“SON OF HEAVEN”

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18335, 1 March 1934, Page 8

“SON OF HEAVEN”

RULER OF MANCHURIA PU YI ENTHRONED PICTURESQUE CEREMONY WORLD’S YOUNGEST MONARCH (Elec. Tel. Copyright—United Pross Assn.) (Received March .1, 2 p.m.) SHANGHAI, March 1.

Mr Homy Pu Yi, tho last of the 300-yc.ar-old Oiling dynasty, who, as a baby of throe years, was called from the nursery to .occupy China’s renowned dragon throne, and who, a few years latter, was forced to abdicate when China became a republic, was made emperor of the new-established Manchurian Empire at sunrise to-day, when ho assumed the dynastic name of Emperor Kangteh. To signalise the enthronement, a large number of political and criminal prisoners were granted an amnesty, and confiscated property was restored To-day’s ceremonies make Pu Yi, not only the newest ruling sovereign in the world, but also the youngest, the new emperor being only 29 years of age, with a salary of 5,000,000 dollars a year.

Manchukuo hereafter will be known as the “Great Manchu Empire.” Owing to the delicate state of her health, the emperor’s wife, whom Pu Yi married at the age of 13 years, did not participate in the ceremonies. Lasting only 20 minutes, the religious ceremonies which conferred on the youthful Manchu nobleman the title of “God’s regent on earth,” wo?e notable for their simplicity, picturesqueness, dignity and . brevity, contrasting strikingly with the previous enthronement, rites of the old Chinese Empire, which were long, elaborate, and marked by almost barbaric splendor. ANCIENT AND MODERN To-day’s ritual was a curious intcrminging of tdie ancient classical rites of the Chou dynasty, dating back 3000 years, and modern practices in which automobiles, cameramen, aeroplanes, and wireless broadcasts figured eonspiciously. Pu Yi wore gorgeous Manchu' robes of dazzling rod apd blue, embroidered with golden dragons, orchids, and Chinese ideographs. He presented ,a remarkable appearance against the drab background as lie proceeded to perform the rites which culminated in his .ascension to the kingship. At daybreak, a slender, raven-haired, bespectacled chief executive, emerging from an American limousine, ascended the special “Altar to Heaven,” erected on tho frozen firmament in the bleak desert far beyond the city, offering the sun goddess successive sacrifices and becoming the “son of heaven” and ruling sovereign of Manchuria’s 32,000,000. Most of Manchuria was still asleep when the new emperor was preparing to wear the celestial mantle of rulersnip. No mundane noises or human activities were permitted to mar the “celestial” solemnity of the imperial ritual. All traffic, industry, communications, and railroads were hushed while thousands of Manchukuo soldiers guarded the route from the imperial palaco to the sacrificial altar of heaven.

Except for a few .high-ranking Japanese officials, no outsiders -were permitted to gaze on Pu Yi making his solemn ministration to heaven. The civil rites followed later at the chief executive’s residence, a few foreigners being invited.

ON MODERN LINES HOW PU YI WILL RULE CTIANGCIIUN, Jan. 16. When Mr. Pu Yi is proclaimed the first Emperor of Manchukuo at daybreak on March 1, the ritual will be simple, yet reflecting the scholarly period of Chinese history. In accordance with the Chinese classic tradition, Pu Yi will ascend the altar just as the sun is appearing on the horizon, while the “heavenly will” descends to ordain him monarch. Upon a raised earthen altar the new monarch will burn incense, and the assembled courtiers will watch him prostrate himself and ask for divine guidance. After the temple ceremony a return will be made to the palace, where the actual enthronement will take place, and the Great. Seal of State, which is at present being made, will be handed to the Emperor. In the meantime T” Yi spends his days in spiritual and physical preparation for his enthronement.

To-day the Premier of Manchukuo, who has been a dominant figure behind the creation of the monarchy, said : “I am now preparing a proclamation which will be available towards the end of January., “His Majesty and myself are extremely happy at the fortunate outcome of the long-drawn-out efforts to bring about the Manchukuo dynasty. Two schools of thought have been concerned in the preparations. One desired the restoration of the ancient dynasty; the other favored the more modern method. “Mr. Pu Yj and myself believed that the dock could not he turned back. The young Manchurian State requires the most modern methods, hence, while wo are retaining! many forms which have moved beneficial,. wo will employ other ideas which are in keeping with an enlightened world.”