The Elbert County tribune., 1907-12-12
TAFT RECEIVED
BY The Gar
HAS A LONG AUDIENCE WITH EN-
PERoR NIcHoLAs At TsAR-
skoE-sELo.
TALK IN PRIVATE STUDY
DISCUSSES AMERICAN MILITARY,
PHILIPPINE AND CANAL
PROBLEMS.

St. Petersburg.-Secretar Taft was
Emperor Nicholas at Tsarskos-Seio
and heard from his majesty the frank
es! expression OF Russias sentiments
OF sympathy In regard to the United
States. The Emperor requested Mr..
Taft to convey his greetings to Presi-
dent Roosevelt
The secretary spent about FIVE hours
with the Emperor and enjoyed the
honor of long intimate conversation
regarding matters in the United Statss
American government
AS the Empress is III, Mr.. Taft did
not see her. but WAS presented to the
other members OF the Imperial family.
On account OF the secretary's ex4
pressed desire that he be received UNI
officially. no salute was fred. but tho
reception which was given a military
setting by a parade and regimental fes-
tlval of the Semenovsky regiment, the
officers of which attended the lunch
con with Mr.. Taft.
The secretary. accompanied by Brig.
Gen. Clarence r. Edwards, Captain Slo-
cum. American military attache, und
Count konitz. the Russian oflicer who
Is acting as his aide during his solourn
in this city. left st. Petersburg ut an
early hour on n special train for rsar-
skoe-Selo where the party was met by
state equipage and Jeveral court Of
ioials. The visitors were driven d.
/ In ba gn.rallpI s'Ifftlo ~ "A q Fha
residence of the Emperor. and escort
ed through the palace with the usual
ceremonials.
Secretary Taft was received by his
majesty In his private study. There the
Emperor discussed with him military
topics at considerable length. He ques.
toned Mr.. TAFT concerning his journey
over the trans Siberian railroad. and
drew n contrast between the present
Means of communication and the meth.
od in vogue tthree-horse sleighs and
steamers across the rivers and the
lakes) when he made his trip ACROSS
Asia to inaugurate the trans-Si5efian
line.
The Emperor showed keen interest,"
In the problems which the American
/ government has to solve in the Phil.
ippine islands, and he asked many
| questions concerning the new Philip.
pine assembly. He referred also in
complimentary manner to the work
done by the American government on
the isthmus of Panama in Its light
against the yellow fever.
At the riding school, where the
! Semenovsky regiment. 1900 strong, &C.
companied by machine gun battery
/ and several other detachments, waa
drawn up for review. the Emperor and
Secretary Taft were received with
cheers. Then the Emperor and hls
| guest, accompanied by their respective
staffs walked together through the
1 lines of the regiment and inspected its
formation. When this exhibition vas
over the troops passed twice at qhck
step before the reviewing party. and
then the host and his guests returned
to the palace for Luncheon.
At night Secretary Taft and thu
members OF his party were entertained
at dinner by Minister Iswolsky Al
this function there were present also
Premier Stolypin. Minister of Finance
Koskoswyki, War Minister Gen. Rudi.
ger, Lieutenant General Balatzyn, cliicr
OF the general staff. and the most
prominent officials of the foreign ofiice-
The occasion was marked by great
cordially and the exchange Of mutual
hopes that the bonds OF friendship be-
tween the two countries would be
strengthened.