The Columbus journal., 1909-10-13
CRANE CALLED BACK.
STOPPED ON The EVE OF 8All-
ING FOR PEkINo.
REASON GIVEN FOR The SANE
oeeasioned by Developments 1nvoIv.
jnQ the Question Of His Fitness
For the Position.

washington. -C03floS h CI80e
sudden, unexpected and hitherto mys.
terious recall to Washington By SEQ
recatary of State Knox. as he was at
the point of sailing from San Fran
cisco to assume his duties as minister
of the United States to China. was
occassioned by developments involving
the question of Mr.. Cranes fitness for
that post. This much Is known In
well-informed quarters in Washing
ton. Unless Mr.. Crane Is able to clear
himself in the eyes of Secretary Knox
of an accusation of q serious breach
Of what the state department regards
as the first principle Of diplomatic
discretion the conference with his OF.
fetal chief may result In the abrupt
termination Of Mr.. Cranes connection
with the diplomatic service.
Minister Crane arrived in Washing
ton Sunday afternoon from his hur.
ried journey across the continent. re'
iterating his declaration Of ignorance
as to the occasion for his rather dra-
matte call from the waters edge Of
the Pacific. and declined to discuss
the matter In any Of its aspects. be-
yond saying that while he expected
to be here several days, he had re-
served new accommodations for the
transpacific voyage on the steamer
sailing from San Francisco on October
20. . week from next Wednesday.
Tho state department has In hand.
e coSA ~vAoH So~ox6o ~
less convincing evidence that Minister
Crane. on the eve of his departure for
the far east, became responsible for
the publication In q Chicago news.
paper of what the department views
as q most indiscret 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 BY Mr..
Crane before the American Asiatic
association and at . dinner given In
his honor at Chicago. are viewed at
tho state department a. having been
at best. unwise and undiplomatic,
they had been carefully considered
after their delivery and before Mr..
Crane started for San Francisco. and
although deprecated were not regard.
ed ~ tustifying any change In his
plans.
Tho Chicago publication falls. how.
ever. IN the eyes Of the department
into . category very different and
for moro serious.
China and Japan early last moath
entered into treaties which contained
provisions regarded BY the state DE-
partment - very surprising and pos
sibly Objectionable to this govern
mont BY these treaties Japan would
secure rights In Manchur1s which arc
held By some diplomats to be In direct
violation Of both the letter and spirit
Of the Portsmouth treaty. China has
agreed in the treaties now under con-
sideration. that before extending the
present railway system In Manehuria,
Il shall consult Japan. and. presum-
ably. obtain it, consent thereto. This
provision is regarded a. inharmoni-
ous with the declaration Of Japan In
tho treaty Of Portsmouth that Il viii
aot obstruct any measures taken By
China for the development Of Its en-
pire.