Washington State journal. [volume] (Ritzville, Wash.) 1907-1911, 1907-12-26
SEC'Y TAFT
RETURNS
AFTER TRIP AROUND
THE WORLD.
SAYS POSSIBLE WAR WITH
JAPAN IS ALL FOOL
lSHNESS.

William II. Taft, secretary OF war.
has returned from his trip around the
world, bringing renewed assurance Of
Japan's friendliness toward the United
States, but declining to say anything
with respect to the political situation
in this country. He said he had been
too long out of intimate touch with
present affairs at home to discuss
them in any way. One Of Mr.. Taft's
interviewers had the temerity to ask:
We'll, Secretary, tell us who is your
choice for president"
Amid general laughter. in which he
heartily Joined, the secretary replied:
81 guess l will have to leave that to
inference"
Looking exceedingly well, the secre-
tary said he had taken daily five-mile
walks on the decks Of the President
Grant during the 10 days trip from
Hamburg.
ut is the height of foolishness to
talk of possible war with JAPAN" de-
clared the secretary. Japan does not
desire war with us, and we certainly
do not desire war with Japan. If there
was any war spirit anywhere in Japan
l failed to find the slightest note Of it..
Everywhere there was talk of con-
tinued peace. l speak very confidently
about this Our trade relations with
Japan are extensive and constantly
growing. Japan's exports amount an
nually to about 100000, of which
we take about one-third. The exports
consist largely of mattings, laces, en-
broideries and other fancy work, in the
production of which many people are
interested. We, in turn, ship vast guam
titles of -four, oil and such commodi-
ties to Japan. This sort of trade is a
great paciticator."
What about the Pacific fieet?"
1.-THE sailing must have been a mag
nificent sight. We have fine ships and
fine personnel, and as long as the
Pacific ocean belongs to us as much
as to anybody else see no reason why
we should not send our ships there on
practice cruise. The Japanese are
too intelligent and high-minded to at
tribute any false motive to the move
ment.
"The trip through Russia was made
partly to save time and partly because
had crossed the Pacific six times and
was rather anxious to see the terri.
tory. My visit was in no sense official.
So many courtesies were shown me
from the moment l put foot on Rus.
sian soil that could not have re-
fused, even had / desired to do so, the
invitation to an audience of the EN-.
peror. I was much impressed by the
emperor's personality. and his entire
familiarity with current affairs. es.
pecially American politics.
AT Moscow / had the rather novel
experience Of dining one day with an
offlcial who next day was made the
target of a bomb. This was Governor
General Guerschelmann. Inc ride
through Siberia was most enlightening
and gave one q different idea of that
country from what 1t is generally con.
ceived to be. Especially is this true
as to agriculture, minerals and popu.
lation. Western Siberia will probably
undergo the same process Of develop.
ment as our middle west, and believe
in time it will be the center of popu.
lation of the Russian empire.
Il was much pleased with conditions
in the Philippines. They we're much
haitian knn hnA g,.f