INDIAN BOMB OUTRAGE

Taranaki Daily News, 27 December 1929, Page 11

INDIAN BOMB OUTRAGE

ATTEMPT ON VICEROY’S TRAIN. LORD IRWIN NOT INJURED. By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright Delhi, Dec. 23. - The Viceroy's train was bombed ten miles outside Delhi this morning on its return' from South India. The dining car was* smashed and one person injured..? Lord and Lady Irwin were not hurt and later continued their journey. The outrage took place in a thick fog, When the'train was speeding at 50 miles an.hour. The bomb was evidently meant for. the .Viceroy’s train, as the pilot engine, immediately in front, passed over the spot safely. -The bomb was placed on the permanent way and was exploded by means of an electric wire from a distance of 24 miles. Two cariagcs on the train were badly damaged. It is recalled that this day 17 years ago a bomb outrage occurred as Lord Hardinge made his state entry into Debli. Lord Irwin was unperturbed by the incident.

■ Further details show tjiat the infernal machine was buried beneath the ballast between the rails. The bomb exploded beneath the vestibule of the fourth coach -from the'engine, the Viceroy’s saloon being sixth. The explosion blew out a steel rail two feet in length and smashed the wooden sleepers into splinters. The Viceroy’s saloon was untouched. The train did not stop, and reached Delhi punctually, JJp to the present there have been no arrests.

Lord Irwin this morning took up h:o residence at “Viceroy House,” the new official title of'this residence which occupies'a commanding site' in New’ Delhi. It- is now fast-reaching completion. • QUESTION ASKED IN COMMONS*. British Wireless. Rugby, 23. Replying in the House of Commons to a question about the outrage at Delhi Captain Wedgwood Benn, Secretary for India, said: “I have his. Majesty’s, permission to read to you a message which the Viceroy of India sent to the King through the Indian Office this morning. The message says: T. regret to. have to inform your Majesty that, an attempt was made’ this morning to wreck my train frv exploding a bomb under it' aS we were approaching Dehli. Luckily no harm was ! done and-few of us realised what had occurred. I hope your Majesty therefore will not be disturbed by exaggerated reports.’” Captain Benn added: “I am sure I shall be expressing the sentiment, of the House in vdicing our profound thanks that Lord and "Lady Irwin and their staff io providently escaped injury in this dastardly outrage.” This is the second bomb outrage in Delhi this' year. Two bombs were thrown last* March from the gallery of the Legislative Assembly and ■ fi'C people were injured. A later message says eight' Indians were arrested, including two delegates to the National Congress, The police are prosecuting vigorous investigations into the outrage. The Viceroy received hundreds of mes-. sages from, all parts of India, congratulating liimjupon his escape. Even tiie extremist^leaders denounce tho oiit--vage. •