Ex-Emperor's Peremptory Dismissal of Eunuchs Peking, July 16
Sensational events are reported from the Forbidden City in connexion with the affairs of the ex-
Emperor.
The recent fire was widely believed to be due to me up the theft ance oF priceless treasures and esterday it was discovered that many valuable ornaments were missing. The ex-Emperor was so incensed at this intelligence that he ordered the arrest and punishment of Eunuchs Chung and Hua Kung. However, these eunuchs were under the protection of two Impe concubines of the former Emperors, Kuang Hsu and Tung Chih, who refused to permit their dependents to be punished. The ox-Emperor, feeling powerless. in his own household, quitted the Imperial Palace, proceeding to his father's palace near the Drum Ton acconipanied by his two wives, This step caused great agitation it was feared that the ¢x-Emperor might leave Poking, which would. have been away the present state of Po politics.
The. two dowagers despatched delegates to persuade the ex-Emperor to return, but the former monarch declined to do so unless the eunuchs were dismissed Early this morning—the Emperor issued an order dimi: ing eunatchs to the number of 2,000 They left the Forbidden City this morning, presenting a curious sight as they scattered about the city.
After ordering the dismissal, the ex-Emperor returned to the Palace.
Many of the eunuchs have nowhere to go. They intend to appeal to Prince Tsai Feng, the mperor's father. If they are not allowed to return to the Emperor will make allowance for ce they hope that the
their s support.—Reuter, Peking, July 17.
The actual number of eunuchs dismissed by the ex-Emperor yesterday was 1,430. They have been given three days in which to remove their belongings from the Palace and will be furnished with temporary lodgings and free transportation to their Tiomes, and given a small cash allowance.—Reuter. and is very ye to foreign opinion, is so aerined by the bitter criticism h foreigners have directed inst Mr. C. T. Wang and him-"self, for th participation in the mulicions—Tientsin—conspiracy, that he will be doubly cautious about laying himself open to further censure,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.