Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1909-10-13
c. r. CRANE, MINISTER
TO CHINA, is DEPOSEC
CONTINUED from Page One)

! assumed that the President wished
me to discuss realities and not platl-
tudes. l have not had experience as
public speaker and it was and is
difficult role but / have done my best
to carry out the Presidents wishes.
The difficulty has also been increased
by the absence of specific instructions
from the state department and of any
adequate discussion with it's officials
as to the policy of this government. 1
have been much gratitied that no crit
icism had come to me from any Off
cial source until l was recalled to
Washington last week.
With the previous approval of the
President l had arranged to go to China
by way of Europe, so that l might have
conferences with wcll-informed and in
tluential persons Of widely divergent
interests and points of view, and had
made many valuable appointments. 1t
was then suggested by Mr.. Knox that
it would be better for me to proceed by
way of the Pacific. Contrary to my
understanding that this matter should
be fully discussed with the President
in conference with Sec Knox, the sec
rotary informed me that it would be
unnecessary to see the President and
that / should proceed by way of Jap
an. 1t was then agreed that l should
sail on oct. 5 with the minister to
Japan.
| was tolG that letters would be given
me and arrangements made for seeing
important persons in Japan. | have
not since then seen Sec. Knox except
on last Sunday, nor have 1 had any
adequate discussion with the depart
ment as to it's policy. Some days be-
tore the date set for my departure I
came to Washington and with consid-
cradle difficulty made number of ap-
polntnentS with the first assistant Sec
rotary of state. no one of which did he
keep nor explain his failure to keen.
No papers not even my official creden-
lialS We're ready for me when | left
Washington for San Francisco with
Just time to catch the steamer. I have
not examined the papers from the state
department which reached me in San
francisco after the secretary's tele-
gram recalling me to WASHINGTON.
AS L was hurriedly leaving Washington
a representative of an important paper
asked me about the China-Japan agree
ment. and | said that the matter was
under consideration as was we'll known
but that no decision had been reached
and | may have said although do not
recall it. that obviously no statement
would be prepared in the absence of Mr.
Eoyt. | advised him to get thoroughly
informed upon the whole subject. as il
would be of the greatest Importance that
1T be handled inteligently by the Ameri-
can press if official action were taken.
This is the sum of my offending. On
mature consideration. it is my Judgment
mat my action was in accordance with
the spirit. at least. of the President's
views expressed by him to me. and that
sensational and inconsiderate action of
the secretary of state. However, | did
not seek this post and am absolutely TN
Wiling to remain in it without the entire
confidence of the President and the cor
1lai support of the government
Secretary Knox absolutely declined to
discuss the statement of Mr. Crane re- |
Sarding the incident as closed while AS
Slstant secretary Huntington Wilson, who |
is Just recovering from severe surgical
operation, said he was wholly unacquaint- |
I'd with the latest developments in the
Ease. including Mr.. Cranes references to
his failures to keep appointments made |
With him.