Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1902-12-30
Accession of King Edward as Emperor of
India Richly Celebrated.
PAGEANT IS OF MONSTER PROPORTIONS
Largest Elephant in Country Bears Chief
tain and American Wife.
PoPULAcE Halls THEM WITH HUzzAS
Dynasty of Great Britain's Latest
Monarch is Begun with scenes of
Fabulous wealth of COrteEe
and Costume of omciaIs.

DELHI. India. Dec 2s-The viceroy, Lord
Curzon Of Kedleston, made his state entry
into the capital OF the MoguIs today.
This constituted the oficial opening OF
the durber held to celebrate the accession
Of King Edward as emperor OF India.
II was a splendid pageant, probably un-
paralleled In its magnihcence. At the head
OF the elephant procession rode Lord and
Lady Curzon on the state grand tusker,"
twelve feet high, the largest elephant in
India. Their howdah was decked with gold
and silver and the elephant itself was al
most hidden beneath a gold-worked saddle
cloth.
Surrounding them we're footmen in scarlet
and gold liveries and bearing massive silver
Ttaves. The duke of Connaught. who repre-
sented King Edward, and the duchess of
Connaugh followed. Their elephant was
equally gorgeously caparisoned.
Then, in order OF precedence, came the
niEan OF Hyderabad, the mahajarah OF
Travancore and other ruling chiefs. seventy
In all, their huge elephants forming a line
q quarter of a mile in length. This glitter
ing procession started from the railroad
station, preceded by dragoon guards and
artillery. the viceroys escort, and by her
aids and trumpeters. The route was en-
tirely lined by British and native troops
From the saluting battery. posted at the
fort commanding the Lahore gate, guns
thundered out a royal salute the viceroy
passed with the heralds and trumpeters
sounding at intervals spirited fanfares.
sPIendor of the COrtege.
The cortege passed in front Of line Of
$50 elephants, carrying the brilliantly
dressed retainers OF the ruling chiefs. The
colossal beasts all saiuted by trumpeting
and throwing their trunks in the air, pre-
senting a truly imposing sight, and after
ward fell in line behind the Official process
sion. Huge crowds Of onlookers witnessed
the spectacle. which, it is asserted, has
never been surpassed in magnihcence, even
in this country of Oriental splendor.
The heralds and trumpeters who fol-
lowed the escort and Immediately pre-
ceded ths,-vieeregal procession we're con-.
spieuous by the splendor Of their attire.
They were followed by the newly con-
stituted imperial cadet corps, comprising
thirty maha!aras.
The excitement was at fever heat when
~ the first elephants with gold and silver
howdahs. OF the stan ofhcers came into
view and commenced to circle around the
mosque.
The finest elephants in Asia passed in
front Of the great Jumma Musiid. the
tinguished persOnages, including the vice.
roys American and British guests and
the delegates from the colonies and from
other parts OF the empire. The enormous
animals shufiied slowly by, many of the
massive howdahs OF quaint and rich de-
sign being surmounted by magnificent
canopies OF gold embroidered and
beieweled tapestry.
The bodies OF the animals were almost
} hidden by their trappings OF crimson
purple and gold Bands Of gold enclrcled
their tusks. golden bracelets we're on their
ankles gold and silver belts were hanging
from their neck chains and their heads
were painted and decorated in every con-
eeivable color.
The mshouta were clad in the brightest
attire, as were the attendant spearmen
who marched by the elephants side.
Lord Kitchener In Procession.
In the rear OF the procession rode Gen
eral Lord Kitchener. the commander in
chief Of India, surrounded by a brilliant
stan. and by three princes with escorts Of
Indian cavalry. and tribal leaders from be-
yond the border line
Down the main street moved the corteges
% saluting soldiers and excited, surging
salaAming throngs Of natives. Then, after
four-mile march. the elephants of the
viceroy and duke OF Connaught halted side
by side and the pageant was concluded with
the great princes iling by. their elephants
trumpeting a salute.
The viceroy was in state uniform. Lady
CurEon was dressed In gray, the duke OF
Connaught had on a field marshars uniform
and the duchess OF Connaught was attired in
blue. They received q iattering welcome at
all points.
The vieeroy and the duke Of Connaught
subsequently, drove TO the main camps.
The roads, after the passage OF the pro-
eession, presented a scene OF chaos as the
camel carriages, mule carts, landaus. bicy-
cles and bullock carts pressed onward in
strange confusion. There we're many break
downs and hours elapsed before the people
we're able to return to their camps.