Viceroy Of India Wounded By Bomb.

New York Times 100 years ago today, December 24, 1912:
Attacked on State Entry Into Delhi — Indications of an Extensive Plot.
DURBAR CEREMONIES GO ON
Viceroy's Place Taken by a Member of Council — Lord Hardinge's Wounds Not Dangerous.
By Marconi Transatlantic Wireless Telegraph to The New York Times.
    LONDON, Tuesday, Dec. 24.— A great sensation has been caused here by the news that a bomb was thrown by a native at Lord Hardinge. the Viceroy of India, as he was making his state entry yesterday into Delhi, the new capital of India, and that the Viceroy was wounded, though not dangerously, Lady Hardinge, who accompanied him, was not hurt, though she is suffering from shock. Their escape from death was extraordinary. One of their native attendants on the elephant on which they were riding was killed, and another was badly wounded.
    A telegram from Delhi to The Times indicated that several men were concerned in the outrage. It says:
    "The house from which the bomb was thrown is a large three-storied one, with offices in the lower part and native residential quarters in the other stories. It was densely packed with spectators, men, women, and children, probably 150 in all.
    "It is stated that groups of men were seen at a corner of the roof of the house just before the bomb was thrown, and that they disappeared immediately afterward, but not before crying out in Hindustani words expressing satisfaction that the aim had been sure.
    "There were great crowds in the street behind the line of troops, and a confused rush took place, as some missiles struck a few spectators. This confusion facilitated the escape of the perpetrators of the outrage, as the police could not surround the house at once.
    "It is impossible to say how many occupants got away. A small group was seen entering a winding alley, apparently leading to the neighboring bazaars. They were followed, but the alley proved a cul de sac. A door, however, was found bolted. It was forced and two men with injuries to their faces were arrested, while four others outside who were apparently trying to evade notice were also taken.
    The Viceroy and Lady Hardinge displayed extraordinary coolness and self-possession. The terrible death of their Indian attendant showed that the force of the explosion was very great, but it did not extend to a wide circle, as otherwise the Viceroy's injuries would have been more severe.
    "Lady Hardinge's complete escape seems miraculous, as she was on the side of the howdah next to the house whence the bomb was thrown. It must have passed almost over her before striking the attendant.
    "The bomb was of native construction and filled with nails, screws, &c., of which a large handkerchief full was collected after the procession had passed. This kind of bomb has been used by Indian Anarchists on previous occasions, such as attacks on trains.
    "Sir Louis Dane, Lieutenant Governor of the Punjab, in preliminary remarks at the Durbar, referring to the dastardly attempt made upon the Emperor's representative in the imperial capital of India, said that by the grace of Almighty God the Viceroy's life had been preserved. He was sure the voice of the loyal Punjab of loyal Delhi, of loyal India, of Indians and Europeans, would condemn this atrocious attempt. God grant that it might be the last! It should appeal to all loyalists as amounting to sacrilege on such an occasion.
    "Sir Louis said he hoped that every one present would make it clear to his countrymen that such an attempt checked all progress and put back the hands of the clock, it might be for fifty years.
    "The deepest feeling has been excited here by the outrage. Delhi contains all the leading Indian members of the Viceroy's Legislative Council, who were invited for the occasion, as well as ruling chiefs. Those present at the Durbar showed the strongest approval of Sir Louis Dane's appeal to loyal feeling and also to Sir Guy Fleetwood Wilson's short speech, in which he said that in the wounded Viceroy's pain and intense disappointment the hearts of all Indians would go out to him, as the hearts of Englishmen would."
    The India Office last night issued the following report from the Viceroy's surgeon:
    "A portion of the projectile struck the back of the right shoulder along the inner border of the shoulder blade, passed upward, and came out through the skin along the upper line of the shoulder, causing a wound four inches long and exposing the muscles and bone. There is no injury to the lungs.
    "Another fragment caused a small wound on the right side of the neck, but this is not serious. There are also four small wounds, caused by nails, on the back of the right hip. All these are slight.
    "There has been moderate loss of blood, but the shock has been severe and there is some deafness caused by the explosion. His Excellency soon after his injuries lost consciousness, but recovered quickly.
    "The wounds have been dressed, and his Excellency is now fairly comfortable."