The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-10-11
Recall to Washington Gives Rise to RunOrs of Serious
 Breach of Principles
CRANE IS SAID ID HAVE
 TALKED TOD FREELY
Conference Is Held Betvge~ Minister Crane and Secret aas nd
 His Special snt.

  
 ss of
 .on Of cate depart
 st principle of fAa re conference with
 s : result in the abrupt
 n@ dr. Cranes connection "lh mat service
 Crane arrived in Washington
 -s afternoon from his hurried four
 across the continent. reiterated his declaration of ignorance as to the occa- sion for his rather dramatic recall from the waters edge of the Pacific, and declined
 
 poets, beyond saying that while he ex- pected to be here several days. he had re- served new accommodat tions for the trans-Pracif1c voyage on the steamer sail. ing from San Francisco on October 20 a week from next Wednesday.
 Convincing Evidence.
 The state department has in hand. II Is said, what it regards as more or less convincing evidence that Minister Crane. on the eve of his departure for the far east, became responsible for the publiea- ton in Chicago newspaper of what the department views as a most indiscreet discussion of the attitude of the United States toward the two treaties recently negotiated between China and Japan. This. the department holds to have been the more serious because that attitude Is still under confidential consideration. no decision having been arrived at
 While the speeches delivered bv MT Crane before the American Asiatic asso citation, and at a dinner given in his honor at Chicago, are viewed at the state department as having been at best unwise and undiplomatic. they had been care fully considered after their delivery and before Mir. Crane started for San Fran cisco, and although Appreciated were not regarded as justifying any change In his plans.
 The Chicago publication falls however in the eyes of the department into category very different and far more se- rious.
 Treaties In the East.
 China and Japan early last month en- tered into treaties which contained pro- visions regarded by the state department as very surprising and possibly objection able to this government By these treaties Japan would secure rights In Manchuria which are held by some diplo- mats to be in direct violation of both letter and spirit of the Portsmouth treaty China has agreed in the treaties now un- der consideration that before extending her present railway system in Manchuria she shall consult Japan, and. presumably. obtain her consent thereto. This pro vision is regarded AS inharmonious with the declaration of Japan In the treaty of Portsmouth that she will not obstruct any measures taken by China for the development of her empire.
 Another provision relating to the oper- ation of coal mines on both sides of the Antung-Mukden and South Manchurian railway. it is thought. may be objection able to this government as violating the policy of the "open door" as inaugurated by the United States and subscribed to by Japan, as well as by all of the lead ing powers of Europe. This "open door, policy is intended 10 assure "equal op- portunities'' to all nations to assist in the development of China without inn pairing her territorial integrity
 Confidential Matters.
 Matters of a highly confidential nature with respect to the position of the United States regarding these and other provis- ions of the treaties between China and Japan are alleged to have been divulged in the Chicago publication. and for these disclosures the state department Is dis posed. in the absence of proof to the con trary, to hold Minister Crane responsible. According to authentic information ob- tained here today, it is of this responsi- bility that MT. Crane has been summoned to Washington from San Francisco to acquit himself
 The officials of the state department are extremely reticent on the whole sub ject most of them affecting entire ignor- ance of it, and all referring to Secretary Knox. who up to a late hour tonight was inaccessible Meanwhile. tomorrow's de- velopments are awaited with interest which may fairly be described as i'm tense.
 Conference Is Held.
 Late tonight it became known that dur ing the evening MT. Crane had had a preliminary conference' with Secretary Knox and Henry NJ. Hoyt. special coun- sel 10 the secretary.
 When MT Crane returned to his hotel he admitted that he had seen MT. Knox and that in this preliminary confer enceH the matters at Issue had been dis cussed. He was evidently deeply con cerned about the situation. but refused to say word about it.
 "Wil you resume your Journey to China % Mir Crane was asked.
 "I am under salary he replied, and subject to orders"
 MT. Crane told his interviewers that upon his arrival in Washington he had -
 CONTINUED ON PAGR sl