THE DELHI DURBAR

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1312, 15 December 1911, Page 7

THE DELHI DURBAR

INDIAN REJOICINGS. PRAYERS OFFERED UP BY ALL SECTS. AN UNPRECEDENTED INCIDENT. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyiiuht Delhi, December 13. At the King's military reception, at Delhi there were fiiteen hundred prosent. While tho King was receiving tho officers, the Queen held a. reception of over ft hundred leading princesses, who presented her with a magnificent emerald brooch. Her Majesty thanked thorn individually.' She conversed with her guests for two hours. Tho princesses wore magnificent dresses and jewels. The people's feto was unequalled in the city's history. To-day thero wore three great processions of Hindus, Mohammedans, and Sikhs, who offered prayers for long life and happiness for their Majesties. Sixteen hundred leaders of different sects offered up a combined prayer on tho spot where their Majesties appeared later. Tho incident was unprecedented. The Calcutta newspaper "Englishman" strongly criticises tho changes, and declares that they recall the extravagance of Mogul civilisation. The Bengal papers rejoice at tho revocation of the partition of Bengal.

THE NEW CAPITAL. COST OP REMOVAL, JC4,000,f100. UNIONIST OPINION RESERVED. London, December 13. A dispatch to tho Viceroy's Council states that the keynoto of tho transfer of the capital to Delhi is conversion to a series of autonomous provinces, with tho grant of a larger sharo of government to the Indians, and power to tho Government of India tc interfere in cases of misgovernment. Tho removal of the capital will, it is said, materially facilitate tho growth of local self-government. At a generally-recognised capital a great central Government should bo independent,, and effect has been given to that principle ill tho United States, Canada, and' Australia, The development of tho legislative 1 councils had made the withdrawal of the Supremo Council from the infludice of locid opinion a matteT of increasing urgency. It was not desirable that tho Government of India should bo subjoct exclusively to tho' infiuenoo of Calcutta.

The dispatch also dwells on the place of Delhi in Indian legend and history, and adds:—"The only serious opposition is likely to come from the Kuropcan commercial community of calcutta." Tho cost of removal is estimated at about four million pounds. Unionists aro disposed to reserve their opinion,' but do not apprcvo of tho use of the Royal prerogative to settle a mattor which has been tho subject of acute j party difference. Tho concessions to Bengal, involving the overthrow of Lord i Curzon's schcnie, have been much criti- 1 cised. _With the exception of a few Conservative papers, tho press generally is favourable to the Indian changes. The Radical press is enthusiastic. It says the change even surpasses tho South African Constitution. ROYAL GARDEN PARTY. HUGE CROWD PASSES BEFORE THEIR MAJESTIES. (Rec. December 15, 0.15 a.m.) Delhi, December 11. Seven thousand guests attended the Royal garden party at the fort. Their Majesties appeared on a screened balcony, formerly used by tho Mogul Emperors, and afterwards sat on golden thrones clotliod in their Coronation robos. Crowds clambered upon the parapets of tho fort to view tho scene, and it is estimated that a million defiled right find loft before their Majesties, cheering. They bore banners indicating the various districts to which they belonged, Below tho Throne sat Ulemas and Pundits, and a poet recited a Persian ode of welcome. Wild danoos and displays of horsemanship followed. Their Majesties remained forty minutes. Thousands afterwards kissod the thrones! At night there was a fireworks display and brilliant illuminations.