Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1909-10-13
SAYS He HAS BEEN BADLY TREATED
Minister Designate to China Denies
Giving Out" Newspaper Story and
Puts Responsibility for His Utter
ances Upon Mr.. Taft's SHOULDERS.
Denied Access to Officials.


WAStflNb O->, IL. - wv
Charles X. Crane. of Chicago. min
lister designate to China. today was
practically deposed by a demand from
Secretary Knox for his resignation.
Thus a new chapter in American
diplomacy was written. citizen
chosen with special regard for MS
qualifications for the post. was re-
called before he had embarked from
San Francisco and discharged from
his high Office because of alleged IN
discreet disclosures through the press.
Moreover, this minister, breaking
through all the cid traditions. insisted
on defending himself from the asper-
sjons cast upon him by the secretary
of state by the issuance OF a state
ment which most people here CON-
ment upon as certain to be very en-
barrassing to the administration.
The history of this extraordinary al
fair. which began about week ago
with the announcement that Minister
Crane mad been stopped at San Fran
cisco at the moment OF embarkation
for his post by demand from Secre-
tary Knox for his return, was at It's
nrSt CTiSlS SOOH dltti hOOh ScNNJ .
when the secretary in formal state
ment, announced that Mr. Cranes res
ignation had been invited, and the min
lister designate replied in an equally
formal statement that while his re-
signation already had been rendered
to the President, he felt himself very
unjustly treated.
Moreover. Mr.. Crane. in his state
ment reflected very severely upon the
officials of the state department.
charging that not only had they re-
Trained from giving him the instruc-
ticns usually issued to a minister or
ambassador about to leave for his
port. but that he had been denied ac-
cess to them, even after he had made
repeated appointments with them.
SqusreIy UP to Mr.. Taft.
He enters sweeping denials of t1e
charge that he gave out" a news
paper story which is said to be the
cause of his deposition. and places
souarely upon the shoulders of Presi-
dent Taft the responsibility for the
various utterances he has made re-
garding conditions in the far East,
which have aroused the ire OF Secre-
tsry Knox, and calls for final acton
upon his resignation.
In his statement, Mr. Crane said;
The statement issued by the de-
partmcnt of state Is slightly inaccurate
in saying that the secretary has in
formed me that my resignation would
be accepted. The letter which | re-
ceived from Mr. Knox at noon today
saws that he has recommended TO the
President that the President accept
my resignation. Before this letter had
been received by me. had already
sent to the President. through his
secretary, Mr.. Carpenter. the follow
ing telegram:
Telegram to President.
Washington. ID. C., Oct. 12.-lyO9
President W. II. Taft.
THE state department objects to
certain things | have done in the ef-
fort to carry out my understanding OF
your wishes as expressed by you 20
me. I have carefully considered the
entire matter. In my judgment no
mistake has been made except as the
department has made it mistake
However. did not and cannot guaran-
tee to make no mistake. especially
unless have the cordial support and
cooperation Of the government The
manner in which the department has
proceeded and Is proceeding. Is incon-
sistent with my own self respect and
my conception Of the dignity cf the
position and with the understanding
upon which I have received from you
and under all the circumstances have
decided TO await information as tc
your wishes before taking action You
will understand. Of course. that my
resignation Is in your hands.
(SigncdD CHARLES r. CRANE
Department Further Inaccurate.
The statement Of the department IS
further inaccurate in saying that |
gave out a newspaper story about the
preparation 81 a protest tn regard to
the agreement between China and
japan.
IT would have been more accurate
n the statement had said. a. was in
dicafed IN It's own closing paragraphs.
that a brief conversation ~ mine with
newspaper representative contri-
huted 20 the publication b. him II =
discussion % this agreement and the
Continued on Seventh Psge)