The Colorado statesman., 1907-12-07
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.-Secreta Taft was
received in audience Wednesday by
Emperor Nicholas at Tsarskoe-Selo
and heard from his majesty the frank.
es! expression of Russia's 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 States
and the problems confronting the
American government
AS the Empress is i'll, Mr.. Taft did
not see her, but was presented to the
other members OF the imperial family.
On account of the secretary's ex-
pressed desire that he be received un-
officially, no salute was fired, but the
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, and
Count Konitz, the Russian of1cer who
is acting as his aide during his sojourn
in this city, left St Petersburg ut an
early hour on special train for 'Tsar.
skoe-Selo, where the party was met by
state equipage and 3everal court of.
fic1als. The visitors were driven d.
rect to the so-called little palace" the
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 a contrast between the present
rIeans of communication and the meth.
ID in vogue (three-horse sleighs and
steamers across the rivers and the
lakes) when he made his trip across
Asia to inaugurate the trans-Si5erian
line
The Emperor showed a keen interest
III the problems which the American
government has to solve in the Phiia
ippinc anu LC oohSo iiAtSAy
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 it's light
against the yellow fever.
At the riding school, where the
Semenovsky regiment, 1900 strong. &C.
companied by a machine gun battery
and several other detachments, was
drawn up for review, the Emperor and
Secretary Taft were received with
cheers. Then the Emperor and his
guest, accompanied by their respective
staffs walked together through the
lines of the regiment and inspected ita
formation When this exhibition waa
over the troops passed twice at quick
step before the reviewing party, and
then the host and his guests returned
to the palace for luncheon.
At night Secretary Taft and the
members Of his party were entertained
at dinner by Minister Iswolsky. AT
this function there were present also
Premier Stolypin, Minister of Finance
Koskoswvki, War Minister Gen. Rudi.
ger, Lieutenant General Balatzyn, ciief
of the general staff, and the most
prominent officials of the foreign otiice.
The occasion was marked by great
cordiality and the exchange of mutual
hopes that the bonds of friendship be-
tween the two countries would be
strengthened.