Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1909-10-14
=SENTS HIS SIDE OF CUES
TION-HAS BEEN UN-
FAIRLY TREATED.
ACTED UPON UNDERSTANDING
OF WISHES OF PRESI-
DENT TAFT.
OFFICIALS AT WASH lNGTON
FAILED TO KEEP FAITH
WITH HIM.

Washington, Oct 13.-Charles r.
Crane of Chicago, minister designated
10 China, yesterday was practically
ieposed by a demand from Secretary
Knox for his resignation.
Thus a new chapter Of American
diplomacy is written. A minister,
chosen with special regard for his
qualifications, is recalled before he
and discharged because of
alleged indiscreet disclosures through
he press. Moreover, this minister,
breaking through all tradition, de-
lends himself by the issuance of a
statement which is commented upon
rs certain to be very embarrassing to
he administration.
The extraordinary incident began
. week ago with the announcement
hat Mr.. Crane was stopped at San
francisco and ordered by Secretary
nOX to return to Washington. Yes
day, Mr.. Knox announced that Mr..
rane's resignation had been invited,
Id the minister replied by stating
at while his resignation already had
'en rendered to the president, he
1t himselv very unjustiy treated.
.. Crane denies giving out the news
per story said to he the cause of
{ deposition, and places upon Pres
Taft the responsibility Of Mr..
s utterances regarding oriental
ons, which have aroused the
Of Mr.. Knox, and for final action
)n his resignation.
Mr.. Cranes Statement.
The public statement given out bv
70. Crane says:
The statement issued by the de-
rtment Of state is slightly inaccur-
e in saying that the secretary in
rmed me that my resignation would
accepted.
The letter l received from Mr..
nOx yesterday says that he recon-
ended to the president that the
esident accept my resignation. Be
re this letter was received, I had
ready sent the president the follow
g telegram:
The state department objects to
rtain things I have done in an eff
TT to carry out my understanding
your wishes as expressed by you.
my judgment no mistake has been
lde, except as the department has
ade mistake However, [ did not and
mot guarantee to make no mis-
kes, and especially unless I have the
rdtai support and cooperation of
o government. The manner in
aich the department proceeded is
consistent with my own self respect
d my conception of the dignity Of
e position and with the understand
6 upon which l accepted it. / ap-
ectate the personal consideration I
ceive from you, and under all the cir
instances, have decided to await
formation as to your wishes before
liking action. You will understand
t course, that my resignation is in
our hands.
NOA5hUuI --SudIlSS IL, Crane.
The statement of the department
further inaccurate in saying that
ave out a'newspaper story, about the
separations of a protest in regard
, the agreement between China and
apan. 1t would have been more ac-
ate if the statement had said. as
led in its closing paragraph,
the brief conversation of mine
a newspaper representative con-
ibuted to the publication by him of
discussion of this agreement, and
re possibility of a protest by the
Jvernment, and that the department
agarded this conversation as 'indis-
rect The publication in my judg-
tent would not have been a mistake
the department had not chosen to
ouch for its accuracy and give it Of
Cial significance.
1T certainly contained nothing OF
ubstanCe that was not matter Of
ommOn knowledge or deducible from
acts commonly known. The agree
lent had been published and its et-
ect widely discussed.
When l accepted the appointment
he president expressed an earnest
wish that the people be reused to q
,een interest in the pacific situation,
$ he felt our greatest problem lay
mere and that our people were not
ully awake TO its Importance. The
n1 - ola
valuable invitations to public meet
ngs and dinners. and said: Don't
Mss any Of them and insist on speak
'ng ard let them have it red hot
Il assumed that the president
wished me TO discuss the realities, not
patitudes. / have not had experience
IS a public speaker, but have done
my best to carry out the presidents
wishes.
The difficulty is increased by the
tbsence o. specific instructions from
he state department and of any ade-
uate discussion with its officials as
o the policy of this government.
With the approval of the president,
had arranged to so to China via
europe, to have conferences with well
}formed persons of widely divergent
lterests and points of view, and, had
ade many valuable appointments
=. Knox suggested it would be better
ne to proceed by the Pacific. My
lderstandino was that this should be
scussed with the president, but the
cretary said it was unnecessary to
the president.
I was told that letters would be
ven me and arrangements made fol-