Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1907-12-07


st. Petersburg, Russia.-Secretary
Taft and his party left here at an ear
ly hour Wednesday on special train
for Tsarskoe-Selo, where they were
met by a state equipage and driven
direct to the so-cRlled Little Palace"
the residence OF the emperor, and es-
corted through the palace with the us
ual ceremonial.
Secretary Taft was received by his
majesty in his private study and spent
nearly an hour in conversation. The
emperor discussed military topics at
considerable length. He questioned
Mr.. Taft concerning his journey over
the TransSiberian railroad.
His majesty showed a keen interest
in the problems which the American
government has to solve in the Phil
ippine islands. Brig. Gen. Edwards a
member of the party, was presented
separa ely to his majesty after the sec
retary had retired.
The party then went to the riding
school, where the Semenovsky regi-
ment, 1900 strong, and accompanied by
a machine gun battery and several
other detachments. were drawn up.
The emperor and Secretary Taft were
received with cheers. Then the EN-.
peror and his guests accompanied by
their respective staffs, walked together
through the lines of the regiment and
inspected its formation. Then the host
m 10
for luncheon.
Secretary Taft was seated at the
right of the emperor and Brig. Gen.
Edwards was at the right of Gen. Bar
on Fredericks, minister of the imper-
ial house. During the luncheon EN-
peror Nicholas toasted the Semonov-
sky regiment and thanked the officers
for their loyal services in recent try
ing times.
At night Secretary Taft and the
members of his party were entertained
at dinner by Foreign Minister Iswol-
sky here. There were present also
Premier Stolypin, Minister of Finance
Kokovsoff, War Minister Gen. Rudi-
ger, Lieut.. Gen. Balatzyn, chief of the
general staff, and the most promin-
ent officials of the foreign Office Pro-
vision was made for "a. The occasion
was marked by great cordiality and the
exchange Of mutual hopes that the
bonds of friendship between the two
countries would be strengthened.
In proposing the health of the secre-
tary and Mrs. Taft and the distin-
guished party accompanying them, the
Russian foreign minister said that 1t
was a keen pleasure to welcome one
Of the leading statesmen of the great
northern republic He was afraid that
the great speed with which Secretary
Taft had travelled the entire breadth of
the empire had enabled him to obtain
only a bird's-eye view Of 1t yet
he hoped the secretary had
gathered conviction that the
sympathies Of the Russian peo-
pie for America were as warm as
ever, conviction which when con-
veyed by him to his fellow country.
men would surely strengthen the his
toric friendship and mutual respect of
Russia and America.
Secretary Taft expressed his thanks
for the cordial welcome he had re-
ceived across the empire from Vladi-
vostok to st. Petersburg, and from
the emperor and the military and civil
officers. The great impression he had
had of Siberia and other parts Of Rus
sia helped him to understand the diff
ficult problems presented, and the Am
erican people, he said, were profound
ly interested in the successful work.
ing out of these problems so as to
rebound to the honor Of the Russian
government and the happiness and
prosperity of the people. The tradi-
tional friendship for Russia had been
cherished by Americans since the civil
war, and he was glad to carry to them
the message Of good will that had
fallen from the lips of his host.
Mrs. Taft has just learned of the
Serious illness Of Mr.. Taft's mother
and decided to abandon her European
trip and return with the secretary OH
the steamer President Grant.