle and silhouetted against the
sky seemed like mere phantom figure
on the desert.
Tablet Specially Chosen.
In front Of Pu-Yi as he faced south
was a red lacquered wooden tablet in
scribed with the name of his most re-
mote ancestor, who was probably q
primitive tribal chieftain.
This tablet was specially selected
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