The Montgomery tribune., 1909-10-15
STATE DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES
ACTION OF UNITED STATES
MINISTER TO CHINA.
TAFT-KNOX WIRES ARE HOT
nese-Japanese Treaty Has Been
Laid Bare--Damaeing
to Country.

Washington, D. C.-The state de-
partment Tuesday afternoon an
nounced the resignation of Charles r.
Crane of Chicago as minister to
China.
In the conference between Secretary
of State Knox and Crane, the new
minister to China was called upon to
explain n leakage of official secrets
of high importance bearing upon the
critical situation in the Orient grow
ing out of the new treaty between
China and Japan.
The wires were busy between Sec
retary Knox in Washington and Pres.
ident Taft in California. After their
conference Crane returned to his no.
tel and Knox remained in secusion
at his home.
1t was announced, however, that
the two would meet again Tuesday,
when President Taft and Knox were
expected to have reached an agree
ment upon the course to be taken.
lndelicate Airing Given Secrets.
The case had a double aspect. The
one was merely that Cranes position
is in danger and the outlook is ex.
ceedingly blue for him.
The other was the fact that the cir
cumstance has brought about the ad.
mission to the diplomatic world that
the treaty forced upon China by Japan
contains clear infringement upon
the "open door" policy in Manchuria,
espoused by the late secretary of
state John Hay and firmly asserted
since that time by the United States.
In the opinion of the state depart
ment officials here, delicate situa-
ton had very indelicate airing,
which in turn dangerously handi-
capped the plans Of the state depart
ment.
Knox is very much displeased
man, so thoroughly as to warrant
Monday the statement that if his indi.
vidual view obtains Mr.. Crane would
never go to Pekin accredited by the
United States.
Hand of United States Laid Bare.
Cranes speeches about the country,
though in some phrases they may not
have been tactful, were not the basis
of the specific count against him. The
state department was particularly
aroused because of the new accounts,
widely published, in the country,
dealing with the new Chinese-Japa-
nese treaty and declaring that the
state department is preparing to pro-
test formally against this treaty for
the reason that it violates the open.
In, 30 Man
churia.
The hand of the United States is
now laid bare. The treaty gives the
Japs a monopoly of mining in Man
churia, and makes them virtually the
dictators of the railway situation
there
Crane was to have gone to Pekn
to sound the ministers and ambassa,
dors of other powers for their views
as to protest to the Japanese gov
ernment.
The purpose, OF course, was to feel
the way, in order to have the backing
of the other great powers. AS it is,
Japan is forewarned, and will eXer-
else her influence to prevent interna-
tional cooperation with the United
States.
Chicago Interview Deemed Serious.
While the speeches delivered by
Mr.. Crane before the American Asiat.
ic Association and at a dinner given
in his honor at Chicago are viewed at
the state department as having been
at best unwise and undiplomatic, they
had been carefully considered after
their delivery and before Crane start
ed for San Francisco, and, although
deprecated, were not regarded as jus
tifying any change In his plans.
The Chicago publication falls, how
ever. in the eyes of the department
into a category far more serious.