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Secretary of State Root teases President Roosevelt for his tardiness for by writing, “It is hereby ordered that $2.50 be deducted from the President’s salary for his being late at the office Saturday April 11th, 1908,” and signs the note from Supreme Court Justice David J. Brewer.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-04-11
In light of the most recent report by Secretary of the Navy Victor Howard Metcalf, Secretary of State Root recommends that no further action be taken by Congress in regard to setting up a system of government for American Samoa. The natives there already have a “just conception” of the type of government that best suits them and interference from Congress would make a mess of it.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-04-02
Secretary of State Root tells Ambassador to Germany Tower that the department is surprised to hear that Emperor William II disapproves of the appointment of David Jayne Hill as Tower’s successor. Emperor William had agreed to Hill’s appointment before it was publicly announced. Root does not see how anything can be changed at this stage. They await Tower’s letter to President Roosevelt.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-03-25
Secretary of State Root believes that some of the current awkwardness and unpleasant feelings in Germany could be relieved if Ambassador Tower takes a leave of absence and leaves Berlin quietly, rather than waiting until June when his resignation takes effect.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-03-25
Secretary of State Root asks President Roosevelt if he has any objection to the telegram. He believes there should be something done for Ambassador to Germany Tower without delay.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-03-25
Secretary of State Root informs President Roosevelt that from now on he will ensure work on Sundays is strictly confined to the secretary and assistant secretary. Root asks if they can work on matters regarding the Far East on Sunday, and focus on the Near East and Europe on Monday. A handwritten note at the bottom from Roosevelt reads, “Dear Nannie, This is a characteristic Rootian note.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-03-27
Secretary of State Root sends an enclosed dispatch from Minister to Persia John B. Jackson, which shows the effects of President Roosevelt’s appointment of him as a matter of favor rather than his qualifications. With Persia currently undergoing a revolution, the Department of State already has enough trouble. Root has drafted a response and waits for Roosevelt’s instructions.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-12-23
Secretary of State Root has enclosed a sealed letter for President Roosevelt from the Japanese Ambassador in Rome, Baron Kogoro Takahira.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-12-04
Secretary of State Root encloses a copy of a dispatch from Ambassador Whitelaw Reid wherein he transmits copies of telegrams congratulating President Roosevelt on his birthday. At a dinner party on October 27, Reid gave a toast to the president.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-11-16
Secretary of State Root describes the measures American immigration officials want the Imperial Japanese Government to undertake. Such measures would limit the immigration of Japanese and Korean laborers to the mainland United States and Hawaii with particular emphasis on stricter control over passports provided for Japanese and Korean laborers along with harsher punishments for immigrants who violate said policies. Root concludes that the Imperial Government has not been successful in curbing the number of immigrants and that this report should be sent to the Japanese Minister for Foreign Affairs Tadasu Hayashi.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-11-18
With Canadian Member of Parliament Rodolphe Lemieux currently in Japan discussing Canadian policies on Japanese immigration to British Columbia, Secretary of State Root telegraphs the State Department’s recommendations for new regulations on immigration to Ambassador Thomas J. O’Brien rather than mailing them.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-11-19
Secretary of State Root wants to impress upon the Japanese Foreign Office that the next session of Congress will likely have a strong contingent pushing for exclusion legislation barring all Japanese foreign workers from entering the country. The only way to prevent such legislation from passing is by effectively enforcing the current restrictive immigration policy, which up until now has not been done.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-11-09
Secretary of State Root encloses an invitation for the United States to participate in the proposed national exposition to be held in Tokyo in 1912. Root recommends Congress accept the invitation and begin appropriating money at once, recalling that the four and a half years the United States had to prepare for the French Exposition in 1900 had only barely been enough time.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-11-11
Secretary of State Root instructs Ambassador Reid to thank King Edward VII for his birthday congratulations on behalf of President Roosevelt.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-10-31
Secretary of State Root believes that the report made by Representative William S. Bennet could provide the basis on which to approach the Greek government to restrict the number of Greek foreign workers coming to the United States. Such an agreement with a European nation, according to President Roosevelt, could alleviate tensions with Japan.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-10-28
In a short note, Secretary of State Root tells President Roosevelt that he likes Roosevelt’s Thanksgiving proclamation very much.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-10-26
Secretary of State Root feels President Roosevelt’s Provincetown speech is strong and presents Roosevelt’s view “with great force.” He offers some points of revision, in particular removing the reference to receivership. Root believes they can better discuss the Japanese situation in person than in letters. Overall, Root thinks the tendency leans towards a war occurring several years in the future.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-08-08
Secretary of State Root believes that officials of San Francisco, California, are smugly pursuing policies that will insult and irritate Japan and will result in war. He believes that a letter like the one written by Charles Denby should be sent to Governor James Norris Gillett of California and notes the disinclination of Germany to get along with Japan.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-07-21
Secretary of State Root understands President Roosevelt’s selection of James Buchanan Aleshire for appointment as Quartermaster General. Root has returned Henry Cabot Lodge’s letter about Harvard’s commencement. Regarding the work of the Hague, Root reports that the armament question will be shelved. The United States delegates to the Hague have asked for instruction on two matters: the form of the contract debt provisions and voting on a declaration of war.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-07-08
Secretary of State Elihu Root encloses a letter from Japanese Ambassador Shūzō Aoki, telling President Roosevelt that it is proof that the conflict between Japanese interests and San Francisco is proceeding as an ordinary diplomatic issue, and that newspapermen are creating more drama than there is to enhance sales.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-06-07