The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1907-12-26
Secretary TAfT'S
LONG TRIP ENDED
HE LANDS AT NEW YORK AND
GOES ON TO WASHINGTON
TO RESUME WORK.
SCOTS At Talk Of War-Japan Wants
Only Peace and commeroe--ohIoan
Refuses to Discuss the Presidential
Campaign.

New York, Dec. 21.--William H.
Taft. secretary of war, returned Fri
day from his trip around the world.
bringing renewed assurance Of Japan 8
friendliness toward the United States.
but declining to say anything with re-
spect to the political situation In this
country.
He said that he had been too long
out of intimate touch with political af.
fairs at home to discuss them in any
way. One of Mr.. Taft's interviewers
had the temerity to ask: well, sec
retary, tell US who is your choice for
president"
Amid general laughter. In which he
heartily joined the secretary replied:
Il guess will have to leave that to
inference"
Mr.. Taft left for Washington on an
early afternoon train, saying that ac-
cumulated matters in the war depart
ment would keep his nose to the on
cial grindstone for some time to come,
and that the preparation of his special
report on the Philippines, which would
be in book form. would also require
much Of his time In the near future.
War Talk All FsoIishnsss.
1T is the height Of foolishness to
talk of possible war with Japan" de-
clared the secretary. Japan doesn't
desire war with us and we certainly
10 not desire war with Japan. II there
vas any war spirit anywhere In Japan
failed to nnd the slightest note OF
1t. Everywhere there was talk OF con-
inued peace. ] speak very confidently
about this. Our trade relations with
Japan are extensive and constantly
growing. Japan's exports amount an
naully to absut &1s0.ooo, 900. of which
we take about ons-third. The exports
consist largely Of mattings. lace goods,
,mbroideries and other fancy work, in
The production OF which many people
are interested. We In turn ship vast
quantities Of -four. oil and such COM
modities to Japan. This sort of trade
) a great pacifcator"
What about the Pacific feet?"
The sailing must have been mag
lficent sight. We have fine ships
md fne personnel, and as long az
the Pacific ocean belongs to US as
much as to anybody else I see no rea-
ion why we should not send our ships
here on practice cruise. The Japan.
sse are too intelligent and high-minded
10 attribute any false motive to the
Returns to Washington.
Washington, Dec 21.--Secretary
raft. accompanied by his son, Charlie
'aft. arrived in Washington over the
pennsylvania railroad Friday evening
It 6:35 o'clock.
Mr.. Taft met newspaper men by ap-
continent at his residence Friday
light, after which he called at ten
,'clock at the White House to discuss
With the president his trip abroad.
Mr.. Taft talked freely with the news
'aper men concerning his long trip
broad. He declined to be drawn into
discussion Of the political situa,
ion, stating that he had been absent |
or so long time that he was not |
amilar with the trend of events. He
i'd announce, however, that he had
made an appointment to meet Arthur
verys, his campaign manager, early
ext week In Washington to talk over
he situation. Secretary Taft says
hat he expected to remain in Wash
ngtor all Of next week.