Fire

Fire destroyed several buildings in the extreme northeast corner of the " Forbidden City" section of Peking, but did no damage to the old Imperial Palace, present residence of the Boy Emperor.

Fire brigades from the American and Italian Legations were refused admittance to the sacred precincts. The Chinese bucket brigades were inefficient, and several millions of dollars worth of property were destroyed before an Italian hose, manned by Chinese, was used to extinguish the blaze.

The building was fired deliberately, according to belief in Peking, to cover extensive thefts of art objects by Imperial servants. It is reported that wealthy Americans and Britons are the beneficiaries of this transaction. Other reports suggest that intrigues and jealousy in the Imperial Household are the causes.

History. The Forbidden City, or the "Purple Forbidden Palace," stands in the center of the old Tartar quarter of Peking, surrounded by moats and battlements.

It has an area of a square mile, filled with a large number of palaces and courtyards connecting. The Imperial throne-rooms are at the center of the city. All the private precincts are forbidden to the outside world.

In 1912 the Emperor abdicated and the city was divided by a wall. The Emperor and his family remained north of the wall. The southern half was taken by the first President, Yuan Shai-Kai, who had it renovated for his coronation as first of a new dynasty, which never came off.

It was then turned into a museum, and 50 cents admission was charged.

Thirty million dollars were offered the Chinese Government for the treasures of the Southern half of the city.

Pu Yi, the young Chinese Emperor (he was allowed to keep his title by republican China), was recently married. It is customary when a Chinese Emperor marries his principal wife for him to choose marriage names. Pu Yi chose Henry for himself and Elizabeth for his wife.