The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1909-10-13

sympathy with Mr.. Crane. because OF the
recent predicament, but he told him
squarely Sunday night that he could not
have implicit confidence in his ability
to handle the governments business after
the indiscretion of the newspaper article.
The Secretary prefers to put the reason
for the Minister'S downfall solely upon
the newspaper article.
The suggestion that there has been any
disagreement between the President and
the Secretary Of State over the conduct
Of the matter is stoutly denied. The Sec
rotary is said TO be on the same cordial
terms as ever with his chief
The Offending Article.
Part OF the dispatch in question. which
was dated Washington. September IS, is
as follows:
Washington Is preparing to take the
most important action looking to the Sc
curity Of the "open door in China that
has been called for since the Hay agree
ment ten years ago II fun informa-
ton confirms reports recently received
from Tokyo and Pekin the action Will
take the form Of protest. based on the
Antung- Mukden Railroad controversy be-
tween Japan and China. which recently
excited the diplomatic world
According 10 reports regarding the
Japanese-C chinese agreement respecting
the reconstruction Of the Antung Mukden
road. which have reached diplomatic
circles here, Japan has obtained control
Of extensive mining concessions in South
Manchuria-nOt for a limited but for an
indeterminable period. This is to be re-
garded as a distinct menace TO the open
door, according 20 the exposition Of that
policy as given by the late Secretary Hay.
after the. various powers with spheres Of
influence IN China assented to the agree
ment embodied in the notes exchanged in
1899
"The State Department Il is under
stood. has awaited fun details OF the
agreement between Japan and China reia-
tive 10 the Antung- Mukden Railroad and
allied affairs Of negotiation before TAX
ing any stand IN the matter. During the
last few weeks our representatives in the
far East have obtained piecemeal informa-
ton as 20 this agreement. and an exposi-
ton OF the whole thing is expected with
In a few days The Information at hand
has warranted preliminary arrangements
for a protest"
Mr.. KnOx's Statement.
In announcing Mr. Cranes resignation,
Secretary Of State Knox gave out the
following statement:
The Department Of state has been en-
gagged for some time in making study
% the recent agreement between China
and Japan in relation 10 Manchuria from
such data bearing upon the situation as
Il was able TO secure with a view to de-
terminlng whether there is anything ir
the agreement adversely affecting Ameri-
can interests or IN conflict with the
principle Of equal opportunity 10 which
the powers are pledged; study not yet
! concluded snd In respect 70 which NJ
( decision has been reached
While this investigation was proceed
/ ing Mr.. Crane, the Minister 70 China
came 10 the department. and while there
was Informed by one Of the clerks tha
such an examination was beng made
Without consultation with the Acting Sec
rotary or any other responsible officer o.
the department. and without the knowl
edgs or authority OF any one connected
with the department. Mr.. Crane gave out
a newspaper story to the effect that thi:
! government was preparing 20 protes
against some features Of the agreement
and that the PRONUNCIATION or the protest
only awaited the return Of an official whC
was 10 formulate H.
/ story in japanese Papers.
"The story appeared in Western news
paper. and al the same time, or a dal
/ later. in the japanese press. Ii subse
quently was generally published. Sucl
Nere the representations made 10 me OF
/ October / by the responsible officers o.
| the state Department. accompanied b.
their statements that they had sufficien
whereupon / sent Mr. Crane at SaI
Francisco the following telegram, date,
/ October 3. 1909:
You have been charged with the re
/ sponsibuity for the canards recently ap
pearing in the japanese and American
press TO the effect that the United State
is preparing 10 protest against the Chi
lnese-Japauese agreement. The evidenc
that you are responsible for this is o
such a character as warrants me in di
recting you TO come 10 Washington AM
meet IT, II YOU are not responsible, as
hope YOU are not. matters relating &
Oriental affairs have developed since yol
left Washington that make It advisabl
for me to communicate with you per
sonauy and in the utmost confidence il
relation thereto
AT a conference with Mr.. Crane OF
I Sunday evening he admitted having al
indiScreet talk with reporter which re
suited in the publications referred 20. and
I assuming responsibility. he stated tina
II TIE indiscretiOn was grave enough q
shake my confidence in his usefulness h
would willingly resign. / have reluctantl
reached the conclusion that the good o
the service demands that I should inform
Mir Crane that his resignation will b
accepted. and I have done so"
! There were limitations yesterday tina
big business interests In New York wer
participating in the controversy. TheS
are not borne out by any information
| 10 be had in Washington. Mr.. Crane
while in Washington recently. talked wit
certain visitors about the splendid pros
poets for American capital in China, IS