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George von Lengerke Meyer received the cable instructions. He was unable to see Count Lamzdorf personally because Lamzdorf is still confined to his room.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-06-24
Both Russia and Japan seem to be hesitating on the appointment of plenipotentiaries until they know the other’s appointments. To surmount this obstacle, George von Lengerke Meyer suggests that Russia sends the name of their potential plenipotentiaries to President Roosevelt, which would be kept secret until Japan did the same. Each country would have the right to change their appointments after the plenipotentiaries were announced.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-06-23
Ambassador Meyer writes to Secretary of State Hay regarding the selection of plenipotentiaries in the peace negotiations between Russia and Japan.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-06-23
Ambassador Meyer updates Secretary of State Hay on the progress of selecting diplomats to represent Russia in the upcoming peace negotiations.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-06-29
Ambassador Meyer writes to Secretary of State Hay concerning a translated article from the Russian newspaper “Novoe Vremya”. Meyer remarks that write ups in this newspaper have been tinged with negativity against the United States, and the newspaper has taken a neutral standpoint concerning Roosevelt’s efforts. Meyer then makes mention of President Roosevelt’s invitation for sending plenipotentiaries and plans for an armistice.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-06-21
Ambassador Meyer recommends forwarding to the Russian government some of the names of the Japanese diplomats in order to convince the Russians to select and announce their diplomats for the peace negotiations.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-06-29
George von Lengerke Meyer writes to Secretary of State Hay about a letter Meyer received from Russian Foreign Minister V. N. Lamzdorf. In the letter, Lamzdorf points out that the Imperial Government would like President Roosevelt to find out Japan’s viewpoint on an armistice and Japan’s plans for appointing plenipotentiaries. Meyer goes on to express his idea that both Japan and Russia should give their plenipotentiary nominations to Roosevelt, who will then share the nominations with each country’s ambassadors.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-06-23
Ambassador Meyer reports on diplomatic meetings in Russia. Emperor Nicholas II would like President Roosevelt to confirm that Japan has named its plenipotentiaries, so that Russia may name men of equal standing. The Minister of Foreign Affairs believes that matters should now be expedited and “an armistice considered and agreed upon.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-06-20
Ambassador Meyer writes to Secretary of State Hay regarding the appointment of Japanese and Russian plenipotentiaries, the diplomatic meeting place, and the plans for an armistice.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-06-20
Ambassador George von Lengerke Meyer updates President Roosevelt on the difficulties he has encountered trying to obtain Russia’s commitment to peace negotiations with Japan.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-06-18
Ambassador Meyer acknowledges Secretary of State Hay’s instructions regarding the approval of the Russian and Japanese diplomats in the upcoming peace negotiations.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-06-29
Late last night, Ambassador Meyer received a letter from Minister Lamzdorf informing him of Emperor Nicholas II’s decision to accept President Roosevelt’s invitation for peace talks with Japan. Meyer has had some frustrating and heated discussions with Lamzdorf and has had to threaten to take matters to the Emperor himself. Lamzdorf is eager to know who the Japanese plan to appoint as plenipotentiaries, so that Russia can choose its best representatives. Meyer hopes that Russia does not appoint Ambassador Nelidov who he considers to be “too old and nervous.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-06-18
George von Lengerke Meyer informs Secretary of State Hay that he has followed Hay’s instructions and is waiting for a reply from Ambassador Arthur Paul Nicholas Cassini. Meyer is also waiting to hear back from Emperor Nicholas II about a cable Hay sent to the czar.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-06-17
Ambassador Meyer informs President Roosevelt about a message from Russian Foreign Minister Lamsdorf who mentions that the Emperor consents to Washington as the choice for the diplomatic meeting regarding Russian and Japanese plenipotentiaries.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-06-17
Ambassador Meyer sends a message to Secretary of State Hay concerning a published interview which was taken from the Petit Parisien newspaper. Meyer suggests that a reporter made up the interview.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-06-17
Ambassador Meyer writes to Secretary of State Hay discussing the diplomatic meeting places which were being considered. According to Meyer, Foreign Minister Lamsdorf had informed Count Cassini that the Russians would prefer to meet at The Hague. However, President Roosevelt had already designated Washington as the diplomatic meeting place.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-06-16
A possible hitch in the negotiations occurred on June 11, when a representative of the Associated Press said that he feared there was bad faith on the part of Russia. This was due to a telegram sent out by Reuters saying that while Japan would nominate plenipotentiaries, Russia would only name representatives. The Reuters agent claimed to hear that information at the Foreign Office. The issue had not been raised by Tsar Nicholas II or Count Lamzdorf, and Meyer had received a formal acceptance that morning from Russia that used the word plenipotentiary.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-06-16
Ambassador Meyer was able to obtain an audience with Emperor Nicholas II. They discussed President Roosevelt’s propositions for peace. Nicholas II agreed to the propositions. He said that it was important that the meeting of the plenipotentiaries take place before Saghalien was attacked or occupied. Nicholas II hopes to see the old friendship between the United States and Russia renewed.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-06-16
Ambassador Meyer sends Secretary of State Hay a copy of the French text and a translation of Russia’s official note of acceptance to President Roosevelt’s invitation for the plenipotentiaries of Russia and Japan to meet to negotiate an end to the Russo-Japanese War. Count Lamzdorf has approved the translation.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-06-16
V. N. Lamzdorf has confirmed that The Hague is an acceptable place to Russia as a meeting place for the plenipotentiaries of Russia and Japan. He has cabled Russia’s ambassador to the United States, Count Cassini, to inform him of the same.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-06-15