The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1909-10-12
Secretary Knox Says Action
Is for Good of
Service.
MINISTER'S VIEWS
INSPIRED RECALL
Situation in Orient Is Considered
Extremely Vital to United
States.
Charles R. Cranes resignation as

Charles R. Cranes resignation as
minister to China was accepted to-
day by Secretary of State Knox.
This ends the famous Crane in
cident" which began with the sud
den recall last week of Crane to
Washington from San Francisco
when he was about to sail for China.
and was kept alive in the public
interest by the wide speculation as
to the reasons for the sensational
recall of a man about to take UP
his new duties.
The reasons given by Secretary of
State Knox for accepting the resig-
nation are newspaper stories recent
ly printed about affairs in the
Orient, stories which Mr.. Crane ad-
nits having inspired.
Knox Makes Statement.
Secretary Rnox's statement is as fol-
lows:
II have reluctantly reached the con-
clusion that the good Of the service de-
mands that I should inform Mr.. Crane
that his resignation VII be accepted
and have done so.
The Department OF State has been
engaged for some time in making the
Usual study OF the recent agreement he
tween China and Japan IN relation TO
Manchuria for such data bearing upon
the situation as it was ssple TO secure
with a view of determining whether
there is anything in the agreement ad-|
Versely affecting American interests or
in conflict with the principal OF equal op-
pOTtUntty TO which the powers are
pledged; a study not yet concluded and
in respect 70 which no decision has been
reached
Without Authority.
while this investigation was proceed
ing Mr.. Crane, the minister to China,
came TO the department ard while there
was Informed by one Of tie clerks that
such an examination was being made
Without consultation nth the Acting
Secretary OF any other responsible Of
fcer Of the department and without the
knowledge Or authority of any 'Oue con-
a.
gave OUT q Newspaper story to the eff
feet that this Government was prepar-
ing 90 protest against some features OF
the agreement and that the prornulga-
ton OF the protest only waited the
return OF an official who was 20 formu-
late II.
THE story appeared in a Western
newspaper and al the same time or e. /
day later in the japanese press II sub
sequently was generally published.
Telegraphs Crane.
such were the representations made .
TO me October ] by the responsible Of !
hcers Of the State Department accom-
panied by their statements that they
had sufficient reasons TO believe them 20 4
be true. WhereuDon / sent Mr.. Crane NJ :
San Francisco the following telegram /
dated October 9, 1903.
You have been charged with the re-
sponsibility for the canards recently /
appea ring in the japanese and Ameri- .
can press 10 the effect that the United
States is preparing TO protest against /
the Chiuese-Japanese agreement.
The evidence that you are responsible /
for this is OF such a character as war
rants me In directing you 10 come TO /
=
responsible, as / hope YOU are not, mat /
ters relating to Oriental affairs have
developed since YOU left Washington
that make iL advisable for me to COM
with you personally and 81 the
utmost confidence IN relation thereto.
"At a conference with MT Crane sun
day evening he admitted having an in /
discreet talk with porter which re /
suited iu the publications referred to, /
and, assuming responsibility. stated that
II the indiscretion was grave enough 10 +
shake my confidence in his usefulness ne I
would willingly resign.
II have reluctantly reached the con-
clusiOn that the good Of sne service de- 4
mands that / should inform Mr. Crane /
that his resignation win be accepted, /
and 1 have dom So"
Views With Concern.
The concern shown by ATr. Knox
in regard to the situation in the /
Orient Is but another evidence OF the /
fact that this country views with the /
greatest concern the recent treaty be- /
tween Japan and China. whereby /
Japan is given exclusive mining /
rights ir Manchuria, IF the situation
were not a serious one, il Is doubtful /
II Mr. Cranes activities in the news /
papers would ever have been noticed.
Japan does not like the Idea Of I'm /
tn her affairs by this couu- /
try. and. II the United States intends |
such action, IL is necessary to keep IL |
quiet until the time for springing il.
That this country means 10 do every
thing possible to preserve the open 4
door, policy Of China inviCiate is un-
doubted. and 10 seems that Mr.. Crane {
put this government in a hole in allow
ng it 10 be understood that the United
States was about TO get busy with theI
work Of upsetting the treaty TO which
objection Is had II would have TO be-
done quietly and. perhaps, by iudirec-
ton, but Cranes frankness double /
crossed the game.
Mr.. Cranes independence rs about as
biz as his bank roll. and when Mr.
Knox kicked on what be had done. ne
submitted his resignation.