New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1885-09-01
ex.vJNJSTER TAFT ON RUSSIA.
. rALR ABOUT IT'S OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES ANU
PEOPLE.

r.IR ABOUT IT'S OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES Anu
PEOPLE.
Ex-Judpe Alphonso Taft of Ohio, with bis wiie anu
rb,sr arrived Yesterday by the Servia from Europe
share he has been serving this Governm'n NJ as
to Russia being recently relieved Mr.. iai' reo0",S
had severe attack Of typhoid pneumonia oy WHO" NC
WA confined to the house and TO his bed LOT nearly wv
months but he has recovered his health nv
So .v,;rd,nois He will remain here for two weeks
with his son. Henry W. Taft and then alte' Ni''' W
washington. will return to Cincinnati Speaking yes
terdsy at the Fifth Avenue Hotel to TRIBUNE IT,
porter about his post abroad he said;
ST Petersburg is delightful place for diplomatic
seryioe The Emperor and all his Court are very OWL
polite and cordial with the representatives OF Iore,g5
counires The weather is not so cold az had expecteu
to find it, and actually suffered less inc3nye9ience
from the eod in St Petersburg last winter than nave
In some other places They take great pans 10
you from the cold in the construction o. houses anu Ill
Other ways and they succeed admirably.
What did you see of Nibilism "
Nothing at all There 10 very little upon tho sur
face in Russia regards Nitiism. Ny impression Is
that the &c yernment has been perseyerng ana the
pooe so skiful detecting the projects OF that kind
that they have pretty much extermnated Nimlsm. ~
NAV turn out differently, because Nlnilists are M
IN civ TO publish their purposes The Government mas
been very dgent in ferreting out all their projects
az How about the Afghan question:
safely say that it Is tedious one nase no
That was the feeling when left There NAV DC war
sometlme between England and Russia, growing out OF
this question but don't think either one wants war
now or that they are going to have it. The negotla-
tons between Russia and England are not so iai pun
i;shed IA {, warrant an opinion in which l could have
much confidence to the boundary. The negotiations
have been earnest and critical 49,
els Russia advancing in civilization
should say on the whole that Russia is improN ing
and progressing cannot say as to i6teisenco among
conferred the army-on military power rather tnah
popular &c ucation They have institutions tor the
education of she children of the better classes but
nothing like one advantages for the military. Tho
army is tremendous L have heard since landed that
there Is prospect that tbs Gar will % the country
q constitution II would not surprise ,-e at ALL though
it wac not discussed in the papers and was indeed
SAID that the present Emperor had declared ne would
not grant constitution. II is one OF the surprising
things In Russia that while her Government is the most
absolute despotsm the globe it permits Finland to
have Legislature ana local self government"
What of the Russian wheat feldsf"
"The Russians actually rival us In grain on the
fertile plains of Central and Southern Russia III we
had not go many railroads TO collect and bring TO
Market our grain. think they would beat US. we
a much we, though they have not yet been able to
refine 1t well. 1t commands only half the price,
and they keep out They rigidly enforce. the
tariff too. There are eyasOns. They burn
petroleum and candles in the housts, and gas in the
Arc other protective tariff duties In force r.
Yea they protect ell their manufactures by heavy
duties. The manufacturing industry Of the country Is
There is very little American capital in Russia now
The policy OF Russia is discouragng also to the Eng
lish, who formerly had large colony OF wealthy
traders at ST. Petersburg"
" Had Mr.. Lsthrop arrived before your departureY
y q" Yes he had taken house and duly settled.
We presented papers and had audience with the
Emperor the sane day. Lieutenant schnetze. the
agent of our Government to distribute gifts to the
natives who aided In rcscung the survivors OF the
Jesnnete also there. He expects to be all winter
ct his work"
{" What was your most important diplomatic work ~
"Ibe nearest approach TO large international ques-
fion with reference TO the Hebrews Russia Is in
flexible on this question They will not let them trade
there. The Hebrews had been coming TO America and
taking papers Of citizenship Then they went back
and began to trade in the little towns. When they
were called upon TO do military duty they showed
their papers fhe Russian Government tn nks this Is
an abuse Of our papers, and refuses to let the ex-
citizens trade The Government permits to trade are
necessary and cannot be obtained by the Hebrews.'
Mr. Taft says that his health VIII prevent him from
taking any active part In the Ohio canvass, but he will
probably DO heard from before Its close.