Rockhill, William Woodville, 1854-1914

Memorandum from William Woodville Rockhill

Ambassador Rockhill provides additional information pertinent to efforts to localize the war in the Far East, which would require neutralization of territories that does not seem possible. A statement shared between China and Japan affirms China’s desire to remain neutral, although Rockhill notes that the arrival of neutral forces would disturb the people of China as well as the Imperial Court. The British and German governments do not agree with an interpretation of the 1900 Anglo-German treaty that would allow for the neutralization plan.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-02-06

Letter from William Woodville Rockhill to Elihu Root

The American China Development Company is negotiating development of the Canton-Hankow railway. China may have other foreign investors standing by. William Woodville Rockhill does not think the threat to American business is serious. Rockhill confirms the receipt of two telegrams, and transcribes a memorandum of the British Minister, a dispatch from the Foreign Office, and a note to the Foreign Office regarding the railroad.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-08-17

Letter from William Woodville Rockhill to Elihu Root

The United States will hold the Chinese government responsible for any losses incurred due to the anti-American boycott. Despite reports, Japan has not been aiding China. Transcribed are three messages to the Foreign Office and two newspaper articles, from the North China Daily Times and the Chefoo Daily News.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-08-17

Letter from William Woodville Rockhill to Theodore Roosevelt

William Woodville Rockhill recounts what occurred between the Dalai Lama and the Chinese government while the Dalai Lama was staying in Peking. Rockhill met with the Dalai Lama and offered advice to Agvan Dorjiev about whether or not the Dalai Lama should return to Lhasa and accept the removal of his temporal power. Rockhill believes that many of the reforms that China wishes to make would improve conditions in Tibet, while still allowing the Dalai Lama to maintain control over the Yellow Church.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-11-08

Letter from William Woodville Rockhill to Theodore Roosevelt

American Ambassador to China William Woodville Rockhill tells President Roosevelt about his recent meetings with the Dalai Lama. Rockhill met with the Dalai Lama twice in person, and was very impressed by his hospitality and composure. The Dalai Lama asked Rockhill’s opinion about the relations between India and Tibet, and gave Rockhill several gifts to present to Roosevelt. Rockhill assured the Dalai Lama that many people in America wished him well, and looked upon Tibet favorably. Rockhill congratulates Roosevelt on the nomination of Secretary of War William H. Taft as Republican candidate for president, and is sure that he will be elected.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-06-30

Letter from William Woodville Rockhill to Theodore Roosevelt

William Woodville Rockhill regrets to inform President Roosevelt that John Gardner Coolidge, who has been Secretary for the American Legation in China, would like to resign his position and return to the United States. Coolidge has no specific date in mind and will remain at his post until his successor arrives, but hopes that the successor will arrive within a few months. Rockhill recommends William Phillips, the current Second Secretary, for the position even though Phillips is still quite young.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-06-15

Letter from William Woodville to Theodore Roosevelt

William Woodville Rockhill, U.S. Minister to China, writes to President Roosevelt regarding Admiral Togo’s farewell address to Japan and discusses the current state of affairs.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-01-11

Letter from William Woodville Rockhill to Elihu Root

Minister Rockhill discusses the boycott of American goods in Canton, Tientsen, and Peking. Rockhill advises that the Consul General manage his interactions with the Viceroy of Canton in a different manner in order to end the boycott.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-10-04

Letter from William Woodville Rockhill to Elihu Root

William Woodville Rockhill writes to Elihu Root to discuss a translation of the Imperial edict banning boycotts of American goods in China.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-09-01

Telegram from William Woodville Rockhill to William Loeb

William Woodville Rockhill writes to William Loeb to discuss the current relationship between China and the United States. The Chinese imperial edict recognizes the long friendship between the United States and China and urges people to patiently wait while treaties are revised. Boycotts of American goods are discouraged.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-09-01

Letter from William Woodville Rockhill to Elihu Root

William Woodville Rockhill transcribes correspondence with Yikuang, of the Chinese foreign ministry, regarding the boycott.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-08-29

Telegram from William Woodville Rockhill to William Loeb

Chinese traders, not the government, are responsible for starting the boycott. The government fears disorder, but has taken action against the boycott to show American support.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-08-27

Letter from William Woodville Rockhill to Elihu Root

Shanghai is taking steps to end the boycott, which largely began there. Chinese employees are discouraged from spreading anti-American circulars, and many local authorities are prohibiting the influence of boycott supporters in their territories.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-08-26

Telegram from William Woodville Rockhill to William Loeb

The boycott shows signs of subsiding in Shanghai and elsewhere.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-08-26

Letter from William Woodville Rockhill to Elihu Root

William Woodville Rockhill encloses Chinese articles regarding the boycott. The boycott shows the weaknesses of the Chinese government while controlling its people.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-08-24

Letter from William Woodville Rockhill to Elihu Root

The Chinese Foreign Office has authorized local governments to cease the American boycott, realizing the severity of the situation after talks with the American China Development Company. William Woodville Rockhill is still gathering information about the agreement.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-08-18

Letter from William Woodville Rockhill to Elihu Root

William Woodville Rockhill has made reports to Secretary of State Root based on daily consular reports. The boycotts have little impact on many areas, but are taking hold in Yantai and Canton, though even there with little support from merchants. The situation is most serious in Shanghai, but American trade will recover and the opposition seems to be weakening. Enclosed are a telegram from Wilhelm Knappe and a Chinese news clipping about the boycotts.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-08-17

Letter from William Woodville Rockhill to Elihu Root

Chinese diplomats discuss the boycott of American goods and the Canton-Hankow Railway. Transcribed are conversations between E. T. Williams and H. E. Na-Tung, and a memorandum from the Foreign Office.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-08-14

Telegram from William Woodville Rockhill to Elihu Root

Minister Rockhill reports to Secretary of State Root that the foreign office denied any knowledge of cancelling the Hankow-Canton concession. The Chinese emperor directed Viceroy Zhidong Zhang to regain control of the railways, acting within his power.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-08-14

Letter from William Woodville Rockhill to Elihu Root

William Woodville Rockhill explains the situation in China surrounding the boycott of American goods. He also includes communication between him and the Consul Generals regarding the uprising.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-07-25