New-York tribune., 1907-12-05
CAR RECEIVES TAFT.
LATER REFTEW TROOPS.
Expresses Sym pathy and Regard for
the United States.

< Petersburg. Dec 4.-Secretary Taft was
received in audience by Emperor Nicholas at
Tsarkoe- Selo to-day and from his ma iestv
heard the frankest expression of Russia's SEN
,nents II sympathy and regard for the United
states The Emperor requested Mr.. Taft with
whom ne spent about five hours to convey his
greetings to President Roosevelt.
The Secretary. accompanied by Brigadier Cen
oral Clarence r. Edwards who is of his party
Captain \ L. II. Slocum. the American mill
-sry attache. and Count Konitz. the Russian
officer who is acting his aid during his So
iourn IN this city. left 81. Petersburg at an
,arly hour on a special train for Tsarskoe-SeIo
There the party met by a state equipage
and a number of court officials. The visitors
were driven direct TO the so-called Little Pal
ace the residence of the Emperor, and escorted
through the palace with the usual ceremonial.
Secretary Taft was received by his majesty
in his private study and spent nearly one hour
in intimate conversation. The Emperor dis
cussed military topics al considerable length.
lie questioned Mr.. Taft in regard to his Jour
ney over the Transsiberian Railroad. and
drew a contrast between present means of
communication and the method in vogue-three
horsed sleighs and steamers across the rivers
and lakes-when he made his trip across Asia
10 inaugurate the Transsiberian lines.
His jesty showed a keen interest in the
problems which the American government has
to solve in the Philippine Islands. and he asked
nlany questions concerning the Philippine
Assembly. The Emperor referred also in
complimentary manner TO the work done by the
American government the 1sthnus or
Panama in its fight against yellow fever
After the audience the party went TO the
riding school, where the Senenovsky Regiment,
LS9o strong. and accompanied by machine gun
battery and several other detachments. was
drawn UP. The Emperor and Secretary Taft
were received with cheers. Then the Emperor
and his guests, accompanied by their respective
staffs walked together through the lines Of the
regiment and inspected its formation. When
this examination over the troops passed
twice at a quickstep before the reviewing party.
and then the host and his guests returned to the
palace for luncheon.
Tonight Secretary Taft and the members Of
his party were entertained at dinner by Foreign
Minister Iswolsky. There were present also
Premier Stolypn Minister OF Finance kokov-
soft War Minister General Rudiger. Lieutenant
General Balatzyn, chief of the general staff,
and the most prominent officials of the Foreign
Office.
In proposing the health Of the Secretary and
Mrs. Taft and the distinguished party accom-
panying them, the Russian Foreign Minister
said that il was keen pleasure to welcome
one of the leading statesmen Of the great north
ern Republic. He said he afraid that the
great speed at which Secretary Taft had trav-
eIled the entire breadth of the empire had en-
abed him to obtain only bird's-eye view, yet
he hoped that the Secretary had gathered con-
viction that the sympathles of the Russian peo-
pie for America as warm as ever. a con-
viction which when conveyed by him to his
fellow countrymen would surely strengthen the
historic friendship and mutual respect Of Rus
sia and America
Secretary Taft in reply expressed thanks for
the cordial welcome he had received across the
empire from Vladvostok TO ST Petersburg and
from the Emperor as well as the military and
civil officers. The glimpse he had had Of Siberia
and other parts of Russia helped him to under
stand the difficult problems presented and the
American people, he said, were profoundly in
terested in the successful working out OF these
problems so as TO rebound TO the honor of the
Russian government and the happiness and
prosperity of the people The traditional friend
ship for Russia had been cherished by Ameri-
cans since the Civil War. and he said he was
glad to carry to them the message of good will
that had fallen from the lips of his host
Mrs. Taft learned tonight OF the serious ill
ness Of Mr.. Taft's mother and decided 10 aban-
don her European trip and return to America
with the Secretary on the steamer President
Grant.
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