Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Hermann Speck von Sternburg
Subject(s): California--San Francisco, Espionage, Germany, Hawaii, Immigrants--Ethnic identity, International relations, International relations--Press coverage, Japan, Mexico, Military art and science, National characteristics, Race relations, Sternburg, Lillian May Speck von, Freifrau, 1875-1959, United States. Navy. Atlantic Fleet. Battleship Force, War--Causes, War--Forecasting
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President Roosevelt discusses his thoughts regarding tensions with Japan with German Ambassador Sternburg, and supposes that racial differences between Europeans and Japanese makes understanding between the two races difficult. In response to a report from Sternburg that Japanese immigrants in Mexico could attack the United States from there should conflict arise, Roosevelt says this action would do nothing but anger the United States. Roosevelt does not understand why Japanese immigrants want to come to America and become naturalized citizens, yet retain their Japanese identity. Roosevelt pledges to treat the immigrants with justice and to protect them if need be, while at the same time keeping the American fleet ready to sail at a moment’s notice. He does not believe there will be war, but will try to “prevent it from being disastrous” if it does. Roosevelt worries because the Japanese have formidable military power, and Americans suffer from a luxurious, modern life that makes them frivolous. Roosevelt is troubled by men who talk about peace but are really cowards. Roosevelt says his foreign policy is simple: to show other nations justice, courtesy, and considerations, and to receive the same in return.
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1907-07-16
Creator(s)
Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919
Recipient
Sternburg, Hermann Speck von, Freiherr, 1852-1908
Language
English
Period
U.S. President – 2nd Term (March 1905-February 1909)
Repository
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Page Count
5
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 Hermann Speck von Sternburg. [July 16, 1907]. Library of Congress Manuscript Division.
https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o199798. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
MLA:
Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919. Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Hermann Speck von Sternburg. [16 Jul. 1907]. Multi-image.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. May 8, 2026. https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o199798.
APA:
Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919., [1907, July 16]. Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Hermann Speck von Sternburg.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
Retrieved from https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o199798.
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. May 8, 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.
