Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1909-10-15

the recent agreements between China and
Japan in relation to Manchuria from such
data bearing upon the situation it was
able to secure with a view of determining
whether there is anything in the agreemen Is
adversely affecting American interests or III
conflict with the principle of equal oppor-
study not yet concluded and in respect to
which 10 decision has been reached While
this investigation was proceeding, Mr.,
department and while there was Informed
by one of the clerks that such an eXamlna-
ton was being made.
Without consultation with the acting sec
rotary or any other responsible officer OF
the department and without the knowledge
or authority of any one connected with the
department. Mr.. Crane gave out news
paper story to the effect that this govern
mtnt was preparing to protest against some
features of the agreements and that the
promulgation of the protest only aW TnnInH
late it. The story appeared i'll western
paper and at the same time or day later
in the Japanese press and subsequent was
generally published.
Minister Is Recalled.
Such were the representations made to me
October l by the responsible officers OF the
department of state. accompanied by thelr
statement that they had sufficient reason
to believe them to be true Whereupon
Sent MIR Crane at San Francisco the fol
lowing telegram, dated October 3, 1903;
You have been charged with the respon-
ElnllltV Tor the CdnaEuS recently dPpS'l Al s
in the Japanese and American press to the
effect that the United States is preparing 10
protest against the Chinese-Japanese agree
ment. The evidence that YOU are response
BILE for this is of such character as war
rants me in directing you to come to WASH
ington at once and meet 1T. II you are not
responsible. as | hope you are not, matters
relating to Oriental affairs have developed
since you left Washington to make II ad-
yiSable for me 20 communicate with you
personally and in the utmost confidence III
relation thereto
At conference with Mr.. Crane Sunday
evening, he admitted having an indiscreet
talk with a reporter which resulted in the
publications referred to, and, assuming re-
sponsibiity, stated that if the indiscretfon
was grave enough to shake my confidence
in his usefulness he would willingly resign.
! have reluctantly reached the conclusion
that the good of the service demands that
: should inform Mr. Crane that his resigna'
ton will be accepted, ana nave uohe So
Cranes Friends Talk.
Friends of Mr.. Crane have made the
statement here during the progress OF
the developments since he arrived mere
on Sunday afternoon that he had felt
justified in his public utterances by re-
marks which had been made to him per-
sonally by President Taft himself. Hav-
ing reference to these statements. 1t was
said this afternoon in an authoritative
quarter. that the department felt assured
that nothing Mr.. Taft might ever have
said to Mr.. Crane could be claimed to
justify the disclosures for which the
present action was taken. And the same
authority declared that undoubtedly Mr..
Crane had greatly embarrassed the stu
alton by denying, several times, while en-
route from San Francisco, that he knew
why he had been recalled.
There was absolutely no doubt, it was
declared, that Mr.. Knox had the entire
approval of the President in the action.
Mr.. Crane after receiving Secretary
Knox's letter calling for his resignation
was shown u copy of Mr.. Knox's state
ment and read it attentively. Returning
the paper to the reporter who brought
1t, he remarked that the matter was one
too serious to be discussed offhand but
promised an interview later in the day