A DURBAR SENSATION.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 11511, 18 February 1903, Page 9

A DURBAR SENSATION.

DESPERATE ATTEMPT TO STEAL JEWELS WORTH £250,000. DELHI, January 3. A sensational event occurred yesterday, illustrating in a striking manner the danger engendered by the gathering together of such vast quantities of jewels as the durbar has brought to Delhi, a subject which has been in everybody's mind. The incident was an attac kon the jewel room in the Arts Exhibition which was opened by Lord Curzon just before the durbar. The attempted robbery took place in broad daylight. ,A body of, Pathans concentrated by prearrangement in the jewel room, where gems valued at over £250,000 sterling were on exhibition. The desperate project failed owing to the unexpected presence of Dr. Watt, a few police, and some Jewellers' representatives, but a hand-to-hand scuffle ensued. Entrance to the room has now been made much more difficult. The attempt was not altogether unexpected, as it has been known that Pathans, who are professional thieves, have been gathering at Delhi in large numbers for some time. It is suggested that certain notorious European adventurers are behind the Pathans, but it is generally thought that the latter are likely to make very unsatisfactory catspaws. The general feeling in the encampment with reference to the durbar is that the ceremony from beginning to end was completely successful, though it was' of such magnitude that the realisation «f its enor--mous importance is difficult at such short

range. Tlie only serious thing that aroused regret is that fact that the Mutiny veterans have been compelled to pay their own transport, thus spending their scanty savings, which will shortly oe badly needed for supplying the old men with new clothing in the bitterly cold weather. Surprise is also expressed that after the durbar no vehicles were supplied for them, and fhveterons were compelled to walk back to camp.