Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1907-12-28
Sec TAFT
* TURNS
AFTER TRIP AROUND
THE WORLD.
SAYS POSSIBLE WAR WITH
JAPAN is ALL FOOL
ISHNESS.

William II. Taft secretary of war,
has returned from his trip around the
world. bringing renewed assurance Of
Japans friendlness 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;
Well, Secretary, tell us who is your
choice for president"
Amid general laughter. in which he
heartily joined, the secretary replied;
q 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 IS days trip from
Hamburg
1T 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
| failed to find the slightest note of it,
Everywhere there was talk of con
tinued peace. | speak very confidently
about this Our trade relations with
Japan are extensive and constantly
growing. Japan's exports amount an
nually to about $1G0000,0o0 of which
we take about onethird. 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
-ties of -four, oil and such commodi-
ties to Japan This sort of trade is a
great pacifcator."
What about the Pacific ileet?'
"The sailing must have been a mag
nificent sight We have fine ships and
a fine personnel, and as long as the
Pacific ocean belongs to us as much
as to anybody else I 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 tori
tory. My visit was in nc sense official
/ 80 Oh 10
from the moment I put foot on Rus
sian soil that l could not have re-
fused, even had | desired to do so, the
invitation to an audience of the en-
peror | 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
official 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 a different idea of that
country from what it 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 I 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 were much
/ 1 M.
tial proceedings of the first Philippine
assembly and its tendency to conserva-
tism, despite the supposed radical ma
jority, were most gratifying.
In China the American residents
were anxious for reinsurance as to
Americas intention toward maintain
ing the open door policy. At the ban
quet in Shanghai | endeayered to give
| this assurance"