The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1909-10-15
CRANE DEPOsED BY KNOX.
Resignation of Minister to China De-
manded.-Chicagoan Raps
Back.

>~~~SsSSS" ~@4AN~So~S<AA
Back.
Washington, October l2-Charles
r. Crane, of Chicago, minister desig-
nate to China, to-day was practically
deposed by demand from Secretary
Knox for his resignation. Thus a
new chapter in American diplomacy
was written. A citizen chosen with
special regard for his qualifications
for the post was recalled before he
had embarked from San Francisco
ana discharged from his high Office
because Of alleged indisereet dis
closures through the press. Moreover,
this minister, breaking through all
the old traditions, insisted on defend
ing himself from the aspersions cast
upon him by the Secretary Of State
by the issuance Of a statement which
most people here comment upon as
certain to be very embarrassing to
the administration.
The history Of this extraordinary
affair, which began about week ago
with the announcement that Minister
Crane had been stopped at San Fran
cisco at the moment Of embarkation
for his post by a demand from Sec
retary Knox for his return to Wash
ing,on, reached at least its first crisis
soon after noon to-day, when the
Secretary, in formal statement, an
nounced that Mr.. Cranes resignation
had been invited, and the minister
designate replied in an equally for
NAL statement that while his resig-
nation already had been rendered to
the President, he felt himself very
unjustly treated. Moreover, Mr..
Crane in his statement reflected very
severely upon the officials Of the
State department, charging that not
only had they refrained from giving
him the instructions usually issued TO
a minister or ambassador about to
leave for his post, but that he had
been denied access to them even
after he had made repeated appoint
ments with them. He enters sweep
ing denial of the charge that he
'gave OUT a newspaper story which
is said to be the cause of his deposi-
ton, and places squarely upon the
shoulders Of President Taft the re-
sponsibility for the various utter
anceS he has made regarding condl-
cions in the far East, which have
aroused the ire of Secretary Knox
and for final action upon his resigna-
tion.
In his statement Mr.. Crane said:
Mr.. Cranes Statement.
''The statement issued by the de-
partment of State is slightly mac
curate in saying that the Secretary
has informed me that my resignation
will be accepted. The letter which L
received from Mr.. Knox at noon to-
day says 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 fol-
lowing telegram:
- Washington, D. C., Oct. II, 1909.
President William H. Taft: The
State department objects 10 certain
things I have done in the effort to
carry ont my understanding Of your
wishes as expressed by YOU to me. |
have carefully considered the entire
matter. In my judgment no mistake
has been made except as the depart
ment has made it a mistake. How
ever, | do not and cannot guarantee
TO make no mistakes, especially un-
less I have the cordial support and
cooperation of the Government. The
manner in which the department has
pfoceeued ana IS proceeding IS lncoll-
sistent with my own self-respect and |
my conception Of the dignity Of the
position and with the understanding
upon which l accepted it. I appre-
ciate the personal considerations [
have received from You and under
all the circumstances have decided to
await information as to your wishes
before taking action. You will un-
1erstand Of course. that my resigna-
ton is in your hands.
(Signed) "Charles r. Crane'
Knox Statement Inaccurate.
The statement of the department
is further Inaccurate in saying that I
gave out newspaper story about the
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