Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Philander C. Knox
Subject(s): Alaska, Australia, Bartholdt, Richard, 1855-1932, Bills, Legislative, Burton, Theodore E. (Theodore Elijah), 1851-1929, California. Legislature, Canada, Central America, Cuba, Emigration and immigration--Government policy, Emigration and immigration--Social aspects, Foster, John W. (John Watson), 1836-1917, Germany, Great Britain, Hale, Eugene, 1836-1918, Imperialism, International relations, Japan, Long, John Davis, 1838-1915, McCall, Samuel W. (Samuel Walker), 1851-1923, Nevada. Legislature, Perkins, George C. (George Clement), 1839-1923, Perkins, James Breck, 1847-1910, Philippines, Race discrimination, Race relations, Racism, Russia, Russo-Japanese War (1904-1905), Stanton, Philip A. (Philip Ackley), 1868-1945, Sugar plantations, Sugar workers, Taft, William H. (William Howard), 1857-1930, Tawney, James A. (James Albertus), 1855-1919, Toleration, United States, United States. Congress. Senate, United States. Navy, Venezuela
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President Roosevelt advises Senator Knox, who will be president-elect William H. Taft’s secretary of state, on the importance and fragility of the relationship between the United States and Japan. Roosevelt explains why he believes that there is a real possibility that Japan will declare war on the United States, although this is by no means certain. Currently, many Americans are pursuing ineffectual and offensive strategies in an effort to prevent Japanese immigration to the United States. Roosevelt supports their goal but not their means. In Hawaii, meanwhile, Roosevelt disapproves of sugar planters encouraging large numbers of settlers from China and Japan to come work on their plantations. Roosevelt feels that the settlement of Hawaii by individuals from Southern Europe should be encouraged. His more general policy is threefold. He wants the government to prevent Japanese citizens from settling in America, while treating Japan “so courteously that she will not be offended more than necessary,” and building up the navy as a preventative measure. Although the value of this policy should be self-evident, Americans “are shortsighted and have short memories.”
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1909-02-08
Creator(s)
Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919
Recipient
Knox, Philander C. (Philander Chase), 1853-1921
Language
English
Period
U.S. President – 2nd Term (March 1905-February 1909)
Repository
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Page Count
7
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 Philander C. Knox. [February 8, 1909]. Library of Congress Manuscript Division.
https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o206503. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
MLA:
Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919. Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Philander C. Knox. [8 Feb. 1909]. Multi-image.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. February 27, 2026. https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o206503.
APA:
Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919., [1909, February 8]. Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Philander C. Knox.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
Retrieved from https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o206503.
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. February 27, 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.
