The National tribune., 1907-10-10
WHAT DOES IT ALL MEAN?
Tie Magnificent Receptions to Root in
Mexico, and Taft in Japan.

Secretaries Root and Taft have been
throwing all their Cabinet confreres
into the shade during the past week.
Official Washington is all alert t0 know
what the inside significance of their re-
spective visits to Mexico and Tokyo re-
spectively have been. 1t may be weeks
or months before the real news will
leak out. There never was such re-
ception by the Mexican Government
before to a Cabinet officer from the
United States, and there was never such
reception by the Japanese Govern
ment before to one of our Cabinet Off
GERS Root has been hobnobbing with
Diaz; Taft with the Mikado. Nothing
in either country has been any too good
for either of the visitors.
Secretary Taft will be quite an asso-
ciate of Kings and rulers before he re-
turns again to his native heath. He
has had an audience with the Mikado
and dined at the Mikado's table. He is
u be entertained at dinner by Kaiser
Wilhelm, of Germany, and also will
have a personal audience with the Car
Of all the Russas. Numerous impor-
tant dignitaries in the several coun-
tries thru which he travels will meet
the genial Secretary of War, and should
he eventually become the occupant of
the White House he will have toler-
abby god round-the-word acquaint-
ance. It always helps some to have
known personally the people one has to
transact important business with.
What Has Taft Gained.
There has been much speculation
about what Secretary Taft accomplished
while at Tokyo, particularly toward the
exclusion from this country of the Jap
aDese coolies. II is limited that he made
a material advance toward negotiations
which were halted some months ago
by the refusal of the japanese authori-
ties to consider the exclusion by treaty
OF any 1f their citizens. 1t is claimed
however, that the situation has changed
somewhat, and that Secretary Taft was
enabled to turn such developments as
the outbreak in British Columbia to
the advantage of the United States. If
President Roosevelt should be able -
negotiate treaty Of exclusion with
Japan il would be tremendous
achievement fo- him and his Admin
tration OH the Pacific Coast. Il would
in;rencti the Republican Party in power
there. and save the party leaders gem
orally rom further annoyance because
OF the agitation of that subject.
In eonJection with Mr. Taft's friend
ly visit as the Secretary Of Peace" to
japan there has been much more dis
cuss:oa of the orders TO the battleship
fleet TO proceed II the Pacific. The
President has directed that the depar-
ture shall not be later than Dec. Is. al
tho IL viii be = tremendous rash TO
have the ships all equipped and ready
10 weigh anchor, ~ tb9t time. The
RuyeaR Chiefs at lie Navy Depar;rl mt
are anxious 10 have The ships in per-
feet condition, and Il lot OF repair and
equipment " 1rk had 20 be done. The
most important Improvement being in
stalled is a deTice to prevent the fare
backs IN the big guns, such as caused
the explosion last Summer on the Geor-
gia.
The critics are very active. They
are emphasizing the objections to the
sending OF The feet, but these are hav-
ing no iufiueucc with the President TIE
fact that The feet will steam around
Smth America w-ith Il flotilla of foreign
coliicrs in their wake is being used
extensively by the owners OF America
shipping vessels, who tank they should
have been given the contracts for carry
ing this coal. 1t was decided last week
that not more Than one contract for
carrying the coal for The feet on this
long cruise would 30 10 aa American
vessel. All the o;Iier American bid
ders refused the Presidents offer To
nav them so per cent more than the
lowest bid made by the owner of a for
eign vessel.
lsss ~ The Coastwise SnnrI.
Most men in public life commend the
Presidents action, altho some of them
do not speak their real sentiments in
the matter. Navy officers are highly
pleased over the movement, especially
the younger men. because 1t gives them
opportunities for more important COM
mands. The Captains to take the bat
tIeships around the Horn are being
gradually selected 1t is regarded in
naval circles as a distinction TO have a
chance 20 become one of that circle of
Captains.
The Attorney General, Mr.. Bona
parte, has smoothed the way somewhat
for the President. by rendering an opin-
Sen that the latter has not been violat-
ing- the coastwise shipping laws by
sending coal for the Navy from Nor