New-York tribune., 1909-10-14
Il CLOSED INCIDENT.
State Departments Vie1C of Crane
CGSe-COmmentS of Diplomats.

Crane incident IS closed was the only response
made to-day at the White House and the State
Department TO the inquiry to whether Presi-
dent Taft had 2ccepted the resignation Of Mr..
Crane. 1t said that nothing had been heard
from the President to-day and that Secretary
Knox had left Washington for his Valley Forge
home without receiving word from his chief The
State Department holds that the tender Of his
resignation by Mr.. Crane and Secretary Knoxs
notice to him that the resignation would be ao-
cepted constituted all the formality necessary to
separate Mr.. Crane from the diplomatic service.
When inquiry made to the regularity of
this procedure decisions Of the United States
courts cited uphoIding the contention that IL
would be unnecessary for the President personally
TO inform Mr.. Crane that his resignation had been
accepted
One OF TIE decisions on which the State Depart
ment is said to rely as sustaining the view that
Nj Cranes connection with the diplomatic service
Of the United States Is at end is the following
by Judge Mclean. formerly Of the United States
Circuit Court in Ohio, who. in an opinion in the
case Of the United States against Wright said.
There can be no doubt that civil oflcer has
IN the power OF the Executive compel him to re-
nation should be received TO take effect and this
Goes not depend upon the acceptance rejection
OF the resignation by the President
The correctness Of this view fl is said has never
been successfully assailed. The conclusion Of the
State Department officials is that Mr. Cranes con-
nection with it terminated the receipt OF his
resignation by the President.
Up to midnight no response had been received by
MI Crane from President Taft to the dispatch hs
sent yesterday morning rendering his resignation.
Mr.. Crane did not appear 70 think It strange that
ne had received word from the President ex-
pressing the belief that Mr.. Taft probably had been
too much on the CO. to consider the case
Mr Crane met the newspaper CORRESPONDENTS
shortly before midnight but ne had no new light
TO throw on his case. Asked II he expected to
stay here for time. he said he was uncertain as
10 his movements these depending, it is thought,
on future developments. There are other places
besides Washington" he said ''where 2 fellow
can have q good time"
II is long since a diplomatic episode has sx-
cited the national capital more than this one
Nj Cranes reply last night to the statement in
which Secretary Of State Knox yesterday after
noon announced that he had informed the min
lister that his resignation would be accepted in
cluding Mr. Cranes telegram Of virtual resigna-
ton to the President, was read with the keenest
interest
II was asserted by those in the confidence Of
the Secretary Of State that Mr. Knox was per
fectly assured OF the approval Of the President
ana that he was not the kind Of man to take so
drastic a step without knowing in advance that
he would be supported Even the friends of Mr.
Crane. while indignant at the treatment he had
received from Mr.. Knox. acknowledged that the
developments since he left San Francisco at the
peremptory summons OF the Secretary had re-
gardless OF the merits Of the case, DESTROYED anv
possible usefulness his part at Peking and
that in the circumstances he could not with self
respect do otherwise than insist on the accent
OF his resignation
THE State Department big and broad as II is
isn't big enough for both Knox and Crane
said official The President cannot sustain
either without turning down the other Mr. Knox
could not be reversed without being tnterpreted
throughout the world as an insunerabIe rebuff"
One Of the possible indirect results of the incident
was discussed with much interest in some diplo-
matte circles to-day That is the unmistakable
notice Japan has received, even in the words ~
Mr.. Knox, to the effect that this government looks
with disapproval upon her gains in Nancb,,rfa
through the two new treaties with China which
have been so much discussed in connection with the
Crane affair.
A man who has studied international politics Tor
many years, but who would not be quoted ~
name, described it in this way:
1T was very necessary that Japan should be ad
vised of the intention this government m ,rota.
TO the utmost the interests OF American trada in
Manchuria, yet in such way as to avoid nIacirc
the State Department in position from which -
would be awkward to retreat in the event of tba
odds being found great In the ordinary co,,rs.
the great powers interested in maintaining tho
"open door" in Manchuria could have been an
preached by Secretary Knox with the purpose or
securing their support in a joint representation Ia
Japan and China the effect that the two treaties
recently negotiated between those countries con
ferrtng upon Japan practical monopoly of the
exploitation OF railroads and mineral resources OF
/ Manchuria. were obnoxious to these powers Posi-
I bly, the State Department had far proceeded in
taking soundlngs to lead It doubt whether the
support of majority of the great powers could be
obtained. Secretary Knoxs statement issued yes
terday shows that the negotiations are still in
progress but certainly does indicate that sue
cess has been obtained The recent disclosures the
truth of which, Mr. Crane in his statement
points out, the Department OF State fails 10 deny.
may have served this purpose very well, and the
fact that the department felt called upon pun
ish' Mr. Crane for those disclosures might Well
serve as notice to the Japanese government OF IFS
serious objections to the treaties
Henry P Fletcher, the charge and first secretary
Of the American Legation at Peking, is recognized
bv the Department of State as American Minister
pro ternpore and in the opinion of officials he will
remain in that capacity for some time. as it is not
expected that the President will name a successor
~ Mr. Crane before he returns TO Washington