Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1907-12-04
TAFT PLEADS
FOR WORLD
PEACE
DENIES ULTERl0R MOTIVE
IN TRIP AROUND WORLD
Secretary Visits Russian Par
lament and Participates in
Banquet in His Honor By ST,
Petersburg Admirers.
ln, MsrsIns geurnaI saeeIaI Lsa.ea vic.

tBy Morning journal special Leased wire.I
81 Petersburp. Dec. 3-The Ameri-
can secretary Of war. william II. Taft,
was accorded . hearty welcome here
Today. He arrived ia 81 Petersburg
IN the morning from Moscow and
after "a round or official visits and a
brief rest. visited the dOuma, where
he spent a half hour listening 10 the
debate on the ministerial declaration.
He was greeted by Premier Stolypin
and other high ministers, and was
made the object Of special attention
by the deputies IN the evening Sec
Rotary Taft attended a banquet given
in his honor by prominent Americans
and made a speech in which he em-
phatically denied that his trip around
the world had aught TO do with any
special policy of the United States.
whose sole policy. he said. was one Of
peace for all nations.
A review Of a famous guards corps
viii be given tomorrow at the Tsars-
kOe-Sel0 for the benent Of Secretary
Taft and later he win attend Foreign
Minister lswaIskrs banquet and q re-
ception Of the diplomatic corps and
Russian official society.
The secretary Is trying 10 arrange
his visit here So that he may catch the
steamer President Grant at BOulOgne
December : for his return home.
\ plea for world peace was the
topic Of the speech delivered by Secre-
tary Taft at the American banquet
here tonight. which was attended by
several high Russian officials In addi-
lion 70 some sixty Americans.
Responding 10 the speech OF well
come delivered by r. NJ Corse. who
presided. Secretary Taft said that he
hoped the traditional friendship be-
tween Russia and America would in
Crease and become stronger. The sim
ilarity In the development OF the I've
countries. he said, ought to produce
a sympathetic feeling and he drew a
parallel between Russia and America.
with reference 70 their Immense eX-
tent. affection u the difficulties I
arising therefrum.
Personally. the secretary had a
strong feeling of affection in regard
10 Russia. on account Of the two
years residence of his father there as
American minister. His present trip, I
said. had given rise TO a number
Of suggestions, the purpOrt Of which
was far from the truth. II had been
suggested that he was rounding the
world on q diplomatic mission 10 va
rious countries to carry out some Ill
timate policy Of the United States. but
Americas policy was the peace Of an
nations. His only official function. I
continued. was that connected
with the opening Of the Philip /
pine legislature and he was re-
turning home BY way of Russia. TO
the voyage across the Pacific. :
which ne had already made many
He sought an audience with
the emperor In order e. express his
personal gratitude for the hospitality
he had enjoyed on his trans
trip. and 10 assure him that
b deep desire exists on the part OF
Americans for the welfare and
prosperity Of Russia.
The secretary declared that intima-
that his trip was connected In
any way with a prospective war in the
east were without foundation. In
MS judgment there was no possibility
u war between the United States and
any country. nor was there any rea-
for %. The world needs peace for
o. real growth ana the happiness Of
he individual
Civilization. said the secretary. o.
indebted 20 Emperor Nicholas for the
initiation of International efforts for a
permanent peace and the mitigation
II war by the organization Of the
Hague conference.
At the conclusion of his speech he
oasted the emperor.
Count konitz. who is acting az inn
aide 10 Secretary Taft. re-
.ponded with "a toast to President
Roosevelt. which was drunk amid
enthusiasm and the singing or
he national hymn of both countries.
During the afternoon the secretary !
isited the douma. whore he was an
'hjeCt of great attention OF Premier l.
'tolypiu and the other ministers. He
cmained there only "a short time and
unable 10 visit the floor OF the
louse but hopes % meet the leading
later.
His audience with the foreign min
ster. 81 lswolsky lasted an hour. in
irrational relations being touched
only In a general way.
a special review Of the semi-noviskf
yards has been arranged FOR tomor-
ow at the Tsarskoe-Selo In honor Of
be- secretary Of war. after which
here Will be luncheon.
The luncheon 10 be- given tomorrow
honor Of Mrs. TAFT by Mrs. Mont
emery schuyler. Ir.. wife of the
.mcrican charge d'anaireS viii be
tended b~ a number Of American
idies aud high Russian society lead
inciudinR Princes Bclosseisky and
IinCezs cantacuzcne lJuiia Dent