for Exterior Affairs. Selected to advise him were Alfred Deakin (Attorney General); Sir William Lyne (Home Affairs); George Turner (Treasurer); Charles Kingston (Trade and Customs); Sir James Dickson (Defence); and Sir John Forrest (Postmaster). An imperial edict proclaimed an armistice and designated Chinese representatives authorized to negotiate with the Great Powers. Monday, December 31, 1900 At 3:00 in the afternoon in Beijing, Su-Hai, identified as the man who had killed Clemens von Ketteler, Germany's minister to China, on June 20, became the last prominent person to die in the 19th century. Su-Hai was beheaded at the scene of the crime. Christian churches around the world welcomed in the new century with special services beginning an hour before midnight, and the ringing of bells. Purists celebrated the arrival of the 20th century. In New York City, crowds gathered at City Hall Park in view of the big clock at City Hall. John Philip Sousa's band began playing at , and at 11:59, the city was darkened for a minute, before the 20th century was welcomed in with fireworks. References 1900 1900-12 1900-12