Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1907-12-05
Sec, Taft Has Long Talk
With the Emperor.
Nicholas Sends kindest Greet
ings TO Our President.
Soc. Taft Dlned and Entertained
BY Cabinet Officials.

St. Petersburg, Dec. 4.-Secretary
Taft was received in audience by En-
peror Nicholas at Tsarskoe-Selo today
and received from His Majesty the
frankest expression of Russia's senti-
ments Of sympathy and regard for the
United States. The Emperor requested
Mr.. Taft to convey his greetings to
President Roosevelt.
The secretary had a long and init
mate conversation with His Majesty
regarding the situation in the United
States.
The Empress owing TO on attack OF
influenza could not meet Mr.. Taft. He
was presented. however. to the other
members of the imperial family. The
reception was given military setting
by a parade and a regimental festival
of the Semenovsky Regiment, the OFF,
GERS of which attended the luncheon
with NJ. Taft.
The secretary and party left st.
Petersburg at an early hour on spe-
cial train for Tsarskoe- Selo, where
| they were met by state equipaSe and
| driven direct to the so-called little
| palace" the residence Of the Emperor,
and escorted through the place with
| the usual ceremonial.
Secretary Taft was received by His
Majesty in his private study and spent
nearly an hour in conversation.
| The Emperor discussed military top
| les at considerable length. He ques-
toned Mr.. Taft concerning his journey
| over the Siberian railroad. His
| Majesty showed keen interest in the
problems which the American govern
ment has to solve in the Philippine is
| lands. Brig Gen. Edwards. a member
| of the party, was presented separate
! ly to His Majesty after the secretary
had retired.
The party then proceeded TO the rid
! ing school where the Semenovsky
regiment, 1900 strong and accompanied
by a machine gun battery and several
other attachments were drawn up. The
Emperor and his guests, accompanied
by their respective stats. walked
together through the lines of the regi-
ment and inspected its formation. Then
the host and his guests returned TO the
palace for luncheon.
Sec. Taft was seated at the right of
the Emperor and Brig. Gen. Ed
wards was at the right of General Bar
on FreGericks. minister of the Imperial
house During the luncheon Emperor
| Nicholas toasted the Semenovsky Reg
iment and thanked the officers for Their
loyal services in recent trying times.
1t was a late hour in the afternoon
| before the visitors returned to St
Petersburg.
Tonight Sec Taft and members of his
party were entertained ct dinner by For
eign Minister Iswolsky. There were pres
ent also Premier Stolypin, Minister of FL
nance Kokovsoff, Minister General Rudi-
ger, Lieut.. Gen. Balatsyn, chief .. the
general staff, and the most prominent Of
ficials of the foreign office. Covers were
laid for "a guests. The occasion was
marked by great cordially and the ex-
change of mutual hopes that the bonds
of friendship between the two countries
would be Strengthened.
In proposing the health of Secretary
and Mrs Taft and the distinguished par
ty accompanying them, the Russian for
eign minister said that it was keen
pleasure to welcome one of the leading
statesmen of the great Northern republic.
He was afraid that the great speed with
which Sec. Taft had Travelled the entire
breadth of the empire had enabled him
to obtain only a birdseye view of it; yet
he hoped the secretary had gathered a
conviction that the sympathies of the
Russian people for America were as
warm as ever. a conviction which when
conveyed by him to his fellow country
men would surely strengthen the historic
friendship and mutual respect Of Russia
and America.
Secretary Taft expressed his thanks for
the cordial welcome he had received
across the empire from VladivostolS to St
Petersburg and from the Emperor and
the military and civil officers. The great
impression he had had of Siberia and 9TH
err parts of Russia helped him to under
stand the difficult problems presented and
the American people he said. were pro.
foundly interested in the successful work
ing out of these problems so as to re.
dound tic the honor of the Russian gov
eminent and the happiness and prosperity
Of the people. The traditional friendship
of Russia had been cherished by Ameri
cans since the Civil War and he was glat
to carry to them the message of good
will that had fallen from the lips Of his
host.
Mrs. Taft tonight learned of the serious
illness of Mr.. Taft's mother and decided
to abandon her European trip and return
with the secretary on the steamer Pres
ident Grant.
| THE GARNET WpEck