The state herald., 1907-12-13
HAS A LONG AUDIENCE WITH EN-.
PERoR NICHOLAS AT TsAR.
skoE.sELo.
TALK IN PRIVATE STUDY
DISCUSSES AMERICAN MILITARY,
Philippine AND CANAL
PROBLEMS.

ST. Petersburg.-SecretA Taft was
received In audience Wednesday by
Emperor Nicholas at Tsarskoe.Selo
and hoard from his majesty the frank
es! expression OF Russias sentim.uts
Of sympathy in regard to the United
States. The Emperor requested Mr..
Taft to convey his greetings to Presl-
dent Roosevelt.
The secretary spent about five hours
with the Emperor and enjoyed the
honor of a long intimate conversation
regarding matters in the United States
and the problems confronting the
American government
AS the Empress is Ill, Mr.. Taft did
not see her, but was presented to the
other members Of the imperial family.
On account of the secretary's ex.
pressed desire that he be received un-
officially. no salute was fired, but the
reception which was given n military
setting by parade and regimental fes.
tlval Of the Semenovsky regiment, tho
officers of which attended the lunch.
con with Mr.. Taft.
The secretary, accompanied by Brig.
Gen. Clarence r. Edwards, Captain Slo-
cum. American military attache. and
Count Konitz. the Russian officer who
Is acting as his aide during his solourn
In this city, left st. Petersburg at an
early hour on special train for rsar.
skoe-Selo, where the party was met by
state equipage and 7everal court OF.
fioials. The visitors were driven di.
rect to the so-called little palace" the
residence OF the Emperor, and escort.
ed through the palace with the usual
ceremonials.
/ Secretary Taft was received by his
majesty In his private study. There tho
Emperor discussed with him military
topics at considerable length. He ques'
/ toned Mr.. Taft concerning his journey
over the trans Siberian railroad. and
drew n contrast between the present
means OF Communication and the meth
I'd In vogue tthree-horse sicighs and
steamers across the rivers and the
lakes) when he made his trip across
! Asia to inauguTate the trans Siberian
I line.
!
IN the problems which the American
government has to solve In the Phil
ippine islands. and he asked many
questions concerning the new Philip
pine assembly. He referred also In a
complimentary manner to the work
done by the American government on
I the isthmus OF Panama In It's light
against the yellow fever.
| At the riding school. where the
I Semenovsky regiment, 1890 strong. ac'
companied by u machine gun battery
and several other detachments. was
drawn up for review. the Emperor and
/ Secretary Taft were received with
cheers. Then the Emperor AMI his
guest, accompanied by their respective
stats, walked together through the
/ lines OF tho regiment and inspected III
| formation. When this exhibition wus
] over, the troops passed twice ut quick
step before the reviewing party. and
! then the host and his guests returned
U the palace for luncheon.
Al night Secretary Taft and the
members OF his party were entertained
at dinner by Minister Iswolsky. Al
] this function there wero present also
/ Premier Stolypin, Minister of Finance
] Koskoswyki, War Minister Gen. Rudi'
I ger, Lieutenant General Baiatzyn. cLief
/ OF the general stan. and tho most
prominent officials Of the foreign once.
The occasion was marked by great
I cordially and the exchange OF mutual
[ hopes that the bonds Of frisndHh'1 he
Z tween the two countries would BE-
strengthened.