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Senator Lodge relates an incident that occurred at the White House in which was unexpectedly asked by Herbert Parsons about his support for President Taft’s renomination as the Republican presidential candidate. He said that he supports Taft and knew that Theodore Roosevelt was not seeking the nomination.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-02-05
Senator Lodge has mailed the statement as requested by Theodore Roosevelt and agrees that the amendment was added to secure southern votes.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-02-07
Senator Lodge sends a positive report on C. S. Baxter who may visit Theodore Roosevelt on Monday.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-02-10
Senator Lodge is submitting an article to The Outlook on the last one hundred years of peace between the United States and Great Britain. Lodge fears a public debate on the arbitration treaties as it could damage relations with several foreign nations. He read in the newspaper that Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt was ill and hopes it is not serious.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-01-08
The Taft administration is prepared to accept Lodge’s resolution that will allow the Senate to “pass on the arbitrability of a question.” Senator Lodge is pleased with providing the Senate with this level of control even though it “makes the treaties of little value.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-01-10
Senator Lodge went through Senator Crane in order to impress upon the Taft administration the dangers of an open debate on the arbitration treaties. Lodge believes that his resolution will be suitable as it is of a general nature and will allow the treaty making powers of the United States to reject any question they choose.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-01-11
Senator Lodge’s amendment to the arbitration treaties will allow the United States to ignore any question it does not want to arbitrate as if the treaty did not exist. It is predicated upon the assumption that the president and Senate would never submit certain issues to arbitration, such as the Monroe Doctrine.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-01-13
Senator Lodges’ resolution will leave the arbitration treaties with “nothing but language and machinery.” He tried and failed to prevent public debate on the treaties. He also supports Theodore Roosevelt’s silence in the face of statements from the Taft administration.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-01-17
Senator Lodge enjoyed Theodore Roosevelt’s letter to Mr. Bloomer. He has been receiving “extraordinary” letters regarding the arbitration treaties–sentimental letters from clergy and self-interested letters from businessmen. Lodge does not expect the treaties to pass without some sort of ratifying resolution. The difficulties with the treaties started with a “loose speech” from President Taft followed by a “loose treaty” crafted without consulting the Senate. Taft then blamed the Senate, leading to division within the Republican Party and damage to the cause of peace.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-12-21
Dean Rogers of Yale Law School has been speaking out on the Russian arbitration treaty and described the Senate as silly. In reality, the Senate saved the situation for President Taft because Taft would have had to veto the House resolution. The clergy and peace associations have frightened several Senators but Senator Lodge expects that a ratification resolution will be part of the treaty.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-12-27
Senator Lodge encloses a letter from Herbert H. D. Peirce who has fallen on hard times but is facing these difficulties.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-01-03
Senator Lodge encloses a letter from Herbert H. D. Peirce that shows Peirce’s request is much less than Lodge supposed. He supports Theodore Roosevelt’s decision to stay silent regarding his intentions towards the presidential nomination. In a handwritten postscript, Lodge discusses the likely outcome of upcoming votes in the Senate. He believes the Root resolution will carry and his own amendment will be beaten. If both are beaten, he cannot vote for the treaties because they would cause misunderstandings rather than promote peace between nations.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-01-06
Senator Lodge is comfortable with states experimenting with the initiative and referendum but believes that this would be dangerous for the United States. If voters cannot select decent representatives they will certainly not be able to “legislate intelligently.” He is also concerned about the recall of judges and views the independent court as “essential to freedom.” Lodge agrees with Theodore Roosevelt’s refusal to publicly announce that he would not accept the presidential nomination. He sends his best wishes for Roosevelt’s silver wedding anniversary and will read Kermit Roosevelt’s article with great interest.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-12-18
Senator Lodge requests that Theodore Roosevelt read yesterday’s debate on the Russian arbitration resolution, particularly his own comments. He relates several amusing incidents that took place during the Senate debate. The entire problem could have been avoided months ago with better leadership from the Taft administration.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-12-20
Senator Lodge and Anna Cabot Mills Davis Lodge enjoyed the letters. Lodge had a good time in Raleigh, North Carolina, and will send a copy of his speech when it is printed.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-12-04
Senator Lodge was disappointed with the Massachusetts gubernatorial election, not just by Louis Adams Frothingham’s defeat but by the election of Governor Foss. Business and financial concerns led to many votes for Foss. The recent elections damaged Governor Wilson’s and Governor Harmon’s chances of being the Democratic nominee for president. Lodge expects the Democrats to nominate William Jennings Bryan or Champ Clark with Governor Foss as vice president. Lodge was pleased to hear of Theodore Douglas Robinson’s election victory.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-11-13
Senator Lodge agrees that the Russian treaty cannot continue unless Russia abides by the terms. Arbitration could strengthen the American position but this would only be an interpretation and the Russians would not change their position. Lodge met with a delegation of Jewish Americans who were reasonable and appreciated Theodore Roosevelt’s efforts. They simply believed that arbitration could never be successful. The campaign in Massachusetts appears promising and Lodge is relieved to hear of Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt’s condition.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-10-31
Senator Lodge agrees with Theodore Roosevelt’s thoughts on Russia but is still puzzled on the best course of action. There is certainly a difference between American travelers and Asian immigrants but Lodge does not want to force any class of citizens on a country. He is relieved to hear of Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt’s recovery.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-10-24
Senator Lodge was pleased with Theodore Roosevelt’s article on the arbitration treaties. Lodge is troubled by the thought that there are issues which the United States will never agree to arbitrate but that this fact is not present in the treaty. The public is not grasping this dichotomy and the portrayal of the treaty as a “peace” treaty sheds the Senate’s opposition in a poor light. The Outlook‘s claim that issues such as immigration or the Monroe Doctrine will never be submitted for arbitration misses the point. If the United States agrees to the current terms of the treaty, these issues can be arbitrated and the decision-making authority will be outside the “treaty-making authorities of the United States.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-09-09
Senator Lodge writes on behalf of Rev. C. A. Vincent, the pastor of a large Boston area Congregational Church. Vincent would like Theodore Roosevelt to speak in October at a meeting of the Men’s Bible Classes of Greater Boston.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-09-02