THE PUPPET EMPEROR.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2074, 28 December 1907, Page 3 (Supplement)

THE PUPPET EMPEROR.

THE CUTTING OFF OF THE TOP-KNOT. (By F. A. M’Kenzie, in the “Daily Mail.) Tlio Emperor of Korea has been crowned amid tho sullen anger of a resentful people. Of popular enthusiasm there is none. A few flags are displayed in the streets by order of tho police. News comes hourly from tho provinces of uprisings and murders. One group of politicians, tho II Chon Hoi—they call themselves reformers, but tho nation has labelled them traitors—attempted to make a feast, but tho people stayed away. “This is tho day not to be feasting, but for tho beginning of a year of mourning,” men mutter ono to tho other. Tho Japanese authorities who controlled the coronation ceremony did all they could to minimise it and provent independent outside publicity. In this they were well advised. No ono who looked upon the new Emperor as ho entered the Hall of. State, liis shaking frame upborne by two officials, or as ho stood later, with open mouth, fallen jaw, indifferent eyes, and face lathing even a flickering gleam of intelligent interest, could doubt that tho fewer who saw tliis the better. Yet tlie ceremony, oven when robbed of much of its ancient pomp and all .its dignity, was unique and picturesque. THE SYMBOL OF MANHOOD

The main feature of the happenings to-dav has been the cutting of the Emperor’s top-knot. It is difficultto make a European realise how great an event this is. For hundreds of years the top-knot has been to tho Korean tho symbol of manhood! Every hoy looks forward to the hour when ho shall ba allowed to wear his hair in a knot, for then he becomes a man. Twelve years ago, tho Japanese, in attempting to modernise Korea, started a campaign for tho compulsory cutting of all top knots. The whole country was enraged, and shortly afterwards the Japanese lost all power in the land. Since 1904 the Japi test have been using their influence in the same direction, but more cautiously and wisd’.y. Officials of all kinds have been made to cut their knots, but lip to now tho inner Court party remained obdurate. On the abdication of tho old Emperor, the Cabinet—who are enthusiastic hair cutters—saw their opportunity. The new Emperor was informed that his hair must be cut. Ho did not like it-. He thought that the operation would he painful, and ho was quite satisfied with _ his hair as it was. Then his Cabinet showed him a brilliant uniform, covered with gold lace. He was henceforth to wear that on ceremonial oc-

casions, and not his old Korean dress. How could ho put on the plumed hat of a- Generalissimo with a top-knot in tlio way? The Cabinet were determined. A few hours later a proclamation was spread through the land informing them that the Emperor's top-knot was coming off and urging them to imitate him. THE IMPERIAL HAIR-CUTTER. A new Court official was appointed, the High Imperial! Hair-cutter. He has been displaying liis uniform in the streets around the palace, and lie is a sight for the gods. He struts along in white breeches, voluminous white frock-coat, white shoes, and black hat, the centre of attention. Early this morning there was a great scene in the palace. The Imperial Hair-cutter was in attendance. A group of old Court officials hung around the Emperor. With blanched faces and shaking voices they implored him not to abandon the old ways. The Emperor paused, fearful. What power would bo filched from him with the shearing of his locks? But there coufd ho no hesitating now. Resolute men wore behind who knew what they were going to see done. A few minutes later the great step was taken. The Residency-General arranged the coronation ceremony in such a manner as to include as many Japanese and to exclude' as many foreigners as possible. There- were nearly 100 Japanese present, including tiie Mayor of the Japanese settlement and the Buddhist priest. There wore only six white men —five Con-suls-General, and Bishop Turner. The Japanese came arrayed in splendid uniforms. It is part of the new Japanese policy to array even the minor officials in sumptuous Court dress, with much gold I'.acc and many orders. This enables Japan to make a. most brilliant show in official ceremonies, a tiling that is not without effect- in Oriental Courts. THE EMPEROR’S FIRST APPEARANCE. Shortly before ten o’clock the guests assembled in the throne-room of the palace, a modern apartment witn a raised dias at one end. There were Koreans to the left and Japanese to the right of the Emperor, with the Cabinet in the front line oil one side and the Residency-General officials on the other. The foreigners faced the raised platform. The new Emperor appeared, borne to the platform by the Lord CliamberI'ain, and the Master of the Housebold. He was dressed in the ancient costume of his people, a flowing blue garment reaching to the ankles, with a robe of softer cream color underneath. On his head was a quaint Korean hat, with'a circle of Korean ornaments hanging from its high, outstanding horsehair brim. On bis chest- was a small decorative breastplate. Tall, clumsily buift, awkward and vacant-looking—such was the Emperor. In ancient days all would have kow-towed before him, and would have beaten their foreheads on the ground. Now no man did more than bow, save one Court herald who knelt. Weird Korean music started in the background, tlie beating of drums and the playing of melancholy wind instruments. The Master of "Ceremonies struck up a-chant which hidden choristers continued. Amid silence, the Prime Minister, in smart uniform advanced and read a paper of wclocnic. 'Hie Emperor stood stall, apparently the least interested in tlie room. He did not even look bored, simply vacant. A omCK CHANGE. After this there a pause in the proceedings. The Emperor retired and the guests went into the anteroom. Soon ail were recalled, and the Emperor reappeared. J here bad been a quick change in the meantime. He was now wearing bis new modern uniform, as Generalissimo of tlie Korean army. Two high decorations —one, if . I mistake not,

from tho Emperor of Japan—hung on his breast. He looked much inoro manly in Iris new attire. In front of him was placed his new head-dress, a peaked cap with a fine plume sticking straight up in front. The music now was no longer ancient Korean, hut modern airs from the very fine European-trained band attached to the - palace. Tho Korean players had gone, with the old dress and tho did life, into limbo. Tho Japanse Acting Resident-Gen-eral and military commander. General Baron Hasegawa, strong and mas-terful-looking stepped in the front with a message ol welcome from his Emperor. He was followed by the doyen of the Consular Corps, M. Viucart, with tho Consular greetings. This Consular message has been very carefully sub-edited, and all expressions dmpCying that the Governments of tho different representatives approved of the proceedings- had been carefully eliminated. Then the coronation was over. Two figures were conspicous by their absence. The ex-Emperor was not present. According to the official explanation, lie had been unable to attend because “his uniform had not been finished in time.” Really, as all men knew, he was sitting resentful and protesting within a few score yards of tho spot where his sou was crowned.

Tho second absent figure was the Russian Counsul-General, M. de Plancoil. According to tho official explanation M. do Plancon was late, and so could not attend. Seeing that M. de Plancon lives not ten minutes’ walk from the palace, and that- the guests had to wait nearly an hour after the time announced before the ceremony began, M. do Plancon must have over-slept very much indeed on that particular morning Odly enough M. do Plancon is usually an early riser.