Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Benton County, Or.) 1900-1909, 1903-01-02
EDWARD BECOMES EMPEROR.
Occasion of His Accession to Throne of
India Made Gala Day.

Occasion of His Accession to Throne o
India Made Gala Day.
Delhi, India, Jan. 1.-The Viceroy
his state entry into the capital of the
Mogus yesterday. This constituted
the official opening of the Durbar
held to celebrate the accession OF
King Edward as Emperor of India
1t was a splendid pageant, probably
unparalleled in it's magnificence. AT
the head of the elephant procession
rode Lord and Lady Curzon on the
state Grand Tusker," II 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 were
footmen in scarlet and gold liveries
and bearing massive silver slaves.
The Duke of Connaught, who rep
resented King Edward, and the Ouch
ess of Connaught, followed. Their
elephant was equally gorgeously. ca
prlsoned. Then, in order of prece-
dence, came the Nizam of Hydera-
bad, the Maharajah of Travanscore
and other ruling chiefs, 70 in all,
their huge elephants forming a line
quarter of mile in length.
The glittering procession started
from the railroad station, preceded
hyT n nr1c ~;
VOceroy's escort, and by heralds and
Gflmpeters. The route was entirely
lined by British and native troops.
From the saluting battery, posted at
the fort commanding the Lahore
Gate, guns thundered out royal sa-
lutte as the Viceroy passed with the
heralds and trumpeters sounding at
intervals spirited fanfares.
The cortege passed in front of a
line of $50 elephants carrying the
brilliantly dressed retainers of the
ruling chiefs. The colossal beasts all
saluted by trumpeting and throwing
their trunks in the air, presenting a
truly imposing sight, and afterwards
fell in line behind the official process
sion. Huge crowds of onlookers wit
messed the spectacle, which, it is as
serted, has never been surpassed in
even in this country of
Oriental splendor.
The heralds and trumpeters who
followed the escort and Immediately
preceded the Viceroy, were conspicu-
Gus by the splendor of their attire. |
They were followed by the newly con-
stituted Imperial Cadet Corps, COM
prising 80 Maharajahs. The excite
ment was at fever heat as the first |
elephant, with gold and silver bow |
dahs Of the staff officers, came in |
view, and commenced to circle around |
the mosque. The first elephants in |
Asia passed in front of the great |
Jumma Musjid, the steps of which |
we're thronged with distinguished I
personages, including the Viceroys, |
American and British guests, and the |
delegates from the colonies and from |
other parts of the Empire.
The enormous animals shuff1ed |
slowly by, many of the massive how
lahs of quaint and rich design be-
ng surmounted by magnificent can
)pies of gold embroidered and bejew-
eled tapestry. The bodies of the an
mails were almost hidden by their
Bands of gold encircled their tusks,
gold and silver belts were hanging
rom their neck chains, and their
heads were painted and decorated in
9very conceivable color. The ma
louts were clad in the brightest at
ire, as were the attendant spearmen.
Who marched by the elephants sides.
In the rear of the procession rode
General Lord Kitchener. the Com
of India, surrounded
~ a brilliant staff. and followed by
he heads of provinces, with escorts
If Indian cavalry and tribal leaders
rom beyond the border line. Down
he main street moved the cortege
through lines of saluting soldiers and
xcited, surging salaaming throngs of
natives; through the ancient city
With the balconies and housetops
eeming with life and through the
Ioree Gate into the open park be-
-ond. There. after four-mile march,
he elephants of the Viceroy and the
Duke of Connaught halted side by
ide, and the pageant was concluded
With the great Princes filing by,
heir elephants trumpeting a salute.
The Viceroy was in state uniform,
lady Curzon was dressed in gray.
he Duke of Connaught had on
0ield Marshals uniform, and the
Duchess of Connaught was attired in
,lue. They received a f1attering well
ome at all points. The Viceroy and
he Duke of Connaught subsequently
Irove to the main camp.
No Public Significance.