The Glenwood post., 1907-12-07
TAFT HONORED .
IN RUSSIA
GREETED BY PREMIER AND AT
TENDS SESSION OF THE
DUMA.
WILLSAIL LON The GRANT
SECRETARY ATTENDS BANQUET
GIVEN BY AMERICAN
RESIDENTS.

St. Petersburg.-The American Jec.
retary of war, William H. Taft, was ac-
corded hearty welcome here Tuesday
He arrived in ST. Petersburg in the
morning from Moscow and after
round of official visits and a brief rest
visited the duma, where he spent half
an hour listening to the debate on IN
ministerial declaration. He was gree
ed by the premier, NJ. Stolypin. and
other high ministers, and was made
the object of special attention by the
deputies.
The secretary is trying to arrange
his visit here so that he may catch the
steamer President Grant at Boulogne,
December Sth, for his return home.
The carriages of the American am,
bassador with their liveried servants.
in which the secretary drove while pay
ing his calls, were recognized every
where. Crowds gathered in spite of
the threatening weather, and General
Taft" as the secretary has come to be
called here, was cheered again and
again.
| Owing to the extraordinary rumors
in circulation here regarding the nature
OF his mission, the visit of Mr.. Taft has
aroused the liveliest interest and curl
osity. The Russian the official organ
of the government, makes an effort to
correct these wrong Impressions In
a leading article extending to Secre.
tary Taft an open door Russian vel
come the paper says:
The high position and the personal
G'erits of Secretary Taft explain the
heartiness of his reception and th.
honor of an audience with the Elm
peror, but it is mistake to suppose
that Mr.. Tafts visit Is in any way
connected with a change in the inter,
national policy of Russia. There is not
word of truth in the rumors that we
are to give base for an American fleet
at Vladivostok or any other Pacific
port; but the visit of Secretary Taft
will renew and strengthen the old
bonds of sympathy between Russia anu
America"
Secretary Taft and the members of
his suite visited the duma at late
hour today. Baron Ostensachen mA
the party at the portico of the palace
and conducted them to one of the I'M
perial boxes directly opposite the
speaker. Premier Stolypin, Minister
of War Rudiger and other members OF
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.
Sir Donald Mckenzie Wallace. the
author, who opportunely was present
in the palace. Joined Secretary Taits
party and acted as interpreter of the
speeches. He pointed out also the lead
ing members of the duma- Secretary
Taft was impressed with the spacious
ness and magnificence of the chamber.
which was brilliantly illuminated. Dur.
Ing Mr.. Tafts stay M. Shubinsky, an
Octoberist; M. Lymsh, a Pole, and an
Armenian Social Democrat took turns
in speaking. The session was not
marked by any special incident
The news of the presence of Secre-
tary Taft in the chamber spread
quickly until finally the attention OF
practically everybody in the house,
members of the ministry. senators.
diplomats, newspaper correspondents
and deputies was centered on The I'm.
perial box.
plea for world peace was the topic
OF a speech delivered by Secretary Tai.
Mt the American banquet here Tuesday
night which was attended by several
high Russian officials. in addition 70
some sixty Americans.
Responding to the speech of wei
come delivered by F. M. Corse, who
presided, Secretary Taft said that h9n
hoped the traditional friendship beS
tween Russia and America would ~
crease and become stronger. The shr
i!arity in the development of the two
countries, he said, ought to produce n
sympathetic feeling, and he drew par
allel between Russia and America. win
reference to their immense extent, ana
the difficulties arising therefrom. Per
sonally, the secretary had strong icel-
ing of affection and regard for RnEs!a'
on account of the two years residence
of his father there as American minis
tel.
His present trip, he said, had given
rise to a number of suggestions. me
purport of which was far from lhe
truth. 1t had been suggested that he
was rounding the world on iipio'
mttic mission to various countries 10
carry out some ultimate policy OF the
United States, but Americas policy
was the peace of all nations. His only
official function, he continued. was tnat
connected with the Inauguration Of inc
Philippine assembly, and he was re-
turning home by way of Russia 20
avoid the voyage across the Pacihc
which he had already made man!
times.