Novembar 23, 1908.]
This was followed by an Edict announcing, that the Emperor Kwang-Hsu died at 5 p.m. on the 14th inst.
THE INFANt emperor'S FIRST EDICT.
An Edict issued in the name of the infant Emperor deplores the death of his uncle who had occupied the throne for thirty-four years, and announces that in succeeding to the Throne he will conduct the affairs of State with due regard to the proprieties and in accordance with the principles laid down by Her Majesty the Empress Dowager. The Edict proclaims the Emperor's love for his people and gives assurance that he will select the best Ministers in order that the business of the State may be conducted in the most satisfactory manner. Confident that throughout the length and breadth of China the people will be deeply grieved to learn of the Emperor Kwang-Hau, the Edict hopes that all civil and military officers in the Capital and in the different provinces will remain loyal to the Throne. Governors and high officials are exhorted to do all in their power to carry out the projects of reform with a view to the establishment of sound government, and the Edict adds the assurance that such strivings will rejoice His Majesty Kwang-Hsu in
Heaven.
THE MOURNİNG.
The first Edict of the new Emperor refers to the death-bed wish of the late Emperor that the mourning should be limited to 27 days, and the infant sovereign is represented as saying that he feels this period to be inefficient an it is commanded that mourning shenld be oh erved for three years, but ceremonies in the inperial temples are to be carried on as usual.
THE NEW EMPRESS-DOWAGER.
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Another Edict, dated the 15th inst, directs that Tszu Li should be known as the great Dowager Empress," and that the designation Empress:Dowager" should belong to the bereaved Empress.
C
A special Edict directs the responsible officials to submit a recommendation as to how the Emperor's name should be written. It would be leae majest to write the Emperor's name with the full characters. An abbreviated character is employed.
DOWAGER EMPRES8 EXPLAINS HER ACTIONS.
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CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT
INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFICIALS.
373
died. He adds that he will carry out her instruc-issuing the proclamation ordering State Moura- tion with regard to mourning and to looking after ing. On this occasion, the Foreign Consula the affairs of the country and he therefore here having already received cable instructions appointed ministers which include Prince Su. Luk Chuen Lum (grand secretary), and others, officially the death of Their Majesties the late from their respective Ministers announcing to make the necessary. preparations for the Emperor Kwong Hsu and the Empress Dowager funeral.
the Consuls caused their flags to be half. masted. Upon His Excellency the Vicerory being informed of the respect paid by the Foreign Consuls to the deceased Imperial person- ages. His Excellency telegraphed to Peking for instructions as to how he should act in the matter. Yesterday the Viceroy received a cable from the Board of Rites in Peking requesting His Excellency to start the State Mourning on the 19th instant.
An Edict issued by the Empress Dowager herself on the 15th inst is to the effect that she was selected to be Empress hy the Emperor Ham Fung. When her son Tung Chi succeeded to the throne the Taiping rebellion and revolts in other provinces distracted the country but she and Chi An (first wife of the Emperor Ham Fung), acting according to the instruction of her deceased husband, and with the assistance of the Ministers and the generals. succeeded in suppressing the rebellions. After the death of the Emperor Tung Chi. Kwang Hsu succeeded to the throne. At the time the affairs of the country were in a very parlous state. Besides disturbances within the Chinese Empire itself, outside troubles demanded attention.so that she was compelled to help the Emperor to carry on the work and at the same time to prepare for the establishment of constitutional govern. ment. This year she appointed the time when the constitution should be introduced. She was then still strong enough to look after affairs but on the arrival of summer and autumn the work became more onerous and she had no time to rest. She lost her appetite and slept very little and her strength gradually waned. Still she did not dare to have a holiday. On the 14th inst., on the day of the death of the Emperor, she became very depressed. For about fifty years she had swayed the destinies of the empire during which time she had exerted herself to the utmost in the interests of China. At present reform on constitutional lines was con- templated and the empire was gradually impro- ving and advancing The present Emperor was still very young. Prince Chun, the regent, and all the other officers in the capital and in different provinces should give him every assistance to protect the country and the Emperor, should exert himself to improve his knowledge and help to make China a great power.
PREPARATIONS FOR THE FUNERAL
Another edict by the young Emperor states that on accnunt of the deaths of the Emperor and Empress Dowager the Tartar Generals, Viceroys, Governors, generals, etc., should con. tinue in their office and need not apply for permission to come to the capital to pay their respects to him.
A third edict issued in his name asks the officers who look after the gates of the For- bidden City to keep strict order and not to allow people to be found there without reasonable excuse. Every place should be properly guarded and if any officer be found negligent he will be severely punished.
SUPPRESSION OF NEWS AT CANTON.
Writing on Monday our Canton correspon. dent says:--
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H.E. the Viceroy of Canton has received cablegram from His Excellency Chang Chih Tung stating that the Palace is quiet and requesting him to reassure the people of the Kwangtung province and to arrest and panish agitators.
