The Plymouth tribune. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1901-1911, 1909-10-14
DOOR IN ORIENT
IS in DANGER
DIPLOMATS A R E NO w
CONFRONTED WITH A
DELICATE QUESTION.
Railroad Treaty Signed by ia
pan and China a Violation OF
Agreement.

tiCnal facts and details relating to
the exact diplomatic situation
which led up to the negotiation
Of the treaty between China and
Japan relating to the reconstruc-
tion OF the Anttmg-Mukden rail-
road wena obtained today from a
reliable source. The information
only tends to confirm the impress
SIGN that the United States may
be called upon to protest against
violation of the open door ag-
reament in China and further rel
egates to the rear any attempt
to make it appear that Chas. r.
Crane, of Chicago, the new MIN
lister to China, has been recalled
from San Francisco by Philan-
der c. Knox, secretary of state,
primarily for the purpose of re-
oeiving a reprimand for alleged
|ndiScreet remarks with respect to
the relations between China and
the United States. Such talk at
he present time merely beclouds
what, in the opinion OF those who
know, is a serious situation.
Before Treaty Was Signed.
The crisis in the diplomatic Sit
uation In China is not the out
come of any one act or event. 1t
/ is learned that the negotiations
between China and Japan had
proceeded for some time under
the watchful eyes OF the United
States and other nations previ-
Iously to the signing OF the treaty
between China and Japan early in
July. AT the time OF the signing
| of the treaty it is understood to
have been the belief OF the state
department. based on information
from Minister w. w. Rockhill, at
Pekin, and from other sources,
that the question at issue be-
tween China and Japan would not
be definitely concluded for at
least two years.
1t is known that the Chinese
foreign Office thought it would
take three years. Acting on this
belief Minister Rockhill sailed for
the United States ON June 20 and
Thomas ]. O'Brien, United
States ambassador to Japan, sail
ed from Yokohoma on a leave OF
absence on June 26
State Department Surprised.
To the complete surprise OF the
state department the treaty be-
weem Japan and China relating to
the reconstruction of and conces-
sios along the south Manchurian
and Antung-Mukden railroads
was signed early in July over the
protests of China.
Had this event been expected
lit is not believed here that Mr..
Rockhill would have left his post
at Pekin or that Mr.. O'Brien
would have returned home at that
time, particularly when the agree
ment between China and Japan
| was believed even then, to con-
tain some provision inimical to
the "open door" policy in the
orient.
After arriving in this county,
Mr.. O'Brien's plans for his return
to Japan were so changed as to
amount practically to a recall
similar to that which now faces
Mr.. Crane. Mr.. O'Brien had in
tended to remain in the United
States only ten days and to spend
the rest of his leave with his fam
lily at Brussels, Belgium. return
| ing to his post over the Trans-Si-
berian railroad. Instead he re-
manned in the United States prac-
tically two months, all told, in
the meantime paying brief visit
to his family, and returning to
the United States ostenSibly To
greet Baron Shibusawa at Grand
Rapids, Mich, his home city.
Torn Up AS An Insult.
1t is understood here that Mr..
IO'BIien sailed back to Japan on
the same boat Mr.. Crane intend
ed to take when recalled to
Washington. Mr.. O'Brien )
movements in the meantime re-
ceived no publicity in connection
with the diplomatic situation NOW
KIN. TT TO exist.
1t is further Teamed here that
the United States attempte ] me
he Indirectly - have the ISSUES