Los Angeles herald., 1909-10-11
CRANES RECALL
MAY RESULT IN
Ills DISMISSAL
NEW MINISTER TO CHINA IS
FACING ,REPRIMAND
SPEECH AT CHICAGO DECLARED
TO BE UNDIPLoMATIc
Report in Washington Is That En-
voy's Alleged lndiscreet Utter
ances Compromise Relations
as to Treaty Rights
GRy Associated Press. ]

W pected and hitherto mysterious
recall to Washington by Secretary OF
State Knox when he was at the point
of sailing from San Francisco to as
sumo his duties as minister of the Unit
ed States to China, was occasioned by
developments involving the question of
Mr.. Cranes fitness for that post.
This much is known tonight in well
informed quarters in Washington: I'm
less Mr.. Crane Is able to clear him
self in the eyes of Secretary Knox Of
an accusation of a serious breach OF
what the state department regards as
the first principle of diplomatic dis
cretion, the conference with his official
chief may result in the abrupt termina-
ton of Mr.. Cranes connection with
the diplomatic service.
Minister Crane arrived in Washington
late this afternoon, from his hurried
journey across the continent, reiterated
his declaration of ignorance as to the
occasion of his rather dramatic recall
and declined to discuss the matter.
He said he had reserved new ac-
commodations for the trans-Pacific voy-
age on the steamer sailing from San
Francisco on October 20.
Evidence in Hand
The state department has in hand,
1t is said, what it regards as more or
less convincing evidence that Minister
Crane on the eve of his departure for
the Far East, became responsible for
the publication in a Chicago paper of
what the department views as most
indiscreet discussion of the attitude of
the United States toward two treaties
recently negotiated between China and
Japan.
This the department holds to be the
more serious because the attitude is
still under confidential consideration,
no decision having been reached.
While the speeches delivered by Mr..
Crane before the American Asiatic as
sociation at dinner given in his honor
at Chicago are viewed at the state
department as having been at best
unwise and undiplomatic, and, al
though deprecated, were not regarded
as justifying any change in his plans
The Chicago publication falls, how
ever, in the eyes of the department,
into category different and far more
serious.
China and Japan early last month
entered into treaties which contained
provisions regarded by the state de-
partment as irprisin7 and objection
able to this government.
BY this treaty Japan would secure
rights in Manchuria held by some dip
lomats to be in direct violation of both
letter and spirit of the Portsmouth
treaty.
China's Agreement
China has agreed in the treaties now
under consideration that, before ex-
tending her present railway system in
Manchuria, she shall consult Japan
and, presumably, obtain her consent
thereto.
This provision is regarded as inhar-
monious with the declaration of Japan
in the treaty of Portsmouth that she
will not obstruct any measures taken
by China for the development of her
empire.
Another provision relating to the op-
Grafton Of coal mines on both sides of
the Antung- Mukden and South Man
churian railway, it is thought, may be
Objectionable to this government, as
violating the policy of the "open door
as inaugurated by the United States
and subscribed to by Japan and all
leading powers of Europe.
This "open door, policy is intended
to insure equal opportunities to all
nations to assist in the development
of China without impairing her terri
torial integrity.
Matters of a highly confidential ma
ture with respect to the position OF
the United States regarding these and
other provisions of the treaties be-
tween China and Japan are alleged to
have been divulged in the Chicago pub
lication, and for these disclosures the
state department is disposed. in the
absence of proof to the contrary, to
hold Minister Crane responsible.
Want Explanation
According to authentic information
obtained here today, Mr.. Crane has
been summoned to washington from
San Francisco to explain his reported
statements.
officials of the state department are
extremely reticent on the whole sub
iect. most of them affecting entire ig-
norance and referring all inquiries to
Secretary Knox, who up to late hour
tonight was inaccessible.
Meanwhile tomorrows developments
are awaited with an interest which
NAV fairly be described as intense.
"I do not know why I was sum-
moned to washington by Secretary
Knox" Minister Crane said upon his
arrival here. "Just before sailing time
I received a brief telegram from Sec
retary Knox asking me to return to
Washington at once. That is all the
message said.
Secretary Knox has made an ap-
pointment for noon Monday at the
state department at which he will
discuss the matter. I expect to be
her6 for several days-until Thursday
at least.
'I have reserved accommodations on
the steamer sailing from San Fran
cisco on October 20.
Minister Crane intimated that some
Of the alleged interviews with him
telegraphed from the west were not
entirely authentic.
Denies He Said 1t
"a young man who interviewed me
on the train en- route to Chicago has
a vivid imagination and put words
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