New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1909-10-13
CRANE RESIGNS POST |
SECRETARY KNOX M4DE
FIRM DEMAND.
Minister to China Denies IndiscretiOn
and Blames the State Depart
ment for Lack of Instructions.
rFrom The Tribune Bureau. ]

ignation Minister of the United states TO
China is now in the hands of President Taft.
It's acceptance for the good of the service" has
been recommended By Philander G. Knox. Sec
retary of State and it goes without saying that
this recommendation will be followed by the
President
Although the State Department IS quite anx-
ious that this government shall have a diplo-
matte representative at Peking at the earliest
possible date 1t is believed that the selection Of
Mr.. Cranes successor will be deferred until
President Taft returns to Washington next
month No names are now under consideration
for this important post.
Secretary Knox left this afternoon for his
summer home at Valley Forge. Penn. and will
not return to Washington for week or ten
days Mr. Crane is still in Washington, but
will leave for the Vest probably tomorrow He
has cancelled his reservation TO sail for the
Orient on October 90 and It is probable that his
family will return at once to Chicago from San
Francisco.
The Crane case which has excited the at
tention OF three continents for the last ten
days, reached climax to-day. With the sud
den recall last week of Mr.. Crane to Washing
ton from San Francisco on the eve Of his de-
parture for Peking to succeed William w. Rock
hill. public interest in the case was kept alive
by speculation as to the reasons for the unex-
pccted summons In some quarters 1t was
thought that unexpected developments IN the
Orient of such grave import that they could not
be discussed in writing demanded Mr.. Cranes
presence in Washington for a confidential con-
ference with the Secretary of State.
The air of mystery was not dispeled by the
few State Department officials who knew the
facts, but eventually it leaked out that the
only reason for the hasty summons that
Secretary Knox seriously questioned Mr. Cranes
diplomatic fitness for one of this nations most
important foreign posts.
INTERVIEW CAUSED STIR.
The statement of the Crane case from the
point of view of the State Department as out
lined in these dispatches in to-days Tribune,
was confirmed at noon to-day when Secretary
Knox gave out official memorandum, in
which he explained why he had reluctantly
reached the conclusion that the good of the
service demands that l should inform Mr.. Crane
that his resignation will be accepted, and have
done so"
In this memorandum Mr. Knox makes it clear
that he holds Mr.. Crane responsible for the pub
lication in a Chicago newspaper of certain conf
dental information concerning the policy of this
government toward the recent agreement be-
tween China and Japan respecting affairs in
Manchura. Mr.. Knox says that Mr. Crane ad-
mitted having indscreet talk with a re-
porter which resulted in the publication re-
ferred to" The article mentioned was printed
in japan and in the capitals Of Europe and
caused general stir in world politics
On his arrival here on Sunday night Mr. Crane
had frank talk with Secretary Knox, AS a
result Of this interview the Secretar. of State
decided that Mr.. Cranes usefulness as a diplo-
matte official in the Far East was a matter OF
serious doubt and that the interests of the gov
ernment would be best promoted by his resigna-
ton
As soon as Mr.. Knox's statement was made
public to-day Mr.. Crane began the preparation
of a counter statement in explanation of his side
of the case. In the preparation of this state
ment he was assisted by his close personal
friend and political ally, Walter L. Fisher presi-
dent of the city club, of Chicago. who arrived
in Washington yesterday.
Mr.. Crane takes the position that ne commit
ted no indiscretion in connection with the news
paper article mentioned by Secretary Knox: that
in discussing somewhat frankly and freely com
mercial and political affairs in the Orient ne was
following the wishes of President Taft who is
deeply Interested in the Pacific situation and
who told him, he says. to make his talks on this
situation red hot; that he was shown no cour-
tesies and given Instructions not even his
official credentials. by the State Department
and that his action furnishes no excuse for the
sensational and nconsiderate action of the Sec
retary of State"
Mr.. Crane also made public telegram which
he sent this morning to President Taft in which
he said that the manner in which the state De-
partment has proceeded is inconsistent with
my own self-respect and my conception of the
dignity of the position and with the understand
ing upon which accepted it," He informed the
President that he had decided to await infor-
nation to his wishes before taking action,
adding that you will understand Of course.
that my resignation is In your hands"
SECRETARY KNOX's STATEMENT
Although Secretary Knox refused to add any
thing to his memorandum the fact that he
makes official admission that this nation is
deeply concerned in the Japanese Chinese agree
ment respecting Manchuria is regarded here as
significant Notwithstanding MIR. Knox's ref
erence 10 the reports that the United States is
preparing To protest against the agreement as
being "canards.' it is apparen- that the State
Department is interested in what appears TO be
a violation of the open door policy by the
japanese government.
Mr. Knox's memorandum says that the state
Department is making a study to determine
whether there is anything in the agreement ad-
versey affecting American interests or in con-
hict with the principle of equal opportunity for
all, which the powers pledged. He adds
that this study has not been concluded and that
no decision with respect to it has been reached
Accepting as accurate Mr.. Knox's diplomatic
disclaimer that the study has been con-
cluded." there is every reason 10 believe that
when Mr.. Cranes successor is chosen he will
proceed 10 Peking with secret authority from
this government to interest the other powers
with a view TO making united protest against
the alleged japanese aggressons in ,he neutral
Manchurian zone That these negotiations will
be concluded without serious friction is the.
opinion of those most familiar with the politics
end commerce of the orient