The Washburn leader., 1907-10-18
70 :. IG n
Japan's Welcome to TAFT.

Japan's N!e!oome to TAFT.
Secretary Taft and family arrived q,
Yokohama on the steamer vMinneSOt:'
Sept. IS and upon landing found tht
city draped ieh American and .Japl
nese colors intertwire>. aud the i1.i.e
rial carriages In wai.il.g. With hin
was the new American ambassador to
Japan, .homas C'Brien. The local
newspapers Published eXienied intei
views With the A...eri,an .ecretury, III
which he expressed the opinion that
the Unitel S,a.es and Japan " oulu al
ways rc.nai, friends. lie said lie spo-se
not merely as the secretary OF war. Lat
also as the secretary OF peace" All OF
the papers published coi,....l editorials
of welcome The Eiait party was ell.
tertainel by Foreign ::lister Ha. us....1
at luncheon. and at night the muni,i.
pality gave Il dinner in Taft's hono..
Mr.. TAFT expressed him.: elf us greatly
delighted with the cori.ia.ity Of his re
ception and with the en.lilsi.s-n
aro;:sel by his speech at the dinner of
the municipality.
In this he declared that war between
the two countries would he u crime
against civilization. He told the Japa.
ne:e that. no ma Ter what the reports
might be. tie world would have conf.
dence that the Japaneac government
through lrince Ito, WAS pursuing u
policy in Korea VI iich will make foi
justice and civilization. In regard to
the sale Of the Philippines Taft spot:e
frankly saying that the u:sseStion was
absurd. Hc said that Japan Gid not
want the Philippines. as she hal prob
lens of the same nature nearer home.
and that the United States could not
sell the islanls to another power with.
out the grossest violation of it's obliga.
tions to the Philippine people. The
city Of Yokohama presented u silver
service to Mrs. Taft. After this speech
many leading statesmen said that II
should end all talk or fear of war on
the part OF the japanese people.
Later the secretary had private au-
dience with the emperor of Japan in
his palace. he emperor and the Sec
retary talked With the aid, OF all inter-
prefer for ten minutes in Il confidential
way. At the same time Mrs. Taft was
received by the empress. Reciprocal
expressions Of friendship We're made.
Later Mr. and Mrs. Taft We're enter
tanned at luncheon by the mikado and
his wife. The mi..ado sail he liked
America and admired Roo:evelt.
Rsi.wcy Strike Ties C2 Havana.
The business of Havana. Cuba. bas
been paral,zed by one of the greatest
strikes in her history. being caused ~
thu w:,!koat of the engine drivers on
the railway lines lending out of t!l.
city. Their grievance is that they are
paid in Spanish and not American
money. 1t Las been almost impossible
to move any trains. as the men EN-
ployad to take the places of the strik-
ers are afraid to work, although pro.
tectet by the police.
No c2aniare.s For Panama.
The Spanish minister of the interior,
Cierva. has caused to be posted
throughout the provinces of Spain no.
tees warning emigrants against going
to Panama to work on the canal. set.
ting forth the danger of the climate
and the large death rate The govern
mert Claims to have proof that labor
ers on the canal are grossly deceived
by recruiting agents and are COM
peeled to live under abominable condi-
tons. The complaints. however, are
said to be traceable to Spanish land
lords. who find their laborers lured
away by prospects of better wages.
Mexico Welcomes Root.
Secretary of State Root. who arrived
at the City of Mexico last week. was
given hearty reception by the people
as well Us by the officials of the Mex
ican government. President DiaZ.
with all the members Of the Mexican
cabinet present. received Mr.. Root in
the hall CT ambassadors in the national
palace. Mr.. Root expressed himself
as delighted to meet the man who had
maee Mexico one Of the foremost Of
Latin American countries. and lie hop
ed for.a continuance of the good re-
suits arising from the cordial relations
between the United States and Me1i-
co. President Diaz in reply said that
Mr.. Roots Jealous work for better,
understanding between the United
Etates and Latin America was well
known and duly appreciated. and he
welcomed the secretary in the name
of the Mexican nation.