Norwich bulletin., 1909-10-13
Demand from Secretary of State Knox for His
 Resignation.
CRANE ENTERS SWEEPING DENIAL
Of Charge that He Gave Out" Newspaper Story which Considered in Diplomatic Circles Indscreet Discosure-He Places Upon the Presidents shoul
 ders the Responsibility for Utterances lie Has Made

1 is a difficult role, but have done my best to carry out the presidents wish es.
 Change of Route Decided Upon.
 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. I have been much gratified that no crit icism had come to me from any official source until l was recalled to Wash ington 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 well informed and in- fluential persons of widely divergent interests and points of view, and I had made many valuable appointments. It was then suggested by MT. 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 Secretary Knox, the secretary informed me that it would be unnecessary to see the president, and that I should pro- ceed by way of Japan. It was then agreed that I should sail on Oct with the minister to Japan.
 I was told that letters would be given. to me and arrangements made for sec ing important persons in Japan. I have not since then seen Secretary Knox except on last Sunday nor have l had any adequate discussion with the department as to its policy. Some days before the date set for my departure [ came to Washington and with consid- erable difficulty made a number of ap- pointments with the first assistant sec retary of state, no one of which did he keep nor explain his failure to keep. No papers, not even my official ere dentials, were ready for me when I left Washington for San Francisco. with just time to catch the steamer. 1 have not examined the papers from the state department which reached me in San Francisco after the secretary's telegram recalling me to Washington.
 As l was hurriedly leaving Wash ington a representative of an important paper asked me about the China Japan agreement aID 1 said that the matter was under consideratio8 as was well known, but that no decision had been reached, and I may have said. though do not recall it, that obviously no statement would be prepared in the ab- sence of Mir. Hoyt. advised him to get thoroughly informed upon the whole subject, as it would be of the greatest importance that it be handled intelligently by the American press if official action were taken.
 No Excuse for Secretary of States
 Sensational Action.
 This is the sum of my offending. On mature consideration it is my judg- ment that my action was in accord ance with the spirit at least of the presidents wishes expressed by him to me and that it furnishes no sufficient excuse for the sensational and incon- siderate action of the secretary of state. However. I did not seek this post and am absolutely unwilling to remain in. it without the entire con- fidence of the president and the cordial support of the government
 Washington, Oct. 12-Secretary Knox absolutely declined to discuss the statement of Mir. Crane, regarding the incident as closed, while Assistant Sec retary Huntington Wilson. who is just recovering from a severe surgical op- eration, said he was wholly unac- quainted with the latest developments in the case, including Mir Cranes ref erences to his failure to keep appoint ments with him.
 President Approves Knox's Action.
 Colton. Cal, Oct. 12-Before leaving here tonight President Taft received al cipher message from Washington of 300 words. It is said to deal with the case of Minister Crane.
 While no one on the presidents train will discuss the matter in any wav it is known that whatever action Secre- tary Knox has taken or recommends in the matter will be approved by the president