New-York tribune., 1920-02-25
Wilson Selects
C.. r. Crane for
Envoy to China
Chicago Millionaire, Once
Recalled on Way for In
discreet Remarks. To Re
Reappointed as Minister
Caused Diplomatic Stir
Appointee Halted at Coast
by Taft When Knox Said
He s'Talked Too Much,'

WASHINGTON, Feb. "a (By The As
sociated Press).-Charles r. Crane. of
Chicago. business man, millionaire and
world traveller, who was appointed
Minister to China by President Taft
in 1909 and recalled while on the way
to peking for talking too much," has
been selected by President Wilson for
the same post to succeed DR.. Paul
Reinsch.
Mr. Cranes selection by the Presi-
dent reopened chapter of diplomatic
history, which although forgotten by
many was one of the most lively in
eidents in American foreign relations.
Il was quite generally stated and
believed by many in touch with for
eign affairs, that Mr.. Cranes recall in
1908 was at the instance of the Jap
anese government, which was reported
not only to have regarded his appoint
ment as offensive but objected also to
man Wnom Mr.. Crane was taking as
private secretary and adviser and
who was quite we'll known for writings
construed as anti-Japanese.
Inside Story Never Revealed
None OF the real inside story of Mr..
Cranes recall appears on such diplo-
matte documents as were permitted to
become public, and as the records stand
Pres ident Iaft changed his mind about
Mr. Jranes S htness for the post in the
Far Fast, after agreeing with Secre-
tary Knox that Mr.. Crane had "talked
too much" and been "indiscreet" in
some OF the speeches he made while
or the way to San Francisco to take
an army transport for China.
MI Crane came again into public
notice during President Wilson'S Ad
minlstratlon when the Pres ident offered
nm the post Of Ambassador to Russia,
winch ne declined. Later Mr.. Crane
was member of the mission headed
by former Secretary Root which went
to Russia, and he generally has been
regarded in government circles as one
OF the few men who were "close to the
President"
u course, the Chinese government
has accepted Mr.. Crane as being per-
soma grata, as it had in 1909; other
wise, according to diplomatic procedure.
he would not have been selected again
Whether the Japanese government
knew OF President Wilson's intentions
to SEND Mr. Crane to China can only
be 2 conjecture, for while it is not
customary for one government to CON
suit third government on it's serec-
tons OF diplomats to be accredited to
another power some official folk in
Washington feel that in view of the
previous incident in which Mr.. Crane
Inquired, and the general aspects of the
SITUATION III the Far East, President
wilson probably would not have Sc
iected hlm without feeling that his
appointment would cause no disagree
abe incident between the United States
and Japan.
Quoted Taft in Speech
Mr. Crane was appointei Minister
TO China by President Taft in Septem-
ber' 1909, and in Chicago while on his
way to San Francisco, at a compliment
tary luncheon, quoted Mr. Taft as hav.
iMs told him of Americas interest in
NhINa welfare and having added that
whenever Mr.. Crane made a speech he
ought to speak it out red hot" That
utteFance seemed to attract no par
tieular attention and later Mr.. Crane
ATTENDED another luncheon at which
WI Iing-fang, Chinese Minister to the
United States, emphasized the friendly
interest the United States had in
China.
The storm did not break, however.
uh'll month later, when in San Fran
cisco Mr. Crane got brief telegram
from Secretary Knox, on the eve Of
embarklng, ordering him back to Wash
4ie1on. The reason for the sudden
ehange was not made public at that
tlnle, Mr. Crane processing ignorance
u II, put diplomats in Washington be-
ean talking about his speeches and it
pesan to leak out that some one was
offended.
1t finally developed that a story an
pearlng ia Western newspaper ac-
eredited to Mr.. Crane and represent
ing him as attacking the Manchurian
agreements between China and Japan,
was the real cause of his recall. The
story also appeared in the Japanese
press and caused a considerable re-
"cUoh IN Japan over the supposed
views OF the new Minister from the
united States to China.
''Indiscretion" Admitted
necretary Knox issued a statement
saying tnat while in the department
preparatory to leaving for his post Mr..
Nrahe had learned from minor officials
'"at the government was making an ex- |
aHlnatlon of those agreements and
without the knowledge or authority of
any one connected with the department
eaVe out newspaper story to the effect
% s"e. TINS government was preparing to
protest against some of the features
u the agreements and that the pro
.anulgation of the protest only awaited
sne return of an official who was to
formulate it."
.ss Secretary Knox's official statemen,
tcded that MIR. Crane had admitted
NaVihg an lndiscreet talk with a re-
porter and that he had Reluctantly |
teached the conclusion that the good Of |
me service demands that l shall in |
form form MIR. Grant that his resignation
WI VIII be accepted, and l have done So" I
sfes'dent Taft told Mr. Crane that he
sWoicurred in the views of Secretary
anon Mhox and greatly regretted the cir
cumstance"