The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-01-02
Vfceroy Curxon Reads a Message to
the People i'm the Amphftheater
on the Plain of Delhi.
GREATEST DAY OF THE DuRBAR
GORGEOUS SPECTACLE WITNESSED
BY MANY THOUSANDS.
Princes ROBBED i'm Silks and Wearing
Costly Jewels, and Indian Chiefs
and British Soldiers in Gay Attire.


was formally proclaimed Emperor Of India
to-day. This ceremony marked the popular
opening of the durbar. the official opening
having taken place on Monday, amid a
flourish of trumpets. when the vice-regal
procession passed through the streets and
nearly $50 elephants were in line.
To-day's ceremony took place in an
amphitheater on the plain outside the city,
where tens of thousands of natives and Eu-
ropeans had gathered. The amphitheater
was adorned with gilded cupolas and sur
rounded by batteries. squadrons and bat
talions of the Indian army. Beyond the
amphitheater, in the distance, could be
seen great numbers of elephants, camels
and horses. So vast was the multitude that
the troops appeared as mere splashes of
color. The arrival at the amphitheater Of
the Viceroy of India, Lord Curzon of
Kedleston, and other dignitaries, and the
princes was one of the brilliant scenes of
the day. The princes were clad in silks
and adorned with jewels and their horses
and carriages were brilliant with trappings
of gold.
The spectacle within the arena was most
striking and gorgeous. The Pathan chiefs
and the sirdars were resplendant in bril-
liant raiment. Soldiers. civilians and WIS.,
itors from far distant countries were in
cluded among those within the amphi-
theater. Upon the entrance of the veterans
of the Indian mutiny there was tremendous
enthusiasm and as the arrivals marched
to their places the bands played national
airs. The carriage of the Duke of Con-
naught, who represents King Edward, was
escorted by a detachment of cavalry. AS
the duke and the duchess were driven
around the arena the assemblage gave
them an enthusiastic welcome. Amid
the acclamations of the people the duke
took his seat at the left Of the throne
while the duchess proceeded to a place be-
| hind the throne.
THE CEREMONY.
| When the great amphitheater was filled
and the hour for the announcement drew
near the multitude within and without
awaited expectantly the first act of the
proclamation ceremony. Then the approach
of the viceroy was heralded. Preceded by
members of his bodyguard, clad in white,
blue and gold and under the command of
Major Grimston, Lord Curzon appeared at
the entrance Of the arena in his carriage.
| The postillions wore uniforms of scarlet
and gold and the carriage was drawn by
/ four bay horses. The vicer0y was escorted
by Sir Pertab FINCH. Alighting. from his
carriage Lord Curzon mounted the dais to
| the throne, which was decorated with
golden lions and around which were placed
massive silver foot stools. The throne
| itself was surmounted by canopy of white
| and gold. When the viceroy reached the
throne the national anthem was played
| and salute of twenty-one guns was fired.
When the spectators had resumed their
seats after the anthem there was flourish
of rrrr, 1rafS he la
| Maxwell, at the command of the viceroy,
read the proclamation opening the durbar.
The royal standard was then raised on
| The massed bands marched by playing,
bonfires were started by the troops outside
and it was announced that King Edward
| was Emperor or India.
There was another flourish of trumpets
and Lord Curzon rose and stood for a
moment impressive. Then in impressive
tones he delivered a speech and read the
message from King Edward In his ad.
dress the viceroy announced the corona.
ton of the King; he extolled the loyal In.
dian people and prophesied prosperity foi
had been decided not to exact interest fol
three years on all loans made or guaran
teed by the government of India to the
native states in connection with the re-
cent famine. The viceroy announced alsl
the abolition of the Indian staff corps
which has long been an army sinecure.
THE KINGS MESSAGE.
In the Kings message. which was ther
read by Lord Curzon, his Majesty said tina
the Prince and Princess of Wales woult
shortly visit India. He regretted his alb
sence from the durbar and sent his greet
ings to his Indian people. In conclusion
King Edward said:
ct renew the assurances Of my regar,
for the liberties of the Indian people o
my respect for their dignities and rights
| of my interest in their advancement an,
of my devotion to their welfare. Thos
are the supreme purposes and objects of m,
| rule which, under the blessing of Almight,
God, will lead to the increasing prosperit,
of my Indian empire and TO the create
happiness of it's peoples"
words the assembled people broke int
cheers for the King and Emperor: The cheer
ing was taken up by the multitude outsid
There then followed the presentation of In
dian princes to the viceroy and the Duk
of Connaught and political officers pal
homage to the sovereign. The whole cere
Lady Curzon was dressed In pale blu
chiffon trimmed with passementeries. Sh
Swer Uniform hat Lord With cocke was
The Duke of Connaught had on a fiel
marshal's uniform, and the Duchess G
J over white silk, with silver trimming.
and a cream toque. When the Curzon
reached the dais the viceroy and the Duk
of COnnaught Saluted each other, an
Lady Curzon courtesied to the Duchess c
Connaught.
Il Lord Curzon spoke for thirty minute.
standing for most of the time with one foe
on a silver footstool. During the receptio
OF the princes and chiefs Lady Curzo
and the Duchess OF Connaught stood bs
hind their husbands, not participating /
that part of the ceremony, except in til
case of the begun of Byopal. NOLAN
medan princess. who was heavily yelled.
After the presentation Of the notabilitis
: the viceroy and the Duke of Connaugi
stepped forward and shook hands wit
4 Lady Curzon. This ended the ceremony an
r the royal cortege then left the arena, 70
lowed by the delegates from foreign pov
ers and the Indian princes.
Lord Kitchener, after the ceremonies Ell
tered his carriage and was driven to-Delh
: Curzon Anglers Furniture Dealers.
LONDON, Jan. Lord Curzon hs
n brought down upon himself the wrath
I the furniture dealers OF Great Britain /
a disparaging allusion in his speech at II
opening of the art exhibition at Delh
Dec 80 to '"rottenham Court furnitur
Il its cheap Italian mosaics and flaming Bru
- sells carpets" and appealing to the mahar,