Arizona republican., 1909-10-15
PHOENIX. ARIZ.. OCTOBER 15, 1909
Shirt Sleeve Diplomacy.

ShIt Sleeve Diplomacy.
 The Hon. Charles R. Crane like Marc Antony, is "a plain, blunt man." Believing that the state de- partment has not been fair with him, he does not hesitate to say so in straight Chicago language. And how ever inexcusable may have been the break made by our new minister to China in talking to a newspaper re- porter about the delicacy of our re- lations with Japan in the matter of the Manchurian question, there will be a general disposition to forgive him for talking back" and giving his side of the business in reply to the dressing down which he has received publicly from the state department.
 Unless President Taft turns down the secretary of state, MT. Crane has lost his job, so the only satisfaction he can get out of an unpleasant state Of affairs will be that of defending himself to his fellow citizens. Tech nically, at least, he was still in the diplomatic service when his statement was made, hence he violated all tra- ditiOns by saying anything in reply to the attack made upon him in the press by Secretary Knox. But MT. Crane naturally values his own repu- tation. and it is not to be wondered at, being a Chicago business man, rather than a trained diplomat, that he should deal with the whole matter with shirt sleeve diplomacy"
 Just before President Taft reached Arizona, Mir. Crane sent him this telegram:
 The state department objects to certain things I have done in the eff fort to carry out my understanding of your wishes as expressed by you to me. I have carefully considered the entire matter. In my judgment no mistake has been made except as the department has made it a mistake. However, I did not and cannot guar antee to make no mistakes, and espec- ially unless I have the cordial support and cooperation of the government.
 The manner in which the depart ment has proceeded and is proceeding is inconsistent with my own self-re- spect and my conception of the dig nity of the position. and with the un derstanding upon which I accepted. gl I have received from you, and under all the circumstances have decided to await information as to your wishes before taking action. You will under stand, of course, that my resignation is in your hands"
 Making the foregoing telegram pub lie. MT. Crane proceeds to explain:
 The statement of the department is inaccurate in saying that I gave out a newspaper story about the prep aration of a protest in regard to the agreement between China and Japan. It would have been more accurate if the department had said. as was in dicated in its own closing paragraph. that a brief conversation of mine with a newspaper representative contribut- ed to the publication by him of a discussion Of this agreement, and the possibility of a protest by this govern ment and that the department regard ed this conversation as 'indiscreet.'
 The publication did not mention my name. nor in my judgment would it have been a mistake if the depart ment of state had not chosen to vouch for it's accuracy, and give to it an official significance by its own conduct.
 It certainly contained nothing of substance that was not matter of common knowledge or deducible by any competent newspaper reporter from facts commonly known. The substance of the agreement had been published and its effect had been widely discussed.
 Tn order to understand how this matter came to be mentioned. it is necessary to make a brief explana- tion. When I accepted the appoint ment of minister to China, at the re- quest of the president. he expressed the earnest wish that the people of this country should be reused to a keen interest in the Pacific situation, both commercially and politically; and he felt that our greatest problem lay there. and that our people were not fully awake to its importance.
 As I stated in a public address in Chicago. on September IA. the presi dent advised me to accept all avail able invitations to public meetings and dinners and said: Do not miss any of them. and when you go to one. insist on speaking and let them have it red hot
 T assumed that the president wished me to discuss realities and not plati- tudes. I have not had experience as a public speaker. and it was, and is, a difficult role, but I have done my