In Pekin on Tuesday the Emperor and the Dowager- Empress
received the foreign Ministers in the Forbidden City, and received them with ceremonies which strongly marked the change of attitude towards foreigners since the war. Not only did the Envoys enter the Forbidden City itself, but their reception was far more courteously conducted than on any Previous occasion. Some of the reports declare that the place Of honour was given to the Dowager-Empress, others that she Was only placed above the Emperor because older than him, and so of greater honour in the Imperial family. All reports seem to agree, however, that the reception was really held by the Empress, and the Times correspondent in his telegram in Thursday's issue states : " The Chinese declare that the Dowager-Empress experienced immense relief by her triumph yesterday, when the entire Diplomatic Body officially recog- nised her as undisputed ruler of China." He adds that Tung-ln will now call officially on the foreign Ministers, "who have resolved to treat the Government as having expiated its crimes, and will accord him the honour due to his rank and position." Clearly the Empress's hold on China is now complete, and when the Chinese Government is spoken of it must be taken to mean the Empressi—L'etaf test elle.
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