The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1907-12-21
TAFT IS BACK FROM
HIS TRIP AROUND
THE WORLD
Arrival With His Party at New
York Yesterday.
WOULD NOT TALK POLITICS
Japanese, He Declares, are a Race Of
Traders, and Seek Glory In Peace
and Not In War.

NEW YORK, Dec. 21.-Wiliam II
Taft, secretary of war, has returned to
America from his trip around the
world The secretary arrived here or
the steamship President Grant two
days late, as the liner was delayed by
rough weather.
Mr.. Taft was accompanied by his
wife and son.
The first thing Secretary Taft was
asked was what he thought of the Pc.
litlcal situation.
Il have not had sufficient opportuni.
ty to acquaint myself with the facts"
he replied You must remember that
| have been away a long time-120
days. | have seen the newspapers but
you would not ask me to talk about
politics now, would you? | shall have
to have a little time TO think the situa-
ton over
''Who is your favorite candidate for
the presidency"
The secretary laughed II leave that
w y Nui ihitttil't, nv Sdiu.
He was informed of Mr.. Bryan's ar
ticle in the Commoner to the effect that
If Mr.. Taft was nominate he would
''straddle the issues and \, be UNI
able TO keep both wings of u rrnub-
lican party together" This seel ii to
amuse Mr.. Taft very much. He thew
his head back and laughed for a full
minute before replying. Then he said:
II am not running newspaper
"My visit to Russia was in no sense
official, and | went to Moscow and
st. Petersburg because of the historl-
cal interest of those two cities. SO
many courtesies were shown me from
the moment | put foot on Russian soil
] could not have refused, even had
desired to do SO. the invitation TO an
audience of the Russian emperor.
was much impressed by the emperor's
personality and his entire familiarity
with current affairs, especially Ameri-
can politics. | was particularly glad
of the opportunity my visit to TSar-
siderable body of Russian troops.
lat Moscow | had the rather novel
experience of dining one evening with
an official who next day was made the
target of bomb. This was General
Guerschelmann, governor general OF
Moscow. His driver and sleigh horses
were killed, but he escaped injury.
We had left Moscow late the night be-
fore. The ride through portions of ST.
IBERIA was most enlightenlng and gave
one very different idea Of that coun-
try from what 1t is generally conceiv-
ed to be-"
In regard to the feeling in Japan Mr..
Taft said:
II found that the feeling of both the
people and those at the head of the
government was all for peace. speak
OF this with great confidence. I think
that the trade existing between the
United States and Japan would act as
a paci6cator. The annual Japanese
exports amount to $160,OOO,OO0, Of
which about one-third goes to the
United States. In return the United
States sends to Japan -four, oil and
such commodities. These are dealt in
by large companies. The exports of
Japan are principally embroideries,
mating and artistic goods. In the
manufacture of these many small
traders are engaged and a great many
people interested. The prevailing senti-
ment everywhere Seemed to be one of
peace"
what was their feeling about the
restriction of emigration?'
"Their interest in 1t was chiefly on
sentimental grounds. Only small
proportion of the people were affected
by 1t. AS for the California difficulties,
I told them that there was nothing In
that matter which could not be salts
factorlly adjusted
Secretary Taft said that the Japanese
were proud people, who ask to be
treated on the same basis ss other ma.
TONS"