The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-12-12
1t Is Formally Placed on the
Head of George V.
Coronation Is Surrounded by a
Scene of Magnificence.
DONATES LARGE SUM
To Promote Popular Education
in the Country.
Queens Robe of Pure Velvet
Trimmed With Ermine.

Delhi, Dec. liking George V and
Queen Mary were today proclaimed
emperor and empress of India. The
eliminating act of the English mon
arch's accession to the throne of his
vast Indian dominions took place amid
a scene for which richness of color
and magnificence of decorations prob
ably never has been surpassed in
modern times The crowning was fol-
lowed by an act of generosity on the
king -emperOr's part of which a slight
hint had already been given The
vfcerOy proclaimed that the king-em-
peror was to donate a large sum of
money to promote popular education
and that further handsome gifts
would be made.
The huge amphitheater which had
been erected in the Durbar camp was
thronged from an early hour The
bright tissues and sparkling gems of
the many Indian princes and the smart
uniforms of the soldiery contrasted
with the white dresses of the Euro
pean women and sober garb of civilian
officials The great feudatory princes
and rules of India with the leading
British officials occupied seats of hon
or near the pavilion located in the
center. Screened from the gaze of
the curious by a lattice framework. a
number of Maharanis and other In
dian women of high rank occupied
two sections of the front galleries.
The interval of waiting was beguiled
by the playing of military music. The
soldiers played a large part in the
Durbar and a guard of honor com
posed of 100 picked men was drawn
up before the central pavilion. Troops
of every arm surrounded the arena in
compast mass and lines of soldiers
extended along the route of the royal
approach.
The Procession.
The vice regal procession came into
view, escorted by a brilliantly uniform
ed native bodyguard the viceroy and
Lady Hardine sat in their state car
riage drawn by blooded horses with out
riders uniformed in scarlet and gold.
Then the booming of an imperial salute
announced the approach of the emperor
and empress. The royal carriage. drawn
by four magnificent horses was almost
hidden from view by the gaily caparis-
Oned escort The emperor wore a robe
of imperial purple, a surcoat purple
with white satin breeches and silk
lars of the Orders of the Garter and
Star of India and also with the star
of the latter order
The imperial crown consisted Of
band OF diamonds studded with large
emeralds and sapphires with rubies in
the center and a cap of purple velvet
turned up with ernine.
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 was embroidered on the front of
her dress Her majesty's imperial robe
was of pure velvet trimmed with ermine
and with a border of gold braid. She
wore the orders of the garter and the
Star of India. Her ornaments were a
diamond and emerald necklace and
brooches
Bands Play the Royal Anthem.
Carriage after carriage with members
of the suite followed the imperial pair.
The guard presented arms and the
bands burst into the royal anthem.
The combined professions moved
slowly to the great central tent where
their majesties stood to receive the
homage and congratulations of the
governors, ruling princes and other
representatives of British India When
this gOrgeOusly uniformed line had
filed past, the imperial and vice regal
parties appeared before the vast as
semblage in the Durbar amphitheater.
When they took their seats on the
crimson dais the strains of the nation
al anthem were heard and the people
rose as one person and stood in pro-
found silence.
It was a pretty group around the
four thrones of the emperor, the en-
press, the vicerOy and the vicereine at
the back of which the imperial and
vice regal staffs and the imperial ca
det corps, composed entirely of
youthful princes and scions of prince
ly families formed in rank. The first
formal act of the cerem Ony was per-
formed by the foreign secretary who
advanced to the dais and asked per-
mission of the emperor to open the
Durbar At his signal a long roll from
the drums and a thrilling call from
the bugles We're sounded, followed by
triumphant peal of music from the
bands Then a note from the heralds
silver tru1nDetg rang over the plain.