The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1908-03-25

and institutions, until even the super
abundant vitality and energy of the
secretary were taxed to the limit in
the tropical climate of Manila So
that various subjects might receive
MS attention Mr.. Taft was compelled
70 extend his stay in Manila nearly d
week. 1t was not until Nov. that the
homeward- bound party steamed past
Corregidor and headed northward for
Vladivostok. aboard the Rainbow,
flagship of Rear Admiral Joseph
Hemphill, and escorted by the cruisers
Galveston and Chattanooga Aides
waited upon Mr.. Taft when the Rain
bow ended her eight day run to Vladi-
vostok on the morning Of Nov. IL.
They acted as his escorts until he de Il
parted for Moscow on the 18th.
Trip Across Siberia.
VladiyOStok was Swarming with
soldiers. martial law prevailing because
of the attempted revolution of a few
days before i'm which the crews of four
torpedo boats mutinied. Most of the
mutineers were shot summarily, or
hanged later. BY reason of the dis
turbed state of the town the secretary
and his party remained aboard the
Rainbow. Eleven days, from the 18th
to the evening of Nov 80, were spent
in continuous travel over the great
Trans Siberian railway to Moscow,
through the waste places and noun
tains Of Manchuria and Mongolia, by
the cold, blue waters of Lake Baikal,
climbing the pine chopped UraIs,
traversing the fertile steppes of West
ern Siberia, the future granary of the
earth, then snow covered for the most
part, and SO into the populous. regions
of Eastern Russia.
Tragic Episode at Moscow.
1t was in Moscow that the secretary
and his companions came to realize
what it means to live under the OPP
pressive shadow of fear, in constant
apprehension of assassination, re-
morseless and unheralded. One night
Mr.. Taft dined with Herschelmann, the
governor general of Moscow, proceed
ing directly from the table to the train
for st. Petersburg. Before noon the
Iext day the secretary's host was made
the target of a bomb, which destroyed
his horses and the sleigh in which he
was riding, killing his coachman, but
sparing the governor general. The
American colony in Moscow were the
hosts of Secretary and Mrs. Taft. A
special performance was given for
them i'm the court theater and varied
and elaborate courtesies lavished upon
them. One morning was devoted to an
inspection of the Kremlin and its won
derful treasures of historical as well as
of intrinsic worth. Through the low
groined vault-like apartments in the
ancient citadel the secretary roamed,
pausing by the bed of Peter the Great,
the travelling sledge of Catherine, lift
ing the battle swords and armor of the
famous soldier potentates of the realm
and inscribing his autograph in the
visitors book kept to record only the
signatures of sovereigns, princes and
men and women of rank or of deeds of
accomplishment.
Shows Taft's Kindly Nature.
1t was here that an incident oc-
CURED which displayed an insight into
the kindly nature Of Mr.. Taft of the
human interest side Of the man. Stand
ing somewhat in the shadow as the
to another was a member of the pal
ace guard, a time blasted soldier with
a, gray beard that swept his breast
Upon his tunic were pinned medals for
service and valor, a dozen of them. The
gray cloth of the left sleeve of his uni
form was nearly covered from shoulder
to cuff with service stripes of gold
braid. The soldier was very old. His
eyes were filmy, but he stood rigidly
and straightly at salute. Through an
interpreter the secretary questioned
him:
Touches Old Veterans Heart.
How long have you been i'm the
service?''
Forty eight years, excellency.'
How old are your
"Seventy-five, excellency."
You have been wounded"
Seven times, excellency; four times
by bullets three by saber."
The secretary offered his hand. The
old man lifted his shoulders a trif1e,
but did not bring his left palm from
his cap or thrust out his right.
1T is against the regulations excel
lency," he answered in Russian, apollo
SctlCdly
Tell him that if his officer will per-
NIT it. l should like to shake hands
with him." said the secretary. The
officer granted permission and the old
man, tears Of pride Frightening for a
moment his dim, cloudy eyes, laid his
hand within that of the secretary. The
secretary wished him long life and
told him good-by, passing on, while
the veteran clicked his heels together
proudly, if slowly, and with his lean,
trembling fingers touched his caps vi
sor.
Short Stay in ST. Petersburg.
ST. Petersburg held the party only
two days, the last entertainments COM
prising dinner by the Americans in
the city and dinner and reception
by the minister of foreign affairs. Ber-
lin was reached on the evening OF
Dec. s, where the secretary dined
with Ambassador Tower and later at