New-York tribune., 1907-12-21

.,;ed by Mrs Taft. their son Charles and
other members Of his party. arrived here yes
-erdav on the Hamburg-Amercan liner Presi-
dent Grant after trip around the world which
took TO days.
The Secretary was in great hurry &c get to
we aehington. and had little time TO talk of his
irip or of politics. but in the few minutes he
allotted the reporters he spoke briefly or the
attitude of Japan toward the United States. the
wisdom of sending the feet to the Pacific Coast
and how conditions had improved in the Philip
pines.
Mr. Taft replied to all questions pleasantly
and tersely but evaded good naturedly all IN
ouiries concerning the Republican Presidential
nomination. He explained that, as he hao peeh
travelling far away from home on special mis-
sion to the Philippines and had given his entire
time to the work for nearly four months, he
Vas ont of touch with the political situation.
Mr. Taft laughed heartily when the abrupt
question. -'who is your favorite candidate for
the Presidency" was hurled at him. I'D rather
leave that 10 inference" he replied
The Secretary had hardly regained composure
when he was told that Mr.. Bryan had said that
morning in THE Commener" that ''if Mr. Tart
were nominated he would straddle the issues
and would be unable TO keep both wings OF the
Republican party together
The onotation from THE Commoner'' amused
Mr.. Taft much more than Gid the first question.
and he laughed for fully a minute Then ne
remarked, II am not running newspaper
The Secretary and his party made a little trip
around the harbor before they took the 1:14
D. m train of the Pennsylvania Railroad Tor
Washington. The President Grant came into
Quarantine soon after the big Cunarder Maure-
rania passed up the Narrows. and when she
was reported as passing into Quarantine the
ouartermaster generals cutter, the General
Joseph Z. johnson. came down the East River
and stopped at the Barge Office to get a GUS
toms inspector who TO pass the Secretary S
baggage, which had free entry
the johnson, which had Henry ". Taft and
z large party of friends and guests aboard took
en- Major General Frederick Dent Grant and
started for the President Grant BY the time
she arrived alongside the liner the health officer
had passed her and the Secretary and his party
were quickly transferred to the johnson.
The reporters who went down the bay on the
revenue cutter to meet the Secretary were dis
appointed at this move and asked to come
aboard the johnson. Henry w TAFT SAID they
might come aboard for five minutes only but
could not accompany the Secretary up the bay
10 Jersey City. The boarding officer on the
revenue cutter refused TO comply with the re-
strictions of the Secretary's brother. and no
at the Pennsylvania terminal. The johnson
discharged the baggage at Jersey City and the
Taft party was taken up to 23d street anc the
North River. Manhattan. where Mrs. Taft de-
Parted for the home of Henry W. Taft
When Secretary Taft returned to Jersey City
h spoke briefly OF his trip and posed for many
photographers.
MY trim around the world was made solely
70 visit the Philippines" said Mr.. Taft L went
90 report on conditions there and my visits TO
China. Ja1an and Russia were merely incidental
have been across the Pacific six times, and as
the trip home across Siberia was practically
the same distance took that route for variety
My visits to the Car and the Mikado were IN
40 Nay official. One who goes to the Philip
pines by way OF Japan or China is compelled
By the schedule Of steamers TO remain over for
five or six days. Naturally visited the Mlkado
while was in japan.
Asked about the possibilities OF an estrange-
ment between The United States and Japan and
the chances of a war between these countries
Mr. Taft said: 1t is unreasonable TO talk of
war between the United States and Japan The
conservative people. the majority Of the Japan
csc are not anxious TO have war with us-not
any more than are anxious 10 go TO war
with them. They proud people ano "ah'
The same considerations extended TO them as
are extended TO Europeans My conversation
with the Mikado convinced me that he Is man
OF great ability. This is shown also IN ms Sc
lection Of able men carry out the work Oh
state.
'-Of course there arc some jingo papers IN
Japan which are agitators against peace There
may be few japanese who favor these agita-
tors, but IL there is any war spirit IN Japan
:aied 10 find IT, Throughout the land the tain
Is Of peace
Our trade relations with Japan are extensive
and are increasing rapidly. We get about one
Third Of the s1eeo00.o0e worth of her annual
exports. She sends us largely Of mattings, lace
Anc fancy goods productions in which many
persons interested. and takes from US greal
shipments of -four, oil and other products. and
This sort OF trade relation is great pacIficator
The subject of the fleets departure for the
Pacific suggested to the Secretary and he
WAS asked how the japanese looked upon the
project
He replied: "Thc people OF Japan are toe
hsgh minded and intelligent to attribute any
false motive TO ;hc practice cruise to the Pacific
see no reason why the feet should not be put
through the test OF long cruise which VIII
prove its efficiency almost as thoroughly as Il
Con.inacd o third page.