Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1905-10-06

in that the trans
sTCRETARY TAFT. Pacific record was
broken by four hours me tllne
from Yokohama was ten days ana
eleven hours. an average speeo VI
eighteen knots for the entire "Trip. Ane
steamer Empress of Japan mas uiaue
the run from Yokohama to V1cIorla Ia
ten DAYS and ten hours, but the uis-
lance between these points IS @of
miles less than that covered oy tne
Korea. Shortly after he landed oecre-
tary Taft gave an extended account
of the things they had seen, ana MS
conclusions as given may be sulnmar-
ized as follows:
Great improvements have been MADE
in the Philippines under American RUE
although the political situation IS not
as good as it should be. This is largely
due to the depression IN agriculture
following losses Of cattle, drought, To-
Gusts and cholera, as well as causes
which probably will continue for seYeral
years. Discomfort among the natives
has ensued, vented in uprisings. when
have been suppressed. The disputes over
church lands are to be settled in short
time, and strides have been made IN
public works. AS whole, decided steps
forward have been taken in the last two
years.
Independence Far Away.
'The political situation in some re-
spects was not as good as 1t ought TO
be. Some of the younger men OF eddca-
ton have been advocating immediate IN
dependence It therefore becomes neces-
sary to state with considerable empha-
sis the policy of the administration on
this subject, and to say that in the opln-
ion of the administration there was no
possible hope for independence short OF
a generation, because the people coulo
not be fitted for sells government in that
time; indeed, it will probably take a.
much longer period
The boycott against American goods
in China will fade out, because Chinese
merchants are forced to patronize Amer
lean firms to supply the demand in Man
churia. The merchants are losing money
now, and their influence will be in tie
interest of a settlement of the quarrel
over American immigration laws.
While many of the people of Japan
are disappointed as to the terms OF
peace, the sober majority is glad that
the war is over and grateful to Presi-
dent Roosevelt for his part in bringing
peace. There is no fear that the friend
ship of the japanese for America will
be affected
Secretary Taft's story confirmed the
cabed dispatches from the various
points visited, which had told of the
enthusiastic reception the Americans
had received Of the celebration in To-
kio he said:
'For five days we were the guests of
the government and nothing could have
exceeded the kindness and enthusiastic
manifestations of the people which were
shown us. 1t was chiefly due to the
presence of the daughter of the Presi-
dent, to whom the people wished to show
their gratitude for his efforts for peace"
Of the Japanese peace riots Secretary
Taft said: Upon going to the seat Of
the disturbances we found them to be
greatly exaggerated, and that their pur
pose had been confined to the expression
of hostility toward the ministers and
police. Many of the people in Japan
are disappointed at the terms Of peace,
but the great sober majority of that
people, l am sure, are deeply grateful
that peace has come, and grateful to
President Roosevelt for his assistance in
bringing it about. There is not, in my
judgment, the slightest. fear that the
people of Japan will not continue to be
as friendly to America and Americans
as our reception in July showed that
they were then.
"All the days in Manila were spent
by the Congressman in investigating ag-
ricultural conditions with a view to the
possible effect of a possible change in
tariff on the Philippine production of to-
bacco and sugar. An opportunity was
also given to those Filipinos strongly in
favor of immediate independence to pre-
sent their views. All this was reported
and will be circulated, doubtless, in a
congressional document"
Manila, according to Mr.. Taft, is now
a thoroughly modern city.