The Washington times., 1903-01-01
EDWARD OF ENGLAND
PROCLAIMED EMPEROR
OF INDIA At DELHI
Principal Ceremonyof Coro.
nation DtHbar.
A SCENE OF MAGNIFIcENcE
King Promises Hindoo Subjects a Hu-
name and Equitable Ad
ministTation.

DELHI, Jan. Edward VII of Eng
land was proclaimed Emperor of India
shortly after noon today amid scenes
Of unprecedented ORIENT! magnfhcence-
The ceremony was attended by $1,000
persons. who we're assembled In vast
amphitheater erected on the spot where
the late Queen Victoria was proclaimed
the first Empress of India by the then
yiceroy, Earl Lytton.
The great military display which start
cd early in the morning eliminated at
noon, when the Duke and Duchess OF
Connaught and Lord and Lady Curzon
arrived and took the central positions
among the brilliant assembIase OF na-
tive princes and eminent personages
from England and many other countries.
An Imposing Scene.
The morning scene OF color as the
princes and the retinues congregated
became more imposing as the hours
passed. The spectators Of the prelimi-
nary ceremonies showed the creates
sympathetic interest in the appearance
in the auditorium OF the surviving vete-
rams Of the Indian mutiny.
Lord Curzon. the yieeroy, sat upon &
throne decorated with golden lions. The
moment he mounted the dais. the massed
bands played the national anthem, and
a salute of thirty-one guns waE fired
Then the Yiceroy's herald read the
proclamation OF King Edward VII. an
nouneins the death OF Queen Victoria.
and his ascent TO the throne, and corona
tion as king on August 9, 1902, and his
desire that celebration of that solem-
nifty should be made known to ali his
lotins subjects wishin his Indian do
minfons. The proclamation went on 10
say that beeazse OF that desire he had
commanded Lgrd Curzon, the vieeroy. TO
hold an imperial durbar at Delhi On
January I. 1903. where this proclamation
Of the King and Emperor should be read
The viceroy's Address.
When the herald had concluded tbs
reading of the Kings proclamation. the
viceroy rose and delivered his address.
He began by referring to the fact that
it was on the very spot where the pres
ent durbaT was held that the late Queen
was proclaimed the first Empress OF
India. Today. he said, the empire was
not less united, nor the sovereign less
dear: for the people OF India had seen
his face and heard his voice. The peo-
pie were represented at this durbar BY
rulers and deputies of nearly one-ffth
of the human race, all bowling before q
single throne.
After enumerating the advantages OF
the Kings government, the yiceroy went
on to say that 10 have won such a do
minion was a great achievement. but to
weld it into a compact whole would be
the greatest OF all
His exceliency the vieeroy then Bro-
ceeded to read the Kings message
which. after conveying his majesty's
greeting, said that ever since his visit
TO India in 1915 he had regarded that
country and its peoples with deep af-
feetion. His majesty added that he
would gladly have come to India him
self had II been possible He had. how
ever, sent his brother the Duke OF
Connaught. 70 represent his family.
The Kings Promises.
The Kings message continued:
My desire since I succeeded to the
throne of my revered mother. the late
Queen Victoria and the first Empress
OF India. has been TO maintain unfm-
paired the same principles Of humans
and equitable administration which
secured for her in so wonderful de-
gree the yeneration and affection of
our Indian subjects
To all our feudstories and subjects
throughout India I renew the assurances
of my regard for their liberties, my re-
spect for their dignities and rights. my
interest in their advancement and my
devotion TO their welfare. which are the
under the blessings Of the AIrdshty
God. will lead to increasing prosperity
Of my Indian Empire and the greater
happiness of its people"
The viceroy, speaking for himself.
then referred to the conspicuous ser
vices that had been rendered by the In
dian troops in the war victories Of the
empire. Lord Curzon said he felt con
hdent that he could express the hope
tIdI the IiiAce anu fItAteSS OF y aieS
would ere long be able TO pay visit
to india.
The viceroy announced that the gov
eTnment would not exact for three years
the interest upon loans which had been
made or guaranteed by the government
OF India to the native states in eonnec-
tion with the last famine He said also
that If the present favorable conditions
continued further measures of financial
relief would be granted
After this all the Indian princes were
presented to Lord Curzon and the Duke
of Connaught. The Indian potentatsz
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