The Washington herald., 1907-10-31
TAFT CHANGES PLANS
Announces He Will Follow
Original Itinerary.
WILL MISS GERMAN EMPEROR
Modified Arrangements Provided for
Meeting with Kaiser I'm Berlin.
Hints at Secret correspondence and
Orders from PresIdent-Secretary
Expected Home on Schedule Time.

For some mysterious reason Secretary
Taft has again changed the itinerary Of
his homeward journey from the Philip
pines. and will adhere more closely to his
original schedule, which will enable him
to reach the United States along about
December 10. instead Of a week later.
From all that can be learned here, the
Secretary's change Of programme was
necessitated by considerations affecting
his proposed visit to Berlin, where he was
TO see the German Emperor. The original
itinerary was modified after Mr. Taft
reached Manila in order that his presence
in Berlin might it with the Emperor s
plans.
1t was said at the White House yester-
day afternoon that the President would
not discuss the reasons for Mr.. Tafts
decision 20 leave the Philippines earlier
than the modified itinerary had called for.
Other officials expressed ignorance OF the
change IN Mr.. Tafts plans. It Is known
that President Roosevelt and MT Taft
have been in correspondence by telegraph
since Mr.. Tafts arrival in Manila, and
DDNAA A4AN lAAnl tllHlEt III AtAE pN4klAdA
itinerary and the subsequent decision to
adhere more closely 10 that schedule are
understood TO have resulted from their
exchange OF views.
MOdifies His Itinerary.
When Mr.. TAFT left Washington IL was
intended that upon his return journey to
the United States he should sail from
Manila for Vladivostok on November 1.
Last week the itinerary was modified so
as 10 give him five days longer IN the
Philippines, and delay him that length Of
time In his arrival al each Of the places
he is TO visit in his homeward progress.
In well-informed circles here the change
is said TO have been due to the fact that
Emperor William would be IN England on
November % the date fixed for Mr.. Taft's
arrival IN Berlin, and il was necessary
for the Secretary Of War 10 await the
EmperOrs return there For that reason.
II was explained. he had arranged To get
to Berlin about a week after the original
date, when the Emperor would be back.
Reason a Mystery.
But just why Mr. Taft is to cancel the
modified programme is not disclosed.
Under the new arrangement he will yet
to Berlin about the time originally set.
probably two days earlier, as he is TO sail
from Manila it is understood. on No
vember ?, instead Of November 4. as the
first itinerary provided, and will be able.
II is supposed, 10 gain two days on the
first itinerary throughout his Journey
across Siberia and the continent Of Eu-
rope
one surmise is that the President wants
Mr.. Taft 20 be present at the Thanksgiv-
ing Day celebration in Berlin. on Nover1-
Der y in order that he may have an
appropriate opportunity OF expressing
some important views that Will be OF
particular interest 60 Germany and Amer
ica- But this is only surmise. and does
not explain why the arrangement for Mr..
Iafts presence in Berlin when the EN-
peror is there has been changed so as 70
apparently prevent the Emperor and Mr..
Taft from seeing each other.
Hints Ht correspondence.
For many weeks there have been
rumors In Washington that the present
state Of good feeling between the German
and the American governments had been
the outcome Of some pleasant informal
exchanges, Then came the rumor. prompt
~ denied in Berlin that Germany would
send squadron Of war ships TO visit
the waters of the United States As a
mark Of friendship and good will. More
recently there has been gossip that Presi-
dent Roosevelt and Emperor William
have been engaged in friendly personal
correspondence. but rJthing has appeared
10 indicate that this is true
Unofficial observers here were expecting
much from Mr. Taft's visit to the Ger
man Emperor, and it will be a great sur
prise TO them il MT. Tafrs itinerary has
been so modified that he will pass through
Berlin without seeing the sovereign.