The Washington herald., 1911-09-19
PREPARING FOR
THE DURBAR x

Though the official programme has been
issued for the durbar, there continues TO
be some doubt as to the advisability of
holding it, as the city OF Delhi Is In the
center of the drought-stricken region of
India. Still, large number Of prominent
Ipersonsages have booked their passage
to Calcutta already, and the government
has taken every possible precaution to
prevent any epidemic caused by the ex-
pected famine in the durbar area. 1
hardly think that King George will aban-
don the ceremony unless actually COM
PEELED to do so.
The new p. and o. liner Medina is be-
ing prepared as a royal yacht. The YES
sci has been engaged by the government
and is being put in commission and pre-
pared to convey the King and Queen and
their immediate encourage to India
Rear Admiral Sir Colin Keppel will DE
in command He is the son of Sir Harry
Keppel, the famous father of the Brit
lsh fleet" and is a naval officer of high
merit. He is. besides. a personal friend
of King George, and was flag lieutenant
to the late Duke of Edinburgh, the
Kings uncle, when the latter was a
midshipman in the Mediterranean squad
ron.
Rear Admiral Keppel has seen active
service in Egyptian waters in 1882 the
Nile campaign in 1885, as well as in the
Khartoun expedition. Sir Colin, besides
being in command Of the Medina, will
be chief of the eScorting squadron, the
first-class armored cruisers Argyll, Coch-
rane, Natal and Defense. The Journey
is to begin November 9.
The royal party is due to arrive at
Delhi December 7. The durbar will take
place on December L. 1t is estimated
that about 100000 people will attend. The
ceremony will be carried out in two
arenas. After receiving the homage OF
the governors. chiefs, and others, their
majesties Will appear in the royal pa
vilion in the center of the arena. where
the proclamation OF the King Emperor
will be read. The hockey tournament
will take place in the afternoon, and a
state banquet, followed by a reception,
will be given in the royal tents in the
evening.
On December l3 a reception will be
held OF the volunteer and native Off
GERS OF the Indian army, followed by
garden party in the fort. and peoples
1alr below the walls in the afternoon
A firewOrk display will be given in the
evening. The King has contributed a
large sum toward feeding the poor
On December Il there will be a grand
review Of troops in the morning, and the
football final will be played in the after
noon. An investitu-e will take place in
the evening
The following day will he occupied bv
military tournament and point-to-point
races
On December 16 their majesties will 20
IN state procession through the CITY.
Later in the day the King Emperor will
leave for Nepal and the Queen Empress |
for Agra
The guests of the government will in
ciude the selected European and Indian |
representatives.. about 80 ruling princes |
with their suites, the governors Of the |
Asiatic colonies of the Crown, and 100 |
Journalists. 1t is estimated that the |
whole camp will contain about a quarter |
CT million Persons. The camp will be |
served by thirty miles Of broad and |
twelve miles Of narrow gauge railway. |
There will be thlrty-one post and ten |
telegraph offices in the visitors camp
FLANEUR.