New-York tribune., 1912-02-19
Brother of Virginia Editor Stands
Near King on Gold and
Purple Carpet.
SPECIAL TRAIN AND TENT
Telegram Mentioning President
Gains Unusual Attentions, with
Nothing to Pay When Cele-
bration Is Ended.

An American who saw the Durbar in
India and. standing on a carpet of gold
and purple, listened to the speech OF
King George, arrived here yesterday on
the Cunard liner Camania from Liver
pool He was Jonathan Bryan, of Rich
mond. Va, brother Of the editor Of "The
Richmond Times Democrat" and 10 his
name and to a letter signed by Presi-
dent Taft he ascribes the unexpected
favors extended to him by indian OF
ficials
Mr. Bryan and his wife left San Fran
cisco for Honolulu and the Orient IN
June of last year He took with him a
letter Of credentials from President Tatt'
He thought the document would he
handy thing to have in case of emer-
gency, but declared yesterday that he
had no idea il would eventually be the
means Of his seeing the Durbar In royal
style.
While the Taft letter was an open
sesame for the American traveller. his
friends thought that the magic name OF
Bryan" signed to his telegram to the
secretary Of arrangements for the Dur
bar. in which the name of Taft was
mentioned, helped accelerate the subse-
duent courtesies offered him by the Brit
ish officials.
The Bryans planned to make n trip
around the world and journeyed west
ward by short trips until they reached
Calcutta Everywhere they heard about
the forthcoming visit Of the King, and
1t was not long before they learned that
It was next to an impossibility to get
accommodations at Delhi. Tents and
houses were engaged months i'm advance,
and about twenty days before the arrival
of the Bryans in Calcutta practically
every adequate accommodation had been
taken.
Almost Decides TO Stay Away
M. Bryan was advised TO stay away
from Delhi. He met many persons who
declared that they would not take the
risk of putting up with hardships in
the great crowd that had already as
sembled for the Durbar. He had prac-
tically decided to stay away from Delhi.
when Il occurred to him 20 send tele-
gram 10 the secretary If the Durbar
and ask If he could help him to get ac-
commodatiOns. Ridicuou'ly high prices
were being charged for meagre accom-
modations and railroad reservations
were practically all taken.
Mrs. Pryan thought II futile 10 try to
make the journey. but her husband per
suaded her TO agree to accompany him
If he got a favorable reply from the
secretary.
In his telegram Mr.. Bryan mentioned
that he had letter Of credentials from
President Taft, and waited curiously for
a reply. None came. but two days later
he was informed by an official Of the
railroad that, by order OF the secretary
a special train was awaiting him at the
station and would leave for Delhi at his
convenience.
The Bryans hurried to the train. and
vhen they boarded II were Informed by
an official from Delhi that the secr-
tary had arranged to have them accom-
modated in a special tent.
AT Delhi they were received by Brit
ish and Indian officials and accorded un-
usual privileges during the ceremonies.
Mr.. Bryan was invited 10 appear IN
court dress, hut, not having such raj
ment said he would have to appear on
all occasions in a plain business suit OF
American make and cloth His wishes
were respected, and nowhere I'm the
great assemblage Of gold lace and silk
did he hear any comment on his Ameri-
can clothes.
On Gold and Purple Carpet.
He stood with his wife on a carpet OF
gold and purple within one hundred feet
of King George when the letter, from the
throne. made his speech to the Indian
maharajas.
After the durbar, when Mr.. Bryan was
ready to pay for his train and tent ac-
American gentleman with letter from
the President Of the United States had
no bills to pay. Moreover. he was told
that a special train was at his disposal
to return to Calcutta.
Il saw the Durbar under splendid cir
cumstances." said Mr.. Bryan yesterday,
"and all it cost me was the price Of my
telegram 10 the secretary"
Later Mr.. and Mrs. Bryan left CAL
cutta for trip in the north Of India.
Train robbers were numerous in a sec
ton between Calcutta and Darjeeling,
and three days before the Bryans went
north a woman had been robbed and
murdered in a train compartment.
At midnight, when the train was pass
ing through the suspicious territory, a
bandit flashed a light in the face of Mrs.
BRYAN and tried to get her jewel case.
She screamed and called to her husband,
who grappled with the bandit and threw
him from the train.
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