Bluefield evening leader. [volume] (Bluefield, W. Va.) 1906-1911, 1909-10-13
Chicago Man Designated to
be Minister TO China
Sends in His Resignation
But Defends Position.
RECALLED ON EVE
OF SAILING FOR POST
I'm Letter to President He
Scores the State De
mcnth.

Washington, Oct. Charles r.
Crane, OF Chicago. minister desig-
nate to China, toGay was practi-
cally depooed by demand from
Secretary Knoz for his resignation.
Thus new chapter in American
diplomacy was written. A citizen
chosen with special regard for his
qualifications for the post was re-
called before he had embarked from
San Francisco and discharged from
his high Office because Of alleged in
discreet disclosures through the
press. Moreover this minister. break
ing through all the old traditions.
insisted on defending himself from
the aspersions cast upon him by the
secretary of state by the assurance
OF a statement which most people
mere comment upon as certain to bo
very embarrassing to tho adminlstra-
tion
The history OF this extraordinary
anair which began about n week
ago with the announcements that
Minister Crane had been stopped at
san Francisco at the moment Of
embarkation for his post by de-
mand from Secretary Knox for his
return to Washington reached at
least its FIRST crisis soon after noon
today, when the secretary IN for
mai statement announced that Mr.
Cranes resignation had been invited
ana the minister designate replied
in an equally formal statement that
while his resignation already had
been rendered to the President he
FELT himself very unjustly treated.
Moreover, Mr.. Crane In his state
ment reflected very severely upon
the officials of the state department.
charging that not only had they re
Trained from giving him the instruc-
tions usually issueG TO minister or
ambassador about 10 leave for his
post. but that ne had been denied
access TO them even after he had
made repeated appointments with
them
IN this statement Mr.. Crane said:
"Thc statement issued by the de
partment OF state is slightly mac
curatc in saying that the secretary
has informed mc that my rcsigna-
tion will bc accepted Tho letter
which received from Mr.. Knox all
noon today says that he has recon-
mcnded TO the President that the
President accept my resignation. Be
fore this letter had been received
by me had already sent TO the
President through mis- secretary. Mr..
Carpenter tn following telegram:
Washington. oct H.
President w H. Tart The
state department objects to certain
things have done in the effort To-
carry out my understanding of your
wishes as Expressed by you to mc T
have carefully considered the entire
matter la my Judgment mo- mistake
has been made except as the depart
ment has made q mistake However
did not and cannot guarantee fO
mako no mistakc' especially uu-
less I have the cordial support and
cooperation OF the government The
matter in which tlo department has
proceeded and is proceeding is iu
consistent with my own SELF respect
and my conception or the dignity of
thc position and with the under
standing upon whicn T have accept
ed it J appreciate tfo personal cone
s.doration { have received from you
and under aIl the circumstances have
decided to awaI Information as to-
your wishes b,forc taking action.
You viii understand of course that
my resignation g. i'm your hands
CfIAS r. CRANE.