Spring Rice, Cecil, Sir, 1859-1918 | - Theodore Roosevelt Center

Cecil Spring Rice was glad to receive Theodore Roosevelt’s letter and to hear about Kermit Roosevelt. Rice enjoys seeing Roosevelt as a grandfather. He discusses the adjustment from the “strenuous life” to a “quiet” life. Rice also gives his opinion on contemporary politics in America and England.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-09-24

Creator(s)

Spring Rice, Cecil, Sir, 1859-1918

Letter from Cecil Spring Rice to Theodore Roosevelt

Cecil Spring Rice explains the political maneuvering he is witnessing in St. Petersburg. Germany has been seeking an alliance with Russia, much to France’s dismay. Germany and France are promising to help Russia defeat Japan. As Japan suffers under a blockade enforced by Russia, the United States and Britain will be unable to prove their support of Japan. Japan will have to acquiesce to Russian demands. Britain and the United States will be excluded from international negotiations and will find themselves increasingly isolated. Spring Rice writes that Kaiser Wilhelm has been working to create a good relationship with Emperor Nicholas II so as to be allowed more influence over Europe. The two rulers seem to be preparing to support each other in efforts to quell internal revolutions, too. Spring Rice disparages Ambassador McCormick’s abilities to be the representative of the United States in Russia.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-12-07

Creator(s)

Spring Rice, Cecil, Sir, 1859-1918

Letter from Cecil Spring Rice to Theodore Roosevelt

Cecil Spring Rice sends best wishes for the new year. His letter varies in tone from reflective to humorous. After joking about President Roosevelt’s famous line about a big stick, Spring Rice discusses the determination of the Japanese and the Russian soldiers fighting in Manchuria. The British and the American embassies in St. Petersburg are scenes of intrigue as Russian agents try to steal diplomatic secrets.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-12-06

Creator(s)

Spring Rice, Cecil, Sir, 1859-1918

Letter from Cecil Spring Rice to Theodore Roosevelt

Cecil Spring Rice congratulates President Roosevelt on the election results. There is tension in Russia. He writes about the North Sea Incident (also known as the Dogger Bank Incident). He was disappointed by Prime Minister Arthur James Balfour’s speech. Having agreed to an international commission to review the actions of the Russian navy and the British fishing boats, Balfour should not have declared that the Russians were guilty. Until the British made naval preparations, the Russians were refusing to investigate. Diplomatic requests are not recognized by the Russians unless backed by force, according to Spring Rice. Spring Rice notes that Germany’s embassy is busy visiting and bringing messages to the Russian government. Germany is aiding Russia in the Far East so as to get leverage in Europe. Spring Rice believes the goal is to bring England into war with Russia. Spring Rice does not believe Robert Sanderson McCormick, the American ambassador, is suited to work in Russia.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-11

Creator(s)

Spring Rice, Cecil, Sir, 1859-1918

Letter from Cecil Spring Rice to Theodore Roosevelt

Cecil Spring Rice tells President Roosevelt that he has a friend, Valentine Chirol, who is currently en route to the United States, and asks if Roosevelt would be willing to speak with him. Spring Rice vouches for Chirol, and mentions the work he did in England during the Spanish-American war advocating for the United States, as well as his subsequent activities of traveling and writing.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-11-09

Creator(s)

Spring Rice, Cecil, Sir, 1859-1918

Letter from Cecil Spring Rice to Theodore Roosevelt

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1910-04-21

Creator(s)

Spring Rice, Cecil, Sir, 1859-1918

Recipient

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Language

English

Letter from Cecil Spring Rice to Theodore Roosevelt

Cecil Spring Rice was delighted with Theodore Roosevelt’s letter and pleased with his remarks about India. He will stop bothering Roosevelt about sleeping sickness, but reminds him to listen to the locals’ advice and take the simple and necessary precautions against the tsetse flies. It would be wise for him to be cautious as many things need to be done and Roosevelt is the only one that can do them. Spring Rice comments on European relations and the strength of force Germany and Austria have over Europe. He wonders what Roosevelt thinks of the American tariff bill and hopes he has a “glorious time” on his safari.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1909-04-02

Creator(s)

Spring Rice, Cecil, Sir, 1859-1918

Letter from Cecil Spring Rice to Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt

Cecil Spring Rice asks Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt if President Roosevelt would be his son’s godfather, which would simply give permission to use the name. He will be leaving for Stockholm, but Florence Spring Rice, who handled the pregnancy well, will of course be staying home.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-09-15

Creator(s)

Spring Rice, Cecil, Sir, 1859-1918

Letter from Cecil Spring Rice to Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt

Cecil Spring Rice informs Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt that his friend Edward Ashley Walrond Clarke, British Consul General to Zanzibar, has promised to look after President Roosevelt. He discusses the Turkish reform movement, its influences, and global impact. The British have appealed to William II, Emperor of Germany, to stop arming.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-09-06

Creator(s)

Spring Rice, Cecil, Sir, 1859-1918

Letter from Cecil Spring Rice to Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt

Sir Cecil Spring Rice writes a friendly letter to Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt on a variety of topics. He understands what is happening, and says there is a similar movement in England. Spring Rice talks about the effects of an increased tariff at the end of the Boer War, and how it affected the national character of England. Common people suffered while businesses took advantage of things, similar to the situation in America. He believes that President Roosevelt may have greater moral force to provide an example of how to live once he leaves office, as his authority will be within his own character and not the office then. Spring Rice has been skiing recently, and has enjoyed his time and the people he has met. He wishes he could visit the United States, but does not think he will be able to soon.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-02-16

Creator(s)

Spring Rice, Cecil, Sir, 1859-1918

Letter from Cecil Spring Rice to Theodore Roosevelt

Cecil Spring Rice informs President Roosevelt of his recent illness and encourages him to take his children to the doctor if any of them have stopped up noses. Due to his illness he has had to leave Perisa, but Spring Rice tells Roosevelt that he will either take a quiet post or retire when he has recovered. Spring Rice suggests that newspapers are in the hands of Roosevelt’s enemies and are hostile at heart. Spring Rice believes that there is little that can be done to avoid challenging racial difficulties in the future, as the Muslims in the world have had enough of Christian aggression. However, the English government is mostly concerned with internal affairs and has mostly ignored questions of foreign policy. Spring Rice worries about relations between Germany and England and believes that Germany might attack England at some point in the future. He concludes with his well wishes for Christmas and mentions that his wife Florence Spring Rice hopes to see Roosevelt soon.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-12-04

Creator(s)

Spring Rice, Cecil, Sir, 1859-1918

Letter from Cecil Spring Rice to Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt

Cecil Spring Rice thanks Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt for her letter and gives personal updates on his life. He wishes he could bring his wife to see Roosevelt, but she is in London and is expecting a baby soon. Spring Rice wishes he could be with her, but is doing his duty in St. Petersburg. He comments on the state of politics in Russia, particularly between Sergei Witte and Pyotr Durnovo. The Emperor believes the army is loyal to him, but Spring Rice believes that the situation will not last very long and that a revolution will come sooner or later. He mentions the San Francisco earthquake, commenting on how well the military responded and how quickly the city is likely to be rebuilt.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-04-25

Creator(s)

Spring Rice, Cecil, Sir, 1859-1918