The Washington herald., 1907-04-23
TAFT BACK, EYADES
TALKING POLITICS
CONTINUED FROM FIRST PAGE.

Four Days in Havana.
I'VE left Colon on Wednesday, April 3,
and reached Havana on Sunday. April Z.
I spent Sunday. Monday, Tuesday, and
Wednesday in Havana. comforting with
Gov. Magoon, Col Crowder, Consul Gen
eral Steinhart, and others. and also with
the representatives of various political or
CARNATIONS and business associations and
prominent people o. Havana.
Il found matters in what under the
circumstances. must be considered very
satisfactory condition, and this Is largely
due TO the hard work and political ca
pacity and observation-disclosures of Gov. Ma
COON. The result was that the plan as 10
the election was in effect one upon which
substantially all the parties in interest
agreed. There are certain questions that
were submitted By Coy. Magoon and dis
cussed which await decision by the Presi-
dent or the department.
Gen. Barry and Gov. MagoOn both re-
ported that the order in the island was ex
cellent and while there is still "A good
deal of suppressed political feeling and
excitement. I think there is every ground
for hope that the plan adopted Of taking
a census and holding a preliminary cleo
months later will result in the selection
OF President and Congress who will be
able to maintain themselves and give
stable rule 70 the island
DeIny Is Understood.
"The delay In taking a census and hold
ing preliminary election is taken by the
people of the island not as an indication
that the American government wishes to
remain permanently, but, on the con-
trary, as an earnest of its desire 10 secure
stable government before it leaves. so
that there shall be no excuse for a second
intervention, with all the consequences
that might be likely TO flow from such an
intervention. Cuba viii have the largest
sugar crop in her history, and the to-
bacco crop is one OF the best she has
ever had. There has been a long drought,
and that, taken with the disturbance of
the Instruction, has interfered somewhat
with the sugar planting. but all are quite
hopeful that this defect viii soon be re-
paired.
I'VE left Havana midnight Of Wednes-
day. April 10, and reached Porto Rico on
Sunday. April H. We spent four days on
the island, and had there TO consider, at
the instance of Bishop Jones, OF Porto
Rico, some questions which are still
pending, Of property between the govern
ment and the church and also some mill
tary questions, as 10 the abandonment uf
certain posts in the interior. and Il e
abandonment to the civil government Of
some property in San Juan now used as
hospital for the army.
we crossed the Island of Ponce by
one road and returned by another We
attended the Inauguration Of Gov Post
and then brought away with US Gov. and
Mrs. Winthrop. and Mrs. Taft and Miss
Ide, who were visiting them at the time
Find Prosperity Everywhere.
ION every side we found evidences Of
the most encouraging prosperity, and also
of the strongest indications Of the love
and respect which the people feel for the
governor and Mrs Winthrop and of the
great sorrow they have IN losing them.
Expressions of regret AT their departure
could not have been more demonstratlve
and sincere. and reflected the highest
credit upon Gov. Winthrop's conduct OF
affairs ia the islands.
The two political questions that ars
made the subject of frequent discussion.
for lack Of something else in the present
happy condition of the people. are the
question Of citizenship, and the question
whether the executive council shall be
elective.
we had a very smooth passage from
Porto Rico to the Chesapeake Bay. and.
indeed. very little rough weather at any
time during the trip.
Our party has consisted of Senator
Kittredge. who is doubtless 10 be chair
man of the Senate Canal Committee; Mr..
Burton. chairman Of the Rivers and Har-
bors Committee of the House of Repre-
sentatives: Judge De Almond, of the
House of Representatives. and Mir.
Mischief, my private secretary We have
been away a month l have only a very
indefinite knowledge of what has taken
place in this country since my departure,
and. therefore. have nothing to say on
the subject of politics.
Troubles Galore Here.
Secretary Taft has plenty of troubles Of
a personal AMI political nature confront
ing him. and it is generally expected here
that he will feel Obliged to make a state
ment in the next day or two in regard
to his position with reference TO the use Of
the Presidency While he was away his
brother. Charles p. Taft, of Cincinnati,
issued "a statement virtually announcing
that Secretary Taft was in the race for
the Presidential nomination. and that he
was Ohio's favorite son. Senator Joseph
3. Foraker met this with a statement Of
his own accepting Charles p. Tafts chal-
lenge, practically announcing his own can
didacy for the Presidential nomination
and inferentially inviting Secretary Taft
to engage in a joint debate
Secretary Taft has insisted that while
he wouldn't object to being President. ne
was not a candidate for the nomination,
and wouldn't run after H. In view or
his brothers encouragement, however.
Secretary Taft probably viii be persuaded
to say something of definite character
in regard to his attitude In the opinion
of well informed people here. Mr. Taft
will decline TO enter the Ohio campaign
with his candidacy as an issue The
Secretary believes the real issue is
whether the policies Of President Roose-
welt or those represented by Senator For
aker shall be upheld
This attitude viii be. in effect. q re-
pudiation Of the statement issued by
Charles. p. Taft 1t is apparently not
known TO anybody, with the possible ex-
ception of President Roosevelt and a few
others, what lire Secretary Taft VIII be
advised to follow. Everything il is be-
lieved, will depend upon Mr. Taft him
self. and the opinion that he viii not
start out to get the Republican nomina-
ton is based on the understanding that
such course is entirely repugnant to the
Secretary of War.