ORDERED TO DIE.

Colonist, Volume LI, Issue 12502, 1 April 1909, Page 4

ORDERED TO DIE.

' M. Francis Mury g_ives in the Paris "Revue" details, which he claims are from an unimpeachable authority, of how! the dying Dowager Empress of China resolved that the Emperor Kwang Su must "accompany her to the tomb." It was given out officially that he was suffering from heart disease, but offers of the" assistance of the doctors of the' foreign legations were refused. A high palace official' visited the Emperor and told him of the Empress's decision. : At the same time (says the "Revue") he placed by ihe. Emperor's side ; the_ opium pills, gold leaf, and yellow silk cord '.with which the Chinese of high rank commit suicide: - Then he withdrew, announcing that he would return later. If by that time the Eniperor Kwang Su had not swallowed the opium pills or asphyxiated himself by inhaling the fine gold leaf, the,;(jrrand Eunuchywould have him strangled with the silken cord by two attendants who were to w&tch at his dopr. When the official returned the rOopiuin pills h.ad.disappeafsd -and 'the* Ihhperbr;^was r stretc*ied oaihis coucl^' breathing, with, difficulty, . hii heart feebly? beating', ah d hi s limbs already cold. Presently he expired. The Empress could not die in peace .(says, the "Revue"), and did so, twenty-four hours later, : y