The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-13
GEORGE ' CROWNED EMPEROR 0F INDIA A Scene of Unparalleled
 Splendor VETERANS PRESENT
VETERANS
PRESENT
Emperor Wore Robe of Imperial Pur- pie, While Empress Wore White Satin Embroidered With.
 Design of Roses

Delhi December 12.--For the first time
 in the history of India the loyal popula- ton today witnessed the crowning of
 their new emperor and empress when
 King George V. and Queen Mary were
 proclaimed.
 Aside from the splendor of the durbar E held to celebrate the momentous event, the feature of the day was the announce ment that Delhi was to replace Calcutta as the capital of India.
 A state banquet and reception in the investiture tent concluded the days cele- brations. More than 400o notables were
 guests of their majesties. These included Lord Hardinge, viceroy of India, and Lady
 Hardinge, the governor and ex-governors,
 native rulers, princes, Indian officials and
 others in uniform and picturesque dress.
 The emperor and empress both expressed
 keen delight at the success of the durbar
 and the cordiality of their reception. All
 the chief towns in India tonight are cele-
 brating the occasion with iluminatons, fireworks and fetes.
 The universal theme is the dramatic an-
 nouncement of the change In the capital
 Although the secret was well kept it was made with the full knowledge of the 1n-
 dian chiefs and is welcomed alike on hs-
 torical, political and administrative grounds. The native princes and army are
 greatly pleased at the revival of the an-
 cient glories of Delhi. It is feared, how-
 ever, that it will be resented by the Mo-
 hammedans in eastern Bengal. The cost
 of the transfer, it is estimated will be $25, O0O,000
 The government has acquired the durbar
 territory on easy terms and it is proposed
 to utilize it as the site of a new city,
 which will take two or three years to
 build.
 In a setting of unparalleled splen-
 dor that was richly toned with Ori- ental themes, the climactic act in
 the durbar scene staged today pre- scented the King and Queen in richly at tired gowns. This was the enthroning act The sober civilian garb and white toilettes of European women formed a background for sparkling jewels worn by the Indian princes and the smart, bright hued uniforms of the soldiers. Near a pavilion in the center of the great durbal amphitheatre sat feudal rulers of India | with British officials. Close by these were Indian ladies of rich rank, screened from public gaze by classical lattice worK. | Before the arrival of the monarchs a band of faded veterans, survivors of the mighty armies that made the durbar pos sible, marched into the great stage. In weather-beaten uniforms the aged fighters strove to display shadow of their for
 mer prowess, but before the march to their seats ended most of the veterans were limping.
 Almost immediately the vice regal pro- cession came into view. Escorted by a brilliantly uniformed native body guard, Viceroy and Lady Hardnge sat in their state carriage, drawn by blooded horses,
 without riders, uniformed in scarlet and
 gold. Then the booming of an imperial salute announced the approach of the Empress and Emperor.
 The Emperor wore robe of imperial purple, a sIrcoat of purple with white | brooches and silk stockings The imperial group consisted of persons bejeweled with diamonds and rubies, the women wear ing tiaras. The Queen-Empress dress was of white satin embroidered with a design of roses, thistles and shamrocks with a border of lotus flowers The star of India embroidered the front of her
 dress. Her majesty's imperial robe was
 of purple and ermine with a border of gold braid Her ornaments were dia-
 mond necklace and brooch.
 Carriage after carriage with the suites followed the imperial pair. The guard presented arms and the bands burst into | the royal anthem.
 l The combined processions proceeded slowly to the great central tent, where their majesties stood to receive the hom- age and congratulations of the govern i ors, ruling princes and other representa- I tives of British India
 l When the gorgeously uniformed line had filed past the imperial and vice regal parties appeared before the vast assem- blages in the durbar amphitheatre. When they took their seats on the crim- son dais the strains of the national an them were heard. The throng rose and stood in profound silence.
 The first act of the ceremony was per- formed by the foreign secretary, who advanced to the dais and asked permis- sion of the emperor to open the durbar. At his signal a long roll from the drums and a thrilling call from the bugIes were sounded followed by triumphant echo Of music from the bands. Then note
 from the heralds' silver trumpets rang over the plain.
 panied by his trumpeters he was com
 manded to read the coronation proclama- tion. Instantly the royal standard was
 unfulred and as the national anthem was chanted by massed bands the boom of 101 guns proclaimed the durbars final feature.
 The emperor bowed to the throng that
 burst into cheers for the monarch. It
 seemed that natives outshouted the vis- iting British in their accamations. It was announced the king proposes
 to devote Sl,600,000 for the promotion of
 popular education in India and that further gifts would be forthcoming
 The seat of government is to trans ferred from Calcutta to Delhi.