The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-12-31

From The Journal Bureau, Room As, Post Build
ing, Washington. e. 49,. 3d.. III . -.
; Washington, Dec. 31.-Formal charges
against Consul General John Goodnow
have reached the state departm emit
T through Minister :Conger at Picking, to
whom they were forwarded by the Ameri-
can Association at Shanghai. They are
very voluninous and indicate unmis-
takably that the relations between Mr..
| Goodnow and the Americans resident at
Shanghai are severely strained. It Is
said. here that Goodnows has been dis
missed from the American Gentleman
Club there. ...-- .t,.T.
! 1t is not yet determined what will be
done with the charges, but it Is probable
| that they will be referred to Minister
Conger at Picking, with instructions to
him to make a thorough investigation and
report at the earliest possible time.
Should this course be pursued, nothing
definite will come to light for several
| months.
It seems now to be the intention Of the
state department to go to the bottom Of
the matter. Heretofore a number of
charges Of a minor character have been
made against Mr.. Goodnow, but they have
not been serious enough to warrant in
vestfgation. < ~:
Some Of the charges contained in the
present list were made a. year or two
u
part Of the American Association of how
! to present them properly, they failed to
accomplish anything. This time they are
renewed in a formal manner through the
American minister in China, and the de-
partment no longer has any excuse Tor
| ignoring them, nor does it care to do so,
as in their present form they are very
serious. .-.,- s-a.. s.,$ n
+. In a general way, Mr.. Goodnow is
| charged with various crimes of corruption,
| including the reception of brides, accept
ance of pay for services which should
| have been rendered gratis, and the max
ing Of touches whenever opportunity
for doing so could be found. ~
Accompanying the charge is an affidavit
from Goodnow denying in toto every alIe-
cation. The question, therefore, be-
comes more. Of fact and can be disclosed
only through an investigation at Shang-
hal by the American minister.
The American association at Shanghai
is saids to represent a. very fine type Of
citizenship. Most Of its members are
business men of means and wide expert
! ence, and considerable culture. The
charges states that the members OF the
association join in the charges and ask
for Goodnow's removal.
conger UnfrlendIy to Goodnow.
Minister Conger is known here to be
unfriendly to Goodnow, and 1t is assumed
IIldt 3No Will HOC give Alnl the Denent OF
any doubts.
When the charges began to be heard
several years ago, Mr.. Conger was active
in pushing them, although standing under
cover as much as possible, because of his
fear of Goodnow's political backing.
When In washington last summer, Mr..
Conger expressed himself freely regarding
Goodnow and his conduct of the Shanghai
consulate, and made it clear that he took
a good deal Of stock in the charges.
With the death of President Mckinley
it is probable Goodnow has lost his best
friend. President Roosevelt has strict
ideas regarding how American consular
officers should behave, and there would
be no reason why he should shield Mr..
Goodnow in the event that congress should
report the charges well founded
It Is possible that Mr.. Goodnow may
protest against an investigation by Min
lister Conger on the ground Of prejudice.
Independently OF whether Goodnow was
guilty In the whole or part as charged,
1t is very clear that he has not acted in
a tactful manner. SO far as his fellow
countrymen at Shanghai are concerned.
The united opposition of these men, with
a request that he be removed, might OF
itself be sufficient to cause his removal or
transfer, even If no charges Of mall
feasance in office accompanied it.
President Roosevelt is disposed to
strengthen the consular service wherever
0ossibIe and to hold consuls to stricter