Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Sir Cecil Spring Rice
Subject(s): Aggression (International law), Caribbean Area, China--Lüshun, China--Manchuria, Civilization, Modern, Cuba, Democracy, Despotism, Diplomacy, Diplomatic negotiations in international disputes, England, Ethnic relations, France, Harvard College (1780- ), Imperialism, International relations--Political aspects, Ireland, Japan, Japanese--Politics and government, Kaneko, Kentarō, 1853-1942, Korea, Lesser Antilles--West Indies, French, Liberty, Philippines, Presidents--Nomination, Race relations, Representative government and representation, Republican National Committee (U.S.), Russia, Russians, Russo-Japanese War (1904-1905), Spring Rice, Florence, Takahira, Kogoro, Baron, 1854-1926, West Indies--British West Indies, Yellow Sea
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President Roosevelt gives Cecil Spring Rice his assessment on the Russo-Japanese War. Roosevelt is not concerned with the emergence of Japan as a world power and does not think that Japan will become more aggressive. Roosevelt is concerned that Russia must be contained, but insists to Spring Rice that the U.S. has no intention of intervening in the war. In a postscript, Roosevelt discusses the differences between Japanese and American culture and diplomacy, and reflects on race and culture.
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1903-06-13
Creator(s)
Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919
Recipient
Spring Rice, Cecil, Sir, 1859-1918
Language
English
Period
U.S. President – 1st Term (September 1901-February 1905)
Repository
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Page Count
8
Production Method
Record Type
Multi-image
Resource Type
Rights
These images are presented through a cooperative effort between the Library of Congress and Dickinson State University. No known restrictions on publication.
Citation
Cite this Record
Chicago:
Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Sir Cecil Spring Rice. [June 13, 1903]. Library of Congress Manuscript Division.
https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o188381. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
MLA:
Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919. Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Sir Cecil Spring Rice. [13 Jun. 1903]. Multi-image.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. January 30, 2026. https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o188381.
APA:
Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919., [1903, June 13]. Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Sir Cecil Spring Rice.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
Retrieved from https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o188381.
Cite this Collection
Chicago:
Library of Congress Manuscript Division. https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/collection/library-of-congress-manuscript-division. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
MLA:
Library of Congress Manuscript Division. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. January 30, 2026. https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/collection/library-of-congress-manuscript-division.
APA:
Library of Congress Manuscript Division. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. Retrieved from https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/collection/library-of-congress-manuscript-division.
