Omaha daily bee., 1909-10-13
CRANE DEPOSED
FROM HIGH SEAT
lcontInued DON -. 20

people Of this country should be reused to
a keen interest in the Pacific situation.
both commercially and politically: he felt
that our greatest problem lay there and
that our people were not fully awake to its
Importance.
LAS I stated in a public address in Chi
cago on September 4, the president advised
me to accept all available Invitations to
public meetings and dinners, and said: DO
not miss any OF them and when you go to
one insist on speaking and let them have
it red hot
Il assumed the president wished me to
discuss realities and not platitudes. l have
not had experience as a public speaker and
it was and is a difficult role, but Iihave
done my best to carry out the presidents
wishes.
The difficulty has also been increased
by the absence of specific Instructions from
the State department and Of any adequate
discussion with, it's officials as to the policy
of this government. 1 have been much
gratified that no criticism had come to me
from any official source until l was re-
called to Washington last week.
With the previous approval OF the presi-
dent, 1 had arranged to go to China by way
OF Europe, so that 1 might have confer
eqces with well-informed and influential
persons of widely divergent interests and
points Of view and 1 had made many valu-
able appointments. 1T was then suggested
by Mr.. knox that it would be better for me
to proceed by way Of the Pacific. Con-
trary to my understanding that this matter
should be fully discussed with the president
in conference with Secretary Knox, the
secretary informed me that it would be
unnecessary to see the president and that
l should proceed by way of Japan. 1t was
then agreed l should sail on october 5,
with the minister to Japan.
Il was told letters would be given to me
and arrangements made for seeing i'm
portant persons in Japan. l have not since
then seen Secretary Knox, except on last
Sunday, nor have had any adequate dis
cusslon with the department. as to its
policy.
Some days before the date set for my
departure, l came to Washington and with
considerable difficulty made, a number OF
appointments with the first assistant secre-
tary of state. no one of which did he
keep, nor explain his failure to keep. No
papers, not even my official credentials,
were ready for me, when l left Washing
ton for San Francisco, with just time to
catch the steamer. l have not examined
the papers from the State department.,
which reached me in San Francisco after
the secretary's telegram recalling me to
Washington.
LAS 1 was hurriedly leaving Washington,
a representative of an important paper
asked me about the China-Japan agree
ment and said the matter was under CON
sideration, as was well known, but that no
decision had been reached and l may HAYS
said, although l do not recall It, that
obviously no statement would be prepared
in the absence of Mr.. Hoyt. l advised him
to get thoroughly informed upon the whole
subjest, as It would be of the greatest im-
p~ortance that it be handled intelligently
by the American press If official action
were taken.
This is the sum Of my offending. on
mature consideration, it is my Judgment
that my action was in accordance with the
spirit, at least, of the presidents wishes
expressed by him to me and that IT,
furnished no sufficient excuse for the
sensational and inconsiderate action of the
secretary Of state. a
However, l did not seek this post and
am absolutely unwilling to remain in ii
without the entire confidence Of the presis
dent and the cordial support of the govern$
ment." '
Statement by Secretary YnOx.
In announcing his action, Mr.. Knox gave
out the following statement: q
1.-THE Department OF State has been en-
gagged for some time in making the usual
study Of the recent agreements between
China and Japan in relation to Manchuria,
with a view of determining whether there
is anything in the agreements adversely
affecting American interests or in conflict