New-York tribune., 1907-04-24
TAFT RESUMES WORK.
TALKS WITH PRESIDENT.
Discusses Freely EUerything Except
Politics.
IFrom The TrIbuno Bureau.l

washington. April 29.-secretary Taft talked free
,v with newspaper men to-day on every subject
st.v chose 10 suggest except politics He insisted
snof ne had had no opportunity 10 look around
80 he had come back with his mind full OF i'm
liant matters which he must report TO the Presi-
-. some Of which he would be obliged TO discuss
,,b him before a decision could be reached, and
.,ot IN these circumstances it would be unfair 70
81 him even to think OF politics to-day. Nor
,,s he give the slightest intimatiOn whether or
-, he was likely to say anything on the subject
:, the near future. insisting that II was only be-
100 news was scarce that the correspondents
-ere concerned regarding his AFFAIRS. He said his
address 10 the Yale Federation at Cincinnati next
-eek would not be political speech
The Secretary resumed his routine duties at the
War Department. but the fact that Il was Cabinet
esv made It necessary for him TO cut short the
time allowed 20 callers and 10 postpone until a
mora convenient moment the consultations he de-
sired 10 have.
II Is doubtful whether IN his Washington expert
.nce the Secretary has had 10 deal with more
reVspaper men than he to-day. OF course, they
we're Interested in hts Southern journey, but they
xrsre mainly desrous 10 learn just what he IN
sended TO do IN answer 20 the challenge which
Senator Foraker had issued IN regard 10 the con-
test in Ohio One point developed IN the talk that
might be regarded significant, since Il has been
reported the Secretary had intended TO cancel his
troposed Philippine trip 10 go on the stump IN
Ohio Replying TO direct inquiry. he said that It
A his intention sail for the Philippines about
September L
CONFERENCE AT WHITE HOUSE
This statement was made after he had spent
nearly two hours in close conference with the Pres
sdeut For. after attending his first Cabinet meet
ing In four weeks. the Secretary was invited by
the President TO remain at the White House for
luncheon, and that time was spent IN a discussion
not only OF the SecretaTys observations IN his
Southern trip. but also OF tho political develop
ments here IN his absence ana OF the policies to
be pursued in the future. What the plans are was
not disclosed but after the luncheon the Secretary
reiterated his statement OF last night that he In
tended go 10 Ohio next Friday and would make
three speeches while away from Washington.
Later in the summer Secretary Taft expects TO
60 20 Iowa and TO Minnesota, in each case to ad-
the state universities. but he did not say that
these addresses would be non-pontical He was
wanted IN Oklahoma. and he said he would go If he
could He had been told that bitter political
fight 10 be waged there and that IL he went
into the new state he would have to enter that
fight lie also had been requested. he said. TO go
into South Dakota on purely political tour. and
possibly he would make speech at Fort Meade.
Nothing, however. would probably prevent him from
going to the Philippines IN September.
Mr.. Taft said he found conditions In Cuba far
better than he had hoped. The Liberals appreciate
that it IS necessary make haste slowly and that
any other course would mean setting Up a govern
ment which could not stand alone. The most hope
fgl sign which the Secretary found the perfect
agreement reGcheC on praclCally me entire
for the elections and transfer OF authority
For this agreement the Secretary gives large
share OF the credit to the tact and good judgment
o. Governor Magoon. and tho rest TO the committee
which appointed TO draft election law. This
committee. composed OF four Liberal and four Con-
EervRfive cubans and three Americans was unanI-
nous in its decision that the taking OF a census
must precede the municipal and provincial
election; that such municipal provincial cleo
don should be held in order that the law might be
tested: that about six months should elapse before
national election, and that after that about four
months should elarse before the government was
transferred 10 the administration. Figuring IN
this way. Secretary Taft assumes that the final
transfer OF authority cannot be made before Sep
tsmber. 1908. lie adds. however. that these dates
purely tentative and somewhat dependent on
intervening events.
cUBANs' SUSPICION ALLAYED.
sanle time ago there was suspicion in Cuba that
the United States purposed 10 set up a government
which would not inspire confidence. which would
fan almost Immediately making necessary sec
Ond intervention, after which this country would
saw We have given you your chance and you
failed 10 avail yourself Of It. Now have come
back 10 stay" The Secretary believes that the
care OF this country 10 secure as perfect cleo
ton law possible and its Uuwilngness TO be
hurried have demonstrated 10 the Cubans that the
United States IS doing everything In its power to
insure a stable, permanent government in the
island.
The question Of who should 6efray the cost OF the
American occupation OF Cuba, or how the expense
should be divided. not decided IN Havana. and
Mr.. Taft VIII take the matter up with the Presi-
dent. Cuba viii send three delegates TO the Hague
convention and n all ways act IN her relations with
foreign nations precisely as IL Governor Magoon
a Cuban official and no intervention had taken
place.
Secretary Taft said that Porto Rico was enjoying
exceptional prosperity. and reported everything on
the canal 10 be in a satisfactory condition,
with the possible exception OF the wage scale. The
problem growing OF the organization of practi-
cally all the labor the canal and the uniform
demand for increased wages Mr.. Taft did not un-
oertGke 20 settle He heard every one has brought
al the data he could gather. and when a letter
he Is expecting from Colonel Goethals arrives 10
complete the evidence, he VIII lay the matter be-
fore the President. who VIII make the final decision
regarding wages and the advsabity Of raising them
or OF incurring danger OF a strike.
There has been no hitch IN the engineering prob
lens relating 20 the canal There were no errors