Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-05-28
Made His Protest in Person.


Count Cassini made his protest personally
to the President but he got very little sat
isfaction. The President declined to treat
the matter seriously, and frankly told him
that the objections of the Russian govern
nent were so absolutely without reason or
foundation that he should not suggest any
changes in Judge Taft's plans He tried to
persuade Count Cassini to consider the ex-
petition from the American point of view
HE told him that it was merely q summer
excursion, without the slightest political
character or significance; that Judge Taft
being required by his official duties to visit
the Philippines, had invited a number of gen
t!einen and ladies in both official and private
life to accompany him; that thew were to sail
upon q steamer of one of the regular mer-
chant lines. which touches the ports of both
Japan and China, and, while the vessel Law
IN those ports the members of the party
would go sightseeing like other tourists
1t was true that they had been rendered a
reception by the Emperor and Empress of
Japan. but that was merely an act of
courtesy IN return for cOurtesies extended
10 Prince tuShlm1 when he was recently in
this country, and had no more Significance
than the entertainment of a Russian prince
by the Emperor of Germany or the Presi-
dent of France when visiting Berlin or
Paris.
But Count Cassini puts an entirely differ
ent construction upon the expedition His
fertile imagination finds deep sienifica MOO
IN the tact that this is not the proper time
10 visit Manila, and he believes that no
one would go there during the rainy season
| and at the hottest time of year without
| some Interior motive. Furthermore there is
| no place III Manila for large a party
| OF strangers 10 stop. The hotels will not
accommodate half of the number The ladies
Will have to be apportioned around among
the houses of the civil and military Off
Gals and the men will have TO be stacked
up at the clubs. There is nothing doing
at Manila during the month of August
Everybody leaves the city who is able to do
so. and nobody ever goes there at that
time OF the year except for imperative rea-
sons
Why then, argues Count Cassinf, should
the daughter Of the President the Score
tary Of war. the large party of senator's
and representatives and the other promi-
fneHt citizens who are about to take this
extraordinary cruise have any other rea-
son than 10 express their sympathy for and
support Of Japan? Count Cassini does not
| expect that third of them viii go farther
than Tokyo. He is convinced that the Phil
lppine journey is a myth or, conceding the
PRESIDENTS explanation to be correct ad-
uniting that there is no intention of offering
| support or sympath to Japan. he insists
that the Japanese government and people
Will interpret the visit of these distinguish
ed Americans expression of public
sentiment on the part of our government
and people, and that Russia and the Euro
pcan powers will construe it in the same
manner
As the President ntimated to the ambas-
sador of Russia would be the case prepara-
tons for the expedition are going forward
according to the original plans The invi-
taton from the Emperor and Empress of
Japan has been accepted, and Secretary
TAFT is informed that other attentions will
be extended TO his party by officials and
private citizens at Tokyo and other Japan
cities; and there is not the slightest
doubt of the accuracy of Count Cassni's
assertion that the government and the peo-
pie of Japan will interpret the visit as a
friendly demonstration the part of the
United States.