AN EMPEROR'S SAD LIFE.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XLIII, 1 February 1909, Page 3

AN EMPEROR'S SAD LIFE.

KWANG-SU AND HIS TYRANT RULER. Few lives have bsen so profoundly pathetic as that of Kwang-Su, Emperor of China, whose death was recently announced. He spent the 37 years of hie life in constant physical, mental, and sentimental agony. When the Emperor Hien Feng died, in 1861, his five-year-old son, Tung Che, succeeded him, and the Regency was exercised by his widow, the Empress Consort, and the so-called Secondary Empress, Tsu Tsi, the modern Semiramis, the most remarkable woman of our days. Tung Che died in 1875, leaving a widow, the young Empress Ah Lv Ta. .The Dowager Erapres placed upon the throne her nephew, a child of four, who relieved the name of Kwang Su (Glorious Continuity). Needles 6 to say, Tsu Tsi thus ensured for herself a very long lease of power. It was a coup d'etat. Henceforth the late Dowager Empress was the virtual ruler of China. Ah Lv Ta committed suicide — at least this was the official version — and Tsu Tsi was left alone with her daring schemes and her fantastic ambition. . It is difficult, not to say impossible (says the "Daily Mail"), to" give a fair account of the Emperor Kwang Su's life. Few have seen him, and as for the stories which one hears in official and other intriguing circles at Pekin, it is impossible to rely on their accuracy. Yet enough is known of the mysterious Emperor to make one realise that he was not the cowardly puppet that some pretended he was, and that, bad it not been for tho terrible Dowager Empress, whose death has followed so swiftly upon his, Kwang Su might have achieved great things. Those who have visited Pekin realise the absolute and evten awe-inspiring character of that seclusion most forcibly. In the centre of the great Tartar town rise tho lofty walls of the "Hoangtchenp," the imperial city, with its temples, palaces, and other buildings belonging to the court. . This city in its turn encloses another one, called the "Tsekin-tcheng," the sacred "purple" town reserved to the Emperor. True, this domain is magnificent, and tho materials mostly -lied are precious woedf. mother-of-pearl, lacquer, gold, and ivory. There is a romantic lake in the gardens with all the varieties of lotus, and the yellow-tiled roofs of the palaces are of exquisite and picturesque architecture. But a gilt cage is still a cage. The "purple" city, which is only 3000 ft. j by 2400 ft., is separated from the outer world by a crenellated wall of 22ft and a ditch 60ft broad and full of water. In 1889, Kwang Su was married to the daughter of Kwei Siang, a Manchu duke. The choice was not tbe Emperor' 6, but that of Tsu Tsi. It is known that Kwang Su once loved, but the woman disappeared. Likewise his friends were mysteriously , removed. It is known that ever since his majority —that is, sinco 1889— he did his utmost to lead the Reform party and ensure He victory. He started a wise and enthusiastic campaign against corruption, favouritism, and antiquated methods. He wished to employ young officials, to do away with the obsolete educational system to start agricultural schools, to form and train an earmy on *V»stern lines The climax came ten years ago, when Kwang Su, reforming too suddenly went too far without having ensure* the support of the troops, and without waiting until the Reform Party was strong and practical enough.- The wily Dowager Empress, backed _by all the old conservative and anti-foreign oßicials—at their head the shrewd and powerful Li Hun Chang— took drastic measures The Emperor was imprisoned, some at the time even said deposed. As for Kwang Su's friends and supporters, they were either killed or pitilessly rem Two years ago ne tried to put , an end to his bfe. In spite of official; denials, it is quite certain that in November, 1906. Kwang Su attempted to commit suicide by throwing himself into the lake of. the Purple Cjty. He was, however, rescued in time. . Only on two occasions did the Chinese Emperor escape from* his prison. .The first time was when he "ran away from the palace with only one attendant, me second time was during the Boxer -revolt, , when he' was hurriedly taken to safety by the Empress Dowager, and enjoyed an 1800-mile Tide. . And now the Emperor, ''Glomus Continuity," has escaped for ever.