MEN OF MARK IN THE WORLD TO-DAY

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 280, 26 November 1938, Page 5 (Supplement)

MEN OF MARK IN THE WORLD TO-DAY

DORV in 1906, Pu Yi wu the eon of Prince Chun, younger brother of the Emperor Kwang Bsu. In 1908, on the death of Kwang Hsu, who was believed to have been poisoned, the infant Pu Yi was placed on the t'irone of the Chinese Empire. In 1911 there was a revolution in China and the baby emperor wm dethroned. He was allowed to remain in hie capital and for six uneventful yeare he lived almost forgotten, his chief amusement being to ride his bicycle about the secluded courtyards of the Winter Palace in Peking. During this time he had an English tutor, Sir Reginald Johnston, and this fact was to have'a profound influence in his life.

In 1917 an attempt was made to restore the monarchy and Pu Yi, then 11 years old, was again placed on the throne. The attempt failed. The republic was restored and Pu Yi retired into seclusion for a second time.

Seven years later revolution again broke out. The rebels seized Peking overnight, imprisoned the members of the Government and ordered Pu Yi to leave Peking. The lad took refuge in his father's palace, but he wag not safe there. Some of the rebels wanted to end his life by the executioner's sword.

Sir Reginald Johnston came to the rescue and contrived Pu Yi's escape into the foreign quarter of the city. They went first to the British Legation, ,but the authorities refused to shelter him, and the fugitive went .on to the Japanese Legation, where he was given a warm welcome. The exEmperor wa« anxious to go further afield and plans were considered for smuggling him down to Tientsin, 80 miles distant by rail, where he owned a house in the British quarter.

This va« no easy matter as the rebel troops had a guard placed right round the foreign quarter of Peking and the railway stations were closely watched. Pu Yi, showing unexpected bravery and resource, solved the problem himself.

Disguised as Chinese coolies, the ex-Emperor and another Manchu youth bought themselves third-clafin tickets and, entering separate compartments, travelled down by train to Tientsin. Policemen who went through the train carefully inspecting the passengers failed to realise the identity of a spectacled young man of slender build who was jammed in a seat between two rebel soldier*. When the soldiers, over a friendly cup of tea, asked him who he waa he replied that his name was Wang and that he was a university student.

At Tientsin, Pu Yi again found the British unwilling to shelter him, so he took refuge with the Japanese.

He was given special police protection and, surrounded by a small group of loyal friends, he lived quietly for the next seven years as plain "Mr. Henry Pu Yi," . . . but dramatic events were in train and he was destined to play a prominent part in them.

In September, 1931, Japanese troops occupied Mukden, largest city in what is now the State of Manchu-. kuo. The three north-eastern provinces of China were formed into an independent State. The Japanese decided that the nominal head of the new State should be Pu Yi, who was to be Chief Executive, a special office

created for him. Rioting broke out in the Japanese concession at Tientsin, and while the police were busy dealing with these mysterious disturbances the ex-Emperor was smuggled on to a Japanese boat and taken to Port Arthur.

Pu Yi has been greatly blamed for accepting office in Manchukuo. There is, however, much to be said for hi« point of view. Admittedly he agreed to serve hia country's enemies, but, on the other hand, he had no great reason for friendship towards the Chinese. For years they had hunted him, forcing him to accept the shelter offered by stranger*.

No. XIX. HENRY PU YI, Puppet Emperor Of Manchukuo

Although little more them thirl}) years'old. Hem}) Pu Yi, first Emperor of the recently• created State of Manchukuo, has three times occupied an imperial throne. Perhaps he it strictly not a man of mark• as > although he is nominal ruler of a country with a population of 35,000.000, he ii so completely under the control of the Japanese as to be little more than an unimportant figurehead. He has had, however, a most unusual history, with more than a little adventure, and for that reason merits inclusion in this series.

Pu Yi's own people had seized all his posseissions and confiscated the income derived from the estutes of the royal family. Worse itill, especially in the eyes of a Chinese, they had rifled the tombs of his ancestors and deult shamefully with lbs imperial remains. They had stolen priceless heirlooms from the tombs and hawked them round Peking. It is little wonder that Pu Yi sought vengeance and saw in the Manchukuo venture au opportunity for it.

Only a year after hi* arrival in Manchukuo, Pu Yi ww crowned Emperor and once again he wu on » throne, this time with more security but very much under the thumb of hie powerful frienda from acroM the Yellow Sea.

From the very start of hit reign a* Emperor, Pu Yi ha« had to do what he wu told. A Japanese soldier was appointed m hie aide-de-camp and the former ' Japanese Consul-General at Tientsin wu chosen a* his chief political advieer. The Japanese Ambassador ha« always been a regular caller and discusses affaire of state with the Emperor.

Pu Yi himself is a moat attractive young man. He Uvea quietly with liis invalid wife, and although hie new palace cost about £300,000, there is little pomp about the imperial household. Pu Yi is not a brilliant man, but is said to be quick-witted and always anxious to act with good intentions.

There are still obvious traces of the influence of the English tutor. This man did much to enlarge a mind that might well have been cramped by the influence of palace life in Peking. Pu Yi ia a great admirer of the British Royal Family and la proud of the friendship which ha« always existed between his owa family and British Royalty. Although his dark spectacles giva the Emperor a bookish appearsnoe, lie is interested in sport and is especially fond of horseback riding. His greatest diversion is reading. Newspapers printed in English as well as in the Chinese and Japanese languages claim his attention for ths best part of an hour every morninp. By this means he keeps in touch with the outside world of which hs has seen so little.

Pu Yi'a chief interest k the ancient art of China, both literature and painting. He draw* well and ia aaid to write quite good venae. The world heara little 01 him to-day, but ao doubtful ia the future in China that Henry Pu Yi may eaaily become a personage of vaat importance. Only time will tell.