The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-10-11
DUE TO LEAK.
Cranes Sudden Recall
to Washington Explained.
Secrets of the State Department
Were Given Publicity.
FAR INTO THE NIGHT.
He Was ClOseted With Secretary
Knox and Hoyt.
Told Newspapers His Talk Had
Sanction of Taft.

} Washington, Oct. 11.-Whether o
not Charles r. Crane shall proceet
to Pekin in the capacity of American
, minister to China, seems now to de
pend on the outcome of conference
between Mr.. Crane and Secretary o
State Knox. who unexpectedly anc
rather mysteriously summoned Mr.
Crane from San Francisco to Wash
ington, on the eve of his sailing.
Many indications early today sup
ported the belief that the situation
| in which Mr.. Crane stands is serious
and in quarters presumably well in.
| formed the belief was strengthened
that Mr.. Cranes connection with the
| diplomatic service was in a precarious
| condition.
the matter would not be closed up to-
| day, but might in fact require several
| days for adjustment. From the air
| of intense expectancy which prevail
ed at the state department, however,
| it was evident that any hour might
| bring the situation to a crisis.
Mr.. Crane arrived from San Fran
cisco late yesterday afternoon and
was closeted until far into the night
with Secretary Knox and his special
William M. Hoyt, but nothing anthem
tic was obtainable as to the nature
or results of that conference.
Cause of Recall.
1t is known now that the i'm
mediate occasion for the recall of
Minister Crane was ar article in the
Washington special correspondence
of the Chicago Record-Herald of
September 27, evidencing a somewhat
minute acquaintance with con-
known only by responsible officials in
the state department and presumably
by Minister Crane, relative to the at
titude of the United States govern
ment toward the two treaties re-
Gently concluded between China and
Japan.
That publication was highly OBJ
jectionable to the department of
state in that it disclosed the pos
sibility of protest on the part Of the
United States against the con-
summation of these treaties and it is
known that Secretary Knox and his
associates in the department have
held Minister Crane responsible for
the disclosures.
These treaties, which would prac-
tically confer upon the Japanese a
monopoly of mineral developments of
Manchuria, and would also make
the japanese the virtual dictators of
Chinese railway extensions in Man
churia are regarded by the state de-
partment, it is said. as destructive of
the principle of the "open door"
enunciated by the late Secretary Hay
and subscribed to by Japan in a for
mai agreement with Mr. Root when
the latter was secretary Of state.
Regarded as Unfortunate.
The Chicago publication was regard
ed as particularly unfortunate at this
time because of the purpose of the state
department to have Mr.. Crane take
careful soundings of the feeling enter
tanned among the other foreign min
listers and ambassadors resident in
Pekin before any representations were
made to the japanese government.
Such a course is essential in order to
escape the humiliating consequences
that might be expected to follow pro-
test directed by the state department
to Japan, which would not command
the support of at least majority of
the great powers, other than America
which had accepted Mr. Hays open
door, policy binding upon them.
The great success that has so far at
tended the efforts of America to keep
Manchuria's trade within reach on even
terms of all the powers is ascribed to
the fact that at every stage in the ne
gotiations since the conclusion of the
Observation-Disclosures war, the American
government has freely advised with the
great European powers and indeed with
Japan, insuring thereby a measure of
support for it's propositions that pre-
vented the formation of even minority
party among the powers.
ment has deprived the American minis
ter who is to represent this country at
Pekin of considerable advantage in the
game of diplomacy and it may now be
POSSIBLE for any power to set in motion
machinery that may defeat the whole
project.
So everything is now supposed to de-
pend on whether Mr.. Crane shall acquit
himself of responsibility for the publ
cation.
No Cause for CneaSineSs
Toxic, Oct 11.-Peter A. Jay,
secretary of the American embassy
and charge d'affairs in the abb
sence of Ambassador O'Brien, call
ed at the foreign office today to
pay his respects to Prince Ito,
president of the privy council. who
will leave here Thursday for a
months tour of Manchuria.
After the conference Mr.. Jay an
nounced that he had received unoffi-
cial assurances to the effect that
AmcSica had no right to feel uneasy
regarding Japan's intention of main
tanning the open door policy and
keeping the spirit of the equal oppor-
tunity agreement. 1t had been gener
trip was to enable him to explain Jap
ans Manchurian policy with a first
hand knowledge of the subjects in
volved, but Mr.. Jay was informed that
the tour had no political significance.
HE TALKED TOO MUCH.
Secret of Minister Cranes Recall Be-
comes Public.
Washington, Oct. 11.-Charles r.
Cranes sudden, unexpected and hith-
70 lit ton