The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-04
SECRETARY TAFT
 AS PEACEMAKER
Address Is Made at Banquet in
 St. Petersburd
WORL D OWES DEBT To GEAR
Taft Speaks of Emperor Nicholas In Highest Terms For lnaugurating the Peace Conference at
 The Hague.

St. Petersburg. December s.--A plea for world peace was the topic of Il speech delivered by Secretary Taft at the American banquet here tonight which was attended by several high Russian officials In addition to some sixty Americans. Secretary Taft ar rived here this morning from Moscow and was met by a deputatlon of of ficers representing the minister of war
 Secretary Taft said in his banouet speech that he hoped the traditional friendship between Russia and Ameri- ca would increase and become strong CT. The similarity in the development of the two countries he said. ought to produce 8 sympathetic feeling. and he drew parallel between Russia and America with reference to their im- mense extent and the difficulties aris- ing therefrom. His present trip, he said, had given rise to number of suggestions, the purport of which was far from the truth. It had been sug- gested that he was rounding up the world on a diplomatic mission to varl- ous countries to carry out some ulti- mate policy of the United States, but America's only policy was the peace of all nations. His only official func- tion, he continued, was that connected with the inauguration of the Phil lippine congress and he was returning home by way of Russia to avoid the voyage across the Pacific, which he had already made many times He sought an audience with the Emperor in order to express his personal grat- itude for the hospitality which he had enjoyed on his trans-Siberian trip and l to assure him that deep desire ex- | ists on the part of the Americans for the welfare and prosperity of Russia The secretary declared that intina tions that his trip was connected In any way with a prospective war in the far east were without foundation. In his judgment there was no possibility of war between the United States and any country, nor was there any req son for it.
 Civilization, said the secretary, is in- debted to Emperor Mich olas for the in- itiation of international efforts for per manent peace and the mitigation of war by the origin of The Hague conference. At the conclusion of his speech he toasted the Emperor.
 Count Konitz, who Is acting as im- perial aide to Secretary Taft, responded with a toast to President Roosevelt which was drunk amid great enthusi- asm. The secretary made round Of official calls and visited the douma where he was an object of great at tention on the part of Premier Stolypin and the other ministers. His audience with Foreign Minister NJ Iswolsky lasted an hour. international relations being touched upon only in gem eral way.
 Secretary Taft and the members of his suite visited the douma at late hour today. Baron Ostensachen met the party at the portico of the palace and conducted them into one of the imperial boxes directly opposite the speaker. Premier Stolypin, Minister Of War Rudiger and other members or the cabinet were in their usual places. Several diplomats who formerly had been stationed in Washington entered the box to pay their respects to the secretary.
 Secretary Taft was impressed with the spaciousness and magnificence Of the chamber which was brilliantly illuminated. During MT. Tafts stay M Shubinsky, an octoberist; M. Tym- sha q Pole. and an Armenian soiciaI democrat took turns in speaking. Ihe session was not marked by any es- pecial incident. e
 The news of the presence of Secre- tary Taft in the chamber spread quickly until finally the attention or practically everybody in the house was centered on the imperial box.
 The secretary and his party stayed for half an hour and then lett