Omaha daily bee., 1909-10-13
With Surrender of Commission New
Chapter is Written in Diplomacy.
ND1sCRET1ON IS THE CHARGE
History of Strange Affair Began One
Week Ago With Press Disclosures.
STATE OFFICIALS CRITICISED
Ousted Mans Defense Reflects se-
vereIy Upon Department Head and
May Cause EmbarraAsment-
Stir IL Created.

WASHINGTON, Oct R.-Charles r.
Crane Of Chicago minister designate to
China, today was practically deposed by
a demand from Secretary Knox for his
resignation.
Thus a new chapter in American diplo-
macy was written. A citizen, chosen with
special regard for his qualifications for
the post was recalled before he had en-
barked from San Francisco and discharged
from his high office because OF alleged in
discreet disclosures through the press.
Moreover, this minister, breaking through
all the old traditions, insisted on defend
ing himself from the aspersions cast upon
him by the secretary OF state by the is
suance Of a statement which most people
here comment upon as certain to be en-
barrassing to the administration.
The history OF this extraordinary affair,
which began about a week ago with the
announcement that Minister Crane had
been stopped at San Francisco at the mo-
ment Of embarkation for his post by a
demand from Secretary Knox for his re-
turn to Washington, reached at least its
first crisis soon after noon today. when
the secretary, in a formal statement, an
nounced that Mr.. Cranes resignation had
been invited and the minister designate
replied in an equally formal statement
that, although his resignation already had
been rendered to the president, he felt
himself unjustly treated.
Moreover. Mr.. Crane, in his statement
reflected severely upon the officials of the
StatA department. charging that not only
had they refrained from giving him the
instructions usually used to a minister or
ambassador about to leave for his post,
but that he had been denied access to
them even after he had made repeated
appointments with them.
He enters sweeping denial of the
charge that he gave out" a newspaper
story which is said to be the cause of his
deposition, and places squarely upon the
shoulders of President Taft the RESPONSE
bility for the various utterances he has
made regRrding conditions in the far east
which have aroused the ire of Secretary
Knox and for final action upon his reslg-
nation.
Mr.. Cranes statement is as follows:
THE statement issued by the Depart
ment Of State is slightly inaccurate in say
ing that the secretary has informed me
that my resignation Will be accepted The
letter received from Mr.. Knox at noon
| today says that he has recommended to
| the president that the president accept my
! resignation Before this letter had been
| received by me had already sent to the
president, through his secretary, Mr.. Car
penter, the following telegram:
" WASHINGTON, d. c.. oct. 12.-Presi.
dent w. II. Taft: The State department
objects to certain 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
| m In my fnd
been made except as the department has
made it a mistake. However, 1 did not
and cannot guarantee to make no mis-.
takes unless have cordial support and
| cooperation of the government
The matter in which the department
has proceeded and is proceeding is incon,
sistent with my own self respect and my
conception of the dignity of the position
and with the understanding upon which
accepted IT. I appreciate the personal con.
! sideration have received from you, and
under all circumstances have decided tc
/ await information as to your wishes be,
fore taking action. You will understand
Of course, that my resignation Is your
hands.
CHARLES r. CRANE
THE statement OF the department is fur.
ther inaccurate In saying that gave out
a newspaper story about the preparation
of protest in regard to the agreement
between China and Japan. It would hav,
been more accurate IL the statement hat
said, as was indicated in it's own closinl
paragraph, that a brief conversation OF
mine with a newspaper representative con
tributed to the publication by him Of a dis
cussion OF this agreement and the possi
bility of a protest by the government and
that the department regarded this con.
versation as indiscreet' The publication
referred to did not mention my name MOI
in my judgment would it have been 4
mistake If the Department Of State hat
not chosen to vouch for its accuracy ant
give to II an official significance by Il,
own conduct. II certainly contained moth
ing Of substance that was not matter OF
common knowledge or deducibIe by an,
competent newspaper reporter from fact.
commonly known. The substance, il no
the full text OF the agreement had beer
published and it's effect had been widel,
discussed AS an illustration OF this tn,
New York Herald had published on Sen
tember the following dispatch:
TOXIC, Wednesday.-The Toxic pres,
regrets that the jingo American press 4.
raising the usual protest against Japan re
garding the new China-Japanese conven
tion. 1t states that the Manchurian rail
ways are administered in accordance witt
Americas long-cherished motto OF the oper
door policy. Moreover IL adds, the con.
vention is now an accomplished fact and
America cannot change it. however mueF
1t may dislike IT,
The publication complained Of by tn,
State department was not made until Sen.
tember q. This also has a significant bear
ing on the reference TO recent eanards
IN the secretary's telegram to me at sar
/ Francisco.
In order to understand how this matter
came TO be mentioned. IL is necessary I,
make a brief explanation. When accepted
the appointment OF minister to China, a
the request Of the president, and afterward
/ he expressed the earnest wish thai tbs