THE KING.

Feilding Star, Volume VI, Issue 1670, 14 December 1911, Page 2

THE KING.

AND THE DELHI DURBAR

FURTHER DETAILS OF A

GREAT EVENT.

GORGEOUS AND BRILLIANT

THE ROYAL RECEPTIONS.

CRITICISM OF CHANGES

BY ELECTRIO TELEGRAPH COPYRIGHT.

_PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.] Delhi, December 13. The Durbar amphitheatre is five times larger than the Coliseum at Rome, forming two semi-circles, the larger being uncovered and surrounded by a" semi-circular mound, which was crowded with 50,000 of tho populace, including thousands of school children, each section of which was distinguished by coloured headgear. The .smaller semi-circle was roofed. The English visitors wore Court dress. Closely-latticed enclosures were erected behind for tho wives of the Indian princes. Just before the commencement, the veterans, including 100 who hail participated in the Mutiny, marched into the arena, the bands playing "See, (the Conquering Heroes Come." Tho troops roared a welcome. At 11 o'clock the' skirling of the pipes announced tho coming of the Black Watch to guard the Shamiana, the 53rd Sikhs occupying a position on the other side. Then came the Viceroy (Lord Hardinge) and Lady Hardinge. The procession circled the amphitheatre. Their Majesties alighted at the Shamiana. The King wore the Coronation robes and surcoat, similar to those worn at the Coronation ceremony in Westminster Abbey. The Queen wore a white dress and purple velvet robe. The King and Queen were attended by a troop of pages of princely blood,'dressed in white and blue. — ----- The Durbar opened with a flourish ot trumpets, then the low mutter of mi ns sw . elled iat o a thunderous roar. Ihe King, in a clear voice, which carried well, expressed his pleasure to be in India, and his heartfelt sa-tis-taction at the people's love "and "the imperial devotion to India's welfare. The ceremony of offering homage followed, Lord Hardinge alone kissed tlie King's hands. General Sir U Moore-Oreagh led the members of tho Viceroy's Council. The Nizam ot Hyderabad and tho Gaekwar of Baroda led the procession, with the 1 rmces of Mysore, Kashmir, Kaipur, and other princes following, most of thorn wearing robes of honour of cloth-01-gold. Many robes had priceless pearls hanging i a festoons and necklets, whilst diamonds and emeralds sparkled in head-dresses and rubies on sword-hilts. The Begum of Bhopal (the only female ruler in India") wore dazzling robes, richly embroidered with gold, and she was heavily veiled. The great reception and homage lastcr 40 minutes, and ended with salaams from the rugged North Frontier and Arabian desert chieftains, lheir Majesties rose amid the strains of the "Coronation March" and walked hand in hand up the broad raised way 150 yards to the lolly dais placed on marble steps, 20 --.g above the ground. Upon reaching tlie golden thrones beneath the golden dome, their Majesties stood a minute to be crowned and robed, facing 20,000 troops and the great crowd. Lord Hardinge, Earl Crewe, and the members of their Majesties' suites were standing on the lower platform of the dais. Twelve British and twelve Indian trumpeters, mounted on white horses, rode into the central avenue, and blew a stirring fanfare on thei<" silver trumpets. At the foot of „ie flagstff whenco the Royal Standard fluttered, General i'eyton, the Delhi herald standing in his stirrups, read the 1 reclamation announcing the in London. The Assistant-Herald repeated it. The silver trumpets again sounded. The massed bands numbering 1600 bandsmen, played the National Anthem, 101 guns were fired a salvoes, the troops outside fared a feu-de-joie, and the Herald called for three cheers for the KingEmperor, the concourse of IOO.UuvJ responding. '•Mieir Majesties returned to the cihamama, and the King, rising unexpectedly, announced the creation or Delhi as the capital city of India, the suddenness and unexpectedness of the disclosure held all spellbound. There was momentary silence. Then the audience,. afire with enthusiasm, gave rousing clieers. The ceremony closed with the National Anthem and the final salutes. The King throughout was calm and dignified, and he displayed iron resolution, befitting an Oriental ceremony. Tho State banquet was held in the evening.

Bombay, December 13. A crowd of 20,000 poor congregated on the sea front, and food and clothes were distributed. There were similar scenes in many other districts, the distribution of food and" clothing being a feature of the celebrationsr Aden, December 13. A special durbar was convened here for the proclamation of the Coronation, the entire European and native communities bcins: present.

London. December 14. Excepting a few Conservative -napcrs, the press generally is favorable to the changes announced by the King .in India. The Radical press is enthusiastic, and says the change even surpasses that of the South African Constitution. (Received Dec. 14, 10 a.m.) Delhi, December 13. There were 1500 people at King's recption. While His Majesty was receiving the officers, Queen Mary held a reception at which there were over one hundred leading princesses of India, who presented her with a magnificent emerald brooch. The Queen thanked them individually, and conversed with her guests for two hours. The princesses wore magnificent dresses and jewels. The people's fete was unequalled in the city's history for its gaiety and minressiveness. To-day three great processions of Hindus. Mahommedans, and Sikhs offered prayers for long life and happiness tor their Majesties; also, 1600 leaders oi" different sects offered a combined prayer on the spot where their Majetsies appeared later. This incident is unprecedented in the history of India. Calcutta, December 13! ihe newspaper, The Englishman, criticises the changes announced, by the .King, and declares that they recall the extravagances of the Grand -Mogul regime. Bengali papers rejoice in tho revocation of the partition of Bengali. (Received Dec. 13, S.S a.m.) Loudon, Decmber 13. Ihe despatch sent to the Viceroy's Conned states that the keynote of" the transfer of .the capital from Calcutta to Delhi is conversion to a series of autonomous provinces with the grant of a-_ larger share of government to the Indians, and the power of the Government of India to interfere in cases of misgovernment. The removal will materially facilitate the growth of local self-government. It is generaly recognised that (the capitat of great central government should be independent, and effect has been given to that principle in tho . United .States. Canada, and Tustralia. It is added that tho development of the Legislative Council has meant' the withdrawal of the Supreme Council Irom the influence of local opinion a matter of increasing urgency. It is not desirable that -tho Government of India should be subject exclusively to the, iniluence of Calcutta. The despatch also dwells ou the place occupied by Delhi in the bygone history of India, and adds that the only serious opposition likely to come to the change will bo from the European commercial community. Calcutta cost £4500,000." ** ° StimatCd at ab ° Ut The Unionists in the House of Commons are disposed to reserve their opinions on tho above subject, but do not approvo of tho use of the Royal prerogative Io s*eulle a matter which is subject lo acute party difference. The concessions to Bengal, involving the overthrow of Lord Curozon's. scheme, has been criticised;

CABLE NEWS.