Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1909-10-14
From Washington.
,Oorevpondence Of the Alexandria Gazette. ]
Washington, Oct. IA.

from aSnlnSCOus
,Ourrsvpondence Of the Alexandria Gasette.l
Washington, Oct. IA.
In casting about for the real reason
for the summary removal OF Ohas. K.
Crane from his position as minister to
China that part Of official Washington
which is mol actually 10 the secret bsS
finally reached the conclusion that the
japanese government is responsible for
this rather sensational diplomatic incl
dent. The affairs OF China and Japan
are 80 closely intermiDgled that, 1t is sr'
gued, it might we'll be deemed advisable
oy Secretary Knox TO see to 1t that the
American diplomatic representative at
Pekiug should be, as such, also satisfac-
tory to Toxic. II japan should have,
therefore, intimsted 10 the Slate Depart
ment that Mr.. Crane would not be able
20 get along we'll with the Japanese rep
res1utative iu PekiOg 1t is regarded ss
very likely thSt Mr.. Knox would heed
the hint. lit is nov believed that this
ia exactly what happened. In the pres
snt situation of affairs 1t Is essential that
The United States should remain on the
most friendly terms with japan.
The impression is growing that MI,
Crane was sacrificed and Inundated at
the behest Of Japan. Diplomats and
politicians alike are agreed that the rea'
sons assigned by Mr.. Knox for the
treatment to which Mr.. Crane has been
subjected are inadequate. As for Mr..
Crane's speech before the American
Asatic Society it is now established that
Mr.. Kuox, on the day following It's de-
livery, personally congratulated MI
Crane upon 1t over the long distance
telephone. Yet on last Sunday night
when the two men met personally for
the first time Mr.. Knox severely criIi-
cised that same speech. Something had
happened 10 the meantime to make him
take 80 contrary view of Mr.. Cranes
remarks and 1t Is now thought that
something was a hint from japan that 1t
did not like the idea of an American
business mau being sent to China to
represent the United States.
1t Is not disclosed whether japan 5
objections were based upon Mr.. Cranes
ulierances or whether she feared an in-
crease In American commercial activi-
Ties in China through the presence 10
Pekiug of 40 American minister who had
never had diplomatic training but whose
business ssgscity is widely recognized.
10 q telegram received at the White
House today, President Taft formally
accepts the resignation of Charles K.
Crane, Of Chicago, as minister TO China.
The telegram was addressed to Score
tary Carpenter, and dated Prescott,
Ariz. 1t follows:
"Convey to Mr.. Crane following CON-
municstion:
"I concur in the letter under date
of October II which secretary of state
addressed to you, snd l greatly regret
that the circumstances found to exist by
him make 1t necessary for me to accept
vour resignation TAFT"
Upon receiving the presidents COM
munication, Mr.. Crane dictated the
following statement: 81 am greatly
relieved by the president decision.
There has been no minute since learned
the attitude OF the Department of State
when have not contemplated the pos.
sibility of 8 continuance of my Official
relation with the deepest repugnsnce.
| Nevertheless, l have felt that my OBJ.
legation to the president was to permit
him to decide the issue. have sp'
pveciated fully what would be involved
10 decision by him that | should con-
tiuue. l have realized also the impos.
sibilIty of his securing complete iufor-
nation at this time. He has chosen tC
base his decision upon circumstances"
found by the secretary OF state.
al accepted the Chinese mission al
his request and solely because of sssur-
suces that / could be and would be
permitted to be OF service to the
country constructive work of the
greatest importance to it and Of the
greatest interest TO one. 1t hiss beer
made perfectly clear that conditions
here were not aud are not such al
10 make this possible. To demonstrate
this had involved personal humiliation
such as no self-respecling man who lie
drafted into the public service should be
called on to endure, but l am grateful
indeed that have had the test OF official
confidence and support here rather than
10 China aud now rather than at some
real crisis involving the honor Oh
the interest OF the patton.
az think / should state at this time
thst until l arrived here last Sunday J
hsd never seeu the newspaper article
which is made the excuse for my recall,
dor had / heard that such an article had
been published, aud ct my interview
with the SECRETARY OF state 1t Was not
shown to me. l sccepted the description
OF its character and consequences then
given to me and assumed full response
bility for my connection with 1t, purely
Incidental as that connection was"
Mr.. Crane left Washington this after
noon, presumably for Chicago, although
he declined to state his destination. He
also refused to say whether or not be
believed The real reason for his dismissal