DELHI IN GLOOM.

Manawatu Times, Volume XLII, Issue 1736, 11 February 1921, Page 5

DELHI IN GLOOM.

POPULACE BOYCOTTS OPENING OF PARLIAMENT. ONLY PRINCES AND OFFICIALS TAKE PART. KING SENDS MESSAGE. [By Electric Cablet— Copyright,] [Aust. and N.Z. Cable Association.] (Received Thursday, 5.50 p.m.) DELHI, February 9. lA complete hartal exists in the city. All the shops are closed and there are no vehicles and few people in the streets. Ghandi’s proclamation was published in the local extremists .paper ordering abstention from the Duke’s reception. Several thousands of agitators surround the palace or the Nawab of Tonk in the Rajputana State demanding reform. The Dewar, or Prime Minister, has fled from Jaipur. Colonel Benn, the British resident, was prevented from coming to Delhi, which act is attributed to the extremists. The situation is uncertain. The Duke of Connaught performed the ceremony of inaugurating the Council of State and the Legislative Assembly, another most imposing ceremony. There was a (milliard gathering including the ruling princes and chiefs. The Duke’s reception was marked by the greatest warmth. The Viceroy in a speech outlined the inception and progress reforms to the present. He said there were those ■who believed that tbc real object of the British Government had always been to retain all genuine power in its owrt hands, and had only grudgingly and tardily yielding concessions when unable to refuse rh-un. He wns confident that history would reveal that throughout British rule our unceasing purpose had been to extend to India the benefits an I privileged of Britain’s own institutions. In face of formidable difficulties we had been content to advance step by step and build the edifice of constitutional government on (he foundations laid in the preceding generation. Present dc velopmenls represented an hmest effort to gl-/o the fullest and most complete effect to lhe Montagu-Chelrns-ford reform scheme. The Duke of Connaught read the King’s message which contained the phrase: “To-day you have the beginning of a jwavaj in my Emjmo.” This reference the Royal House evoked c > ui.incd applause. The Duke, speaking with deep earnestness and emotion made a personal appeal for the cessation of bitterness .and the hiutual obliteration of past mistakes. He then declared the houses open. The Viceroy in a closing speech, upheld the Duke’s appeal -and asked all to join hands' and work togeiher for the common good. The crowds m the vlcii.ity of the Chambers were almost entirely official. The shops in tl'c main streets were closed as a mark of non-co-op-erators disapproval of the proceedings. THE KING’S APPEAL. (Received Thursday, 7.20 p.m.) DELHI, February 9. The King’s Message was read at the inauguration of the Council of States. His Majesty congratulated the country on the success of its years of labour. “For years,” he said, "may be for generations, patriotic and loyal Indians have dreamed of a Swaraj for their motherland. To-day you have the beginning of a Swaraj within my Empire with the widest scope ■uid ample opportunity for progress lo that liberty which my other Dominions enjoy.” After referring to the responsibilities involved, the King added: “Upon you lies the duty to convince the world of the wisdom of this great constitutional change and to work for the interests and upliftment of millions of your fellow countrymen who have not yet qualified for a share in political life. I shall watch your work with unfailing sympathy and a resolute faith in your determination to do your duty to India and Empire.” THE SHADOW OF AMRITZAR. The Duke of Connaught in the course of a speech elaborating the King’s Message and the Viceroy’s utterances, appealed to be allowed to udd a few words of a personal nature. He said that since he landed he felt around him the bitterness of estrangement between those, who had been, and those who should be, friends. The shadow of the Amritzar troubles of the last year had lengthened over tftf. fair face of India. He knew the deep concern felt by the King and Emperor at the terrible chapter of events in the Punjaub, and continued: “No one could deplore these events more than himself. He had reached the time of life when he most desired to heal wounds and reunite those who had been disunited and in this, which he feared would be his last visit to India, which he loved so well, he desired to appeal to the British and Indians to bury the mistakes and misunderstandings of the past, forgive where they had to forgive, and join hands and work together to realise the hopes that arise from to-day.”