Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-10-13
TAFT MUST SETTLE IT
Crane Issue Passes Beyond
State Department.
SECRETARY GOES HOME
Speculation as to Effect Of Incident
on Affairs in Far East.
AWAITING PRESIDENTS ACTION
Belief That In Demanding Mr.
Cranes Resignation Secretary
Was Sure of Endorsement.

The next step in the Crane embroglio
must be taken by President Taft. as he
alone has authority to terminate Mr..
Cranes Official connection with the gov
eminent. Mr.. Crane has placed his resig-
nation in the Presidents hands and Sec
rotary Knox has recommended Its &C
ceptance. So far as known here. the
President has not acted In the matter.
At any rate, Mr.. Crane said today he had
not received any response to his tele-
gram of resignation, and it was stated at
the White House and at the State De-
partment that nothing had been received
from the President on the subject.
Secretary Leaves City.
Secretary Knox left here this afternoon
for his home at Valley Forge. He said
there was nothing for him to do with re-
gard to the case Of Mr.. Crane. and that
so far as he was concerned 'it was a
closed incident" Although the President
has not yet announced his action, there
is no doubt expressed that he will sustain
Secretary Knox. Otherwise the latter
met.
Speculation was rife today as to the
possible effect of the incident on the flu
ture official relations of the United States
with both China and Japan.
1t Is admitted on sides that the situa-
ton Is extremely delicate, so far as con-
Germs both empires of the east Ac-
cording to one diplomatic authority. Japan
has right to feel that the American
Secretary Of State has impugned her mo-
tives In making the Manchurian treaty
with China. and publicly questions her
good faith in observing the agreement
to maintain an open door in China. The
latter government similarly feels SO it
is asserted. that she has been unjustly
criticised for her course in the matter.
Regarded as Significant.
Significance is given to these allega-
tons by the fact that both Japan and
China have been constrained to change
their diplomatic representatives in the
United States. and that the newly accred-
tied representatives are apparently de-
laying their progress toward Washington.
The result Is awaited with keen inter-
est in official and diplomatic circles.
The situation Is peculiar, and the only
explanation that suggests itself at this
moment is that the President has con-
ferred absolute power upon Secretary
Knox to act in his behalf, and that the
Secretary regards his letter of yesterday
demanding the ministers resignation as a
conclusion of the matter.
All Decline to Talk.
Newspaper reporters encountered some
thing like this today among the new as
sistant heads of departments:
my boy. I like you personally very
much, but the Crane case has taught me
the lesson Of saying little. 1 am afraid
1 have already talked too much
But the government IL not 50 stern
as to talking on matters other than
diplomacy"
again 1 express my painful regrets.
but I do not know how far this policy.
started by Secretary Knox. may extend.
For the present, at least, you will ex-
that would bring my name before the
public
At another department, where a mighty
good fellow Is next in position to the
head boss: IT haven't any news for you
today. but I viii give you little tip.
him so and so. But for heavens sake
don't mention that you saw me. By the
way that was a, hard blow to poor
Crane. He is fine fellow. and there
must be more back Of all this than the
fact that he talked on a subject that
the newspapers had discussed openly for
some time
Still another department: mo. I can't
talk to you about that case. 1t might get
me into trouble. You understand I would
do anything In the world to aid you. but
1 can't help you this time. Say. do you
know anything further about the Crane
case? He was pretty badly punished.
don't you think?
Chased as Closed Incident.
Frederick Carpenter. President Taft's
secretary, had not received any message
from the President late this afternoon In
reply to the telegram addressed to the
President by Charles r. Crane. although
1t is understood the President sent a
long cipher telegram to Secretary Knox
last night. So far as the White House is
concerned, the Crane incident is closed
The int!mation there was that as Mr..
Crane has resigned, and his resignation
Their to say. 1t Is generally regarded as
improbable the President would send
any answer to Mr.. Cranes message that
would conflict with the action taken by
his Secretary of State. Anything from
the President sympathizing with Mr..
Crane would arouse Mr.. Knox and start
trouble in the cabinet. Mr.. Knox has
acted upon the authority given all cabi-
net officers at the beginning Of the Taft
administration-full responsibility for
everything.
Mr.. Cranes Resignation.
Mr.. Crane was prompt in his response
to Secretary's Knox's demand for his
resignation for the good of the service. -
The Knox statement was made early In
the afternoon, and was at once given
out at the State Department An hour
afterward a messenger of the State De-
partment called at the Willard Hotel
with communication from Mr.. Knox
for Mr. Crane. who had heard the news
already, and was in his room cOnferring
with friends.
Mr.. Crane Immediately sent a telegram
to the President, placing his resignation
in his hands, and issued statement to
the public in explanation of his action.
Telegram to President.
The telegram to the President is as
follows:
Washington. October IL.
President William II. Taft:
THE State Department objects to GER
tain things 1 have done in the effort to
carry out my understanding of your
wishes as expressed by you to me-
have carefully considered the entire mat
ter In my judgment. no mistake has
been made except as the department
has made it a mistake However, I did
not and cannot guarantee to make no
mistakes. especially unless I have the
cordial support and cooperation of the
The manner in which the department
has proceeded and is proceeding is in
consistent with my own self-respect and
nv conception of the dignity OF the posi-
ton and with the understanding upon