The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1909-10-12
TO-DAY TO DECIDE,
MINISTER'S FATE
Whether Not Charles R. Crane Will Represent the
United States in the Chinese Empire Will Probably
Be Decided Before the Sunset Today--May
Have Talked Too Much

Washington. oct. 1l.-Tomorrow
probably will see the determination of
the question whether Charles Il.
Crane will be requested to resign his
recently acquired office of minister
to China or will be permitted to re-
sumo in that capacity, the journey To
Peking. He was almost in the act
of starting from san Francisco when
summoned by Secretary Knox to re-
turn to Washington and explain his
alleged responsibility for the disclos-
ure. in u newspaper dispatch, of con-
fidential information about the atti-
tude of the United States toward the
new treaties between China and
Japan.
Silence surrounded the situation to-
day. Secretary Knox was inacces-
sible and other state department Off
cials disclaimed any knowledge of the
state of affairs and Mr.. Crane would
not discuss the matter. Notwithstand-
ing the general expectation that he
would have a decisive conference at
noon with the secretary he did not
call at the department. nor SO far as
can be learned did he have any con-
ference with Mr.. Knox at his home.
1t came at last to be believed that the
whole business has been referred to
President Taft. 1t was supposed that
kilograms had been sent to the presi-
dent last night after the extended
conference at Secretary knox's house
which followed upon Mr.. Cranes ar
rival here from san Francisco. 1t
is assumed Mr.. Knox informed the
president of all the material facts in
h.r. Cranes case. together with his
own views upon the subject.
None Expected.
All indications tonight point in this
direction and no Developments are ex-
pected pending adrices from the presi
dent The interview last night in
which participated Mr.. Knox and Mr..
Hnyt, special counsel Of the de-art-
ment, is believed To have resulted ii.
clear understanding with respect 10
Mr.. Cranes connection with the pub
lication whose disclosures the state
department officials so strongly dep
recated. There remains apparently
the question whether Mr.. Cranes dip
lomatic discretion has suffered 81
great an injury in the estimation OF
the officials under whom his delicate
mission at Peking would be performed
as to destroy his usefulness there.
There is. of course. much discus
sion here incidental 70 the Crane af-
fair. regarding the possible effect up
on the relations especially of the
United States and Japan, of the pre-
mature announcement of a possible
protest of this government against the
material concessions which in the new
treaties China has given to Japan in
Manchuria.
No Conflict.
Students of the situation pointed out
that there would arise no conflict
with Japtn in this matter. since there
was no thought of any protest by
the United States alone; If made nj
all it would be in conjunction with
the other leading powers interested in
the Chinese future. In such an event
ii would be unlikely. they argued.
that China would be adverse TO re-
casting the treaties in the direction OF
greater liberty for herself. As for
Japan. she could hardly afford to re-
sist a united representation on the
part of a member of the great powers
to the effect that these treaties car
ried with them violation of her Own
pledges embodied in the treaty al
Portsmouth.
The matter is generally regarded as
one chiefly personal to Mr.. Crane
and embodying almost exclusively the
question whether he has exhibited a
lack of discretion which in the eyes nj
the diplomatic world is a first es-
sential in the representative of a
great government in China.
t-Si
A Sensation.