New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-04-23
MR.. TAFT GETS BACK.
SILENT ON POLITICS.
Cuban Situation Good, He Says
Dam Sites Satisfactory.

party arrived at the Washington Navy Yard on
board the MayAower tonight after an absence
OF a month on a trip that included Panama
Cuba and Porto Rico. The Secretary and Mrs.
Taft were Immediately driven to their home.
Beekman Winthrop. Ex-Governor Of Porto
Rico. and Mrs. Winthrop were guests OF the
Secretary the return trip. The others in the
party included Representatives Burton. of Ohio.
and De Armond of Missouri, Senator Kittredge.
Of South Dakota, and Miss Nargare Ide
The Mayflower VIII at once be put in readi-
ness 10 take the President 10 the opening of
the jamestown Exposition.
Secretary Taft gave out the following state
ment. reviewing his trip and telling his plans
for the immediate future:
We left Washington on March 23 and reached
Charleston. s c. on March "a where we took
the MayhoNer and went thence directly TO the
isthmus. reaching Colon on the following Sat
urday March 80. We spent Saturday, Sunday,
Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday on the 18TH
mus. The test pits had been sunk on the pro-
posed sites of the locks and the engineers,
Messrs- Noble, SteaTns and Freeman. made their
examination iheY informally reported 10 me
that the foundations We're entirely satisfactory.
but they expect 10 make formal written re-
port. l also. al the request of Colonel Goethals.
requested them 10 answer certain technical
questions TO the best means of constructing
the dams both at Gatun and at Sosa
held long conference with the Panama
authorities. In the presence Of Senator Kit
fredge. Of the Canal Committee Of the Senate.
matters which needed adjustment between the
zone authorities and the Panama government.
and We tentatively reached a satisfactory agree
ment which viii be formulated IN subsequent
correspondence.
also heard certain complaints concerning the
dealing of the Panama Railroad with its lots in
Colon. and took the matter under consideration,
awaiting a fuller statement Of the details 10 be
made by the lot holders
also heard the applications Of the steam
shovelnen and the construction locomotive en-
gineers and construction train conductors. with
reference TO their terms of employment, includ-
ing wages. have forwarded a report on this
matter 10 the president. What has happened
.n respect 10 this do not know We We're very
busy during the FIVE days spent in Panama
I left the engineers and Mr- Rogers, general
counsel Of the Isthmian Canal Commission. on
the isthmus-the engineers for the purpose OF
making further report upon the technical ques-
tons which I referred to them. and Mr.. Rogers
for the purpose of pushing some condemnation
litigation to acquire title 10 land which il now,
in the progress Of the work, becomes necessary
for TO take over.
] found Mr. stevens on the isthmus and also
Colonel Goethals, Majors Sibert and Gaillard
and Admiral Rousseau. Mr.. Stevens is very
much out of health and needs a long rest. de
has brought to an efficient state great organ
ization which is doing the work and making
the dirt fly And he has done his utmost to
transfer this organization in its efficient condi-
tiOn 20 the control OF Colonel Goethals and his
associates.
CONDITIONS N CUBA.
We left Colon on wednesday. April 3. and
reached Havana on Sunday, April z spent
Euno8y. Monday, TUESDAY ana wednesday IN
Havana conferring with Governor Magoon, Colo,
mel CTOwdeT. Consul General Sieinhart ana
others and also with the representatives OF the
various political organizations and business as
sociations and prominent people of Havana
! found matters in what, under the circum-
stances must be considered a satisfactory con-
clifton, and this is largely due to the hard work
and political capacity and level headedness
Of Governor MagOon. The result was that the
conclusion vas n eject one upon which SUD-
Etantaliy all parties n interest agreed. There
are certain Questior5 that were submitted by
Governor Magoon ana discussed Whlch a"al-
decision by the President or by the department
after my return
General Barry and Governor Magoon both re-
ported that the order in the island is excellent,
and while there is stil good deal OF sup
pressed political feeling and excitement, think
there is every ground for hope that the plan
adopted Of taking census and holding pre-
hminary election, and then a general election
six months later will result in the selection of
q President and Congress who will be able
10 maintain themselves and give a stable rule
10 the island.
The delay in taking a census and holding
preliminary election are taken by the people OF
the island not indication that the Ameri-
can government wishes 10 remain permanently,
oui' on lhe contrary as an earnest OF rs oeslre
10 secure a stable government before il leaves.
50 that there shall be no excuse for a second
intervention with all the consequences that
might be likely 10 flow from such an interven-
tion. Cuba win have the largest sugar crop III
her history, and the tobacco crop is one of the
best she has ever had. There has been long
drouth, and that. taken with the disturbance
Of The insurrection, has interfered somewhat
with The sugar planting. but all are quite hope
ful that this defect viii be repaired.
VISIT TO PORTO RICO.
We left Havana midnight Of Wednesday. April
10, and reached Porto Rico on Sunday. April IA.
We spent four days in the island and had there
70 consider, at the instance Of Bishop Jones Of
Porto Rico, some questions which are still pend
ing Of property between the government and the
Church and also some military questions as 10
the abandonment of certain posts in the interior
and the abandonment Of the civil government Of
some property in San Juan now used as hos
pital for the army.
We crossed the island 70 Ponce by one route
and returned by another. We attended the in
auguratiOn Of Governor Post and then brought
away with Governor and Mrs. Winthrop and
Miss Taft and Miss Ide. who were visiting them.
ON every side found evidences of most en-
coursging prosperity and also the strongest in
olcations OF the love and respect which the peo-
pie fec for Governor and Mrs Winthrop and Of
the great sorrow they have in losing them. The
expressions Of regret at their departure, which
could not have been more demonstrative and
sincere. reflect the highest credit on Governor
Winthrop's conduct OF affairs In the island.
Two political questions that made the sub
ject OF frequent discussion, for lack Of some
thing else in the present happy condition Of the
people, are the question Of citizenship and the
question whether the executive council shall be
elective.
We had a very smooth passage from Porto
Rico 10 the Chesapeake Bay. and, indeed, very
little rough weather at any time during the trip
Our party has consisted OF Senator kittredge
who is doubtless 10 be the chairman OF the Sen
ate Canal Committee; Mr. Burton, chairman Of
the Rivers and HarbOrs Committee OF the House
of Representatives: Judge De Armond OF the
House Of Representatives. and Mr.. Mischler, my
private secretary. We have been away month
have only very indefinite knowledge OF what
has taken place in this country since my de-
parture, and therefore have nothing TO say on
the subject Of politics.
/ shall be in Washington until the 26th, when
go 10 Cincinnati to attend meeting OF the
Western Federation Of Yale Clubs Of which I
am the president, having been elected last year
al St Louis-an engagement OF some four