The Ogden standard. [volume] (Ogden City, Utah) 1902-1910, 1909-10-12
Minister to China Disclosed Secrets of State
Department Which Embarrassed the Govern
neutrality-suspicious. OyerOpenDoor in(hina

Washington, Oct. 12.-Sccretary OF
State Knox early this afternoon in.
formed Charles r Crane, minister
designate to China, that he would ac.
cent ais resignation.
Mr.. Crane had already advised tho
secretary that he was prepared TO re-
sign If the recent developments had
made bis further service In that posi-.
tion embarrassing TO the department.
Mr.. Knox has advised President
TAFT Of his action.
Should Mr.. Crane decide 10 accede
10 the secretarys suggestion, which ia
taken for granted he will do promptly,
his resignation will. In the nature of
the case, be addressed not 10 the
stale department. but TO the president
who appointed him.
1t was stated at the state depart
mont that Mr.. Knox would return this
afternoon TO his home at Valley
Forge.
Ny Crane said he nad not seen the
statement given out 10 the press at
The state department. and declined 10
lax for publication until he could
1ead this statement
Mir. Crane, after receiving Secretary
kncN's letter. calling for his reslgna-
lion. was shown copy of Mr.. Knox's
statement and read 1t attentiyely Re-
turning the paper To the reporter who
bTough, II, be remarked that the mat
N hn al
oT-hand. but promised an interview
later in the day,
In announcing his action, Mt Knox
Gave out the following statement, add
ing that he would have nothing TO add
TO It:
The department of state mas been
engaged for some time I'm making tho
usual study of the recent agreements
between China and Japan in relation
10 Manchurla from such data bearing
upon the situation as ] was able 10
secure, with a view TO determining
whether there was anything in the
agreements adversely affecting Amcri-
can interests or In conflict with the
principle of equal opportunities. to
which the powers are pledged; q
study not yet concluded and In respect
10 which no decision has been reached
While this investigation was pro-
cceding. Mr. Crane, the minister TO
China, came TO the department and.
while there, was Informed by one of
the clerks that such an examination
was being made. Without consulta-
ton with the acting secretary or any
other responsible officer OF the depart.
ment and without the knowledge or
authority of any one connected with
the department, Mr.. Crane gave out
newspaper story to the effect that the
government was preparing TO protest
against some features of the agree
ments, and that the promulgation of
the protest also awaited the return OF
an official VINO was TO formulate 1t.
The story appeared In western
paper. and at the same time. OF little
later, In the Japanese press. and sub
sequently was generally published.
Such were the representations
made 10 me October | by the respon-
sibie officers Of the department Of
state, accompanied by their statement
that they had sufficient reasons TO be-
lieye them TO be true Thereupon I
sent Mr. Crane at San Francisco the
following telegram. dated October 8,
1900:
You nave been charged With the
responsibility for the remarks recently
appearing in the japanese press 10
the effect that the United States Is
preparing 10 protest against the Chl-
neSe,JapaneSe agreement Inc cYl"
jcnce that you are responsible Tor
Ibis is of such character as warrants
me In directing you TO come TO WASH
ington at once and meet IT, II YOU
are not responsible, as / hope you are
not. matters relating TO Oriental al
fairs have developed since you lett
Washington 10 make II advisable Tor
me to communicate with you person
ally and in the utmost confidence In
relation thereto
al a conference with Mr.. Crane
Sunday evening he admitted naVpng
an indlscreet talk with a reporter
which resulted I'm the publications re
fcrrcd to, and. assuming responsiolii'
ty. stated that II tho indiscretion was
ernye enough TO shake my CONFIDENCE
I'm his usefulness, ne would WILLINGLY
resign. | have reluctantly reached
the conclusion that the good oi tne
service demands that ] should INFORM
Mr.. Crime that his resignation VIII De
accepted, and ] have done so.
Friends OF Mr. Crane have meds
tho statement here, during the prog
ress OF the developments since he az
rived here on sunday afternoon. tne
|. ne had felt justified In his puDiic III
terauces by remarks which haa pee,
made to him personally by Presioen'
Taft himself Having reference !,
these statements. II was said this Al
ternoon In an authoritative qnorte.
that tho department felt assured I'm
nothing Mr.. Taft might ever have sais
TO MIR. Crane could be claimed 10 Jus
'ify the disclosures Tor which tnc PIe7
cnt action was taken.
And the same authority dcclarc'