Another edict is issued in the name of the young Emperor. It states that he has been appointed Emperor by Emperor Kwang Hsu and the Empress Dowager. Unexpectedly on the 14th inst. the Emperor Kwang Hou died and on the following day at 2 p.m. the Empress Dowager
It is stated that on Sunday afternoon His Excellency Viceroy Chang sent deputies to the Local Press here requesting them not to publish the news concerning the Emperor's death. This step was probably taken because the Local Anthorities had not received official instructions from the Central Govern. ment to announce the Emperor's death to the public. This morning all the local papers are silent concerning the death of the Emperor; they only mention that His Majesty is seriously ill.
At about 10.30 a.m. to-day another telegram reached Canton announcing the death of the Empress Dowager and the news has since been confirmed by the local officials.
At 10 a.m. this morning the German, Japanese and Dutch cousular flags were half-masted. The English and the French consulates did not half-mast their flags until about 1 p.m.
NATIONAL MOURNING-ITS EFFECT ON TRADE.
The Emperor and the Empress Dowager will not be officially dead until 20 days are past. When the deaths are proclaimed the Viceroy of Canton and the high officials will have to go every morning to the Emperor's Temple in the City for 40 days to perform the prescribed mourning rites.
The Emperor's death entails general mourning for 100 days. This will seriously affect trade as, according to the etiquette observed on sugh occasions, no silk or gaudy-coloured suits can be worn and (alas! for the barbers!) the hair canno the shaved. Theatres and other pleasure honses will be closed; no marriage can take place. no music will be allowed eren at funerals. The loss to owners of pleasure resorts will be
enormous.
The Manchus and Bannermen will have to go into mourning for three years. By the way. several of my Chinese friends tell me that they will go to Hongkong or Macao whenever ther need to have their hair shared or ·to look see sing song during the State mourning. No doubt Hongkong and Macao will have a busy time during the State mourning days, especially as it happens to fall in the Chinese marriage season.
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There will be a large invasion of this class of people from the Kwangtung province to Hongkong and Macao to put through their marriage ceremonies.
NO TROUBLE ANTICIPATED.
The Canton correspondent of the Chung Ngoi Sun Po (Chinese Daily Press) writing on the 18th inst. says that the brother of
a Pek- ing official, resident in Canton, has received a telegram stating that when the death of the Emperor and Empress Dowager was announced great excitement prevailed, and trouble was anticipated. All fears, however, were dispelle with the appointment of the new Emperor, and the capital is new quiet.
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MOURNING REGULATIONS.
The Viceroy has notified the officials and late Emperor and Empress Dowager will take the gentry that the death ceremomies of the place to-morrow in two separate buildings viz: that of the late Emperor in the Kwam
Tai Temple and the late Em- press Dowager in Wong Wah Hall. All the officials from the Viceroy downwards will have to go to each of these two places twice tablets of the deceased Imperial personages for daily (7 a.m. and 2 p.m.) to weep before the
three days from the 19th instant.
Our Canton correspondent writes on the 18th inst-According to ancient custom the Local Authorities would have to wait until the arrival of the written Edict from Peking before
giving the mourning rites for the officials and Two proclamations have been issued to-day
te people, the gist being as follows --
OFFICIAL MOURNING RITES.
During 27 days, commencing from the 26th day of the 10th moon (19th instant) all officials must be in deep mourning; they must wear white long robes and use white official chairs. After the expiration of 27 days they are to wear long cloth robes for 100 days. At the end of the 100 days all officials are required to wear silk robes of a darkish colour without any figured designs for three years. During the 27 days from the 19th instant all officials must use blue ink
pads for stamping their official seals, and all official documents, dispatches, proclamations, &c., must be written in blue ink. All the courts and official reception parlours must be draped in mourning. No official will be permitted to shave his head, and no wedding will be allowed for 100 days. No music will be allowed in the yamens, or in the houses of the officials for one year. All red lanterns are to be immediately re- moved from the yamens and replaced by blue ones. No beating of kongs or music of whatever nature will be permited when officials go out to pay calls. MOURNING RITES OF THE COMMON PEOPLE.
During 27 days commencing from the 15th instant all persons must be in deep mourning. Men must not wear red tassels and buttons on their hats and women must not wear gold hair ornaments or jewellry of any description. During 100 days from the 15th instant no man must shave his head. Marriages are prohibibed for one month commencing from the 15th instant and music is prohibited for 100 days.
BUSINES8.
Several lines of business had an exceptionally brisk time in the City both to-day and yesterday. Over 200 marriages took place here during those two days. It is said that all cakes in the pastry shops and restaurants have been bought up on account of the numerous weddings, and there were not a few funerals with long and grand processions accompanied by music. All silver earrings, ear picks, and in fact silver jewelery of any description available in the market have been bought up during the last two days. The silver smiths in the City are now working day and night to meet the demands.
THE MOURNING AT COURT.
Imperial Princes and High Officials, the Em- In response to a memorial presented by the
peror has issued an Edict stating that following the examples of his predecessors on the Throne he will not wear deep mourning for the whole period of three years, but only for the first 100 days. During the remaining twenty-seven months he will wear light mourning.
THE CONDOLENCES OF FOREIGN NATIONS, `
Another Edict issued on Saturday gratefully acknowledges the messages of condolence re- ceived from foreign nations and refers to this sympathy as strengthening the bonds of friend- ship.