Letter from Whitelaw Reid to Theodore Roosevelt
Subject(s): Africa, East, Asquith, H. H. (Herbert Henry), 1852-1928, Balfour, Arthur James, 1848-1930, Benckendorff, Aleksandr Konstantinovich, Count, 1849-1917, Cambon, Pierre Paul, 1843-1924, Carpenter, John C. (John Condict), 1884-1933, Churchill, Winston, 1874-1965, Crewe, Robert Offley Ashburton Crewe-Milnes, Marquis of, 1858-1945, De Bille, Frantz E. (Frantz Ernst), 1832-1918, Derby, Ethel Roosevelt, Desborough, William Henry Grenfell, Baron, 1855-1945, Dinners and dining, Diplomatic etiquette, Edward VII, King of Great Britain, 1841-1910, France, Great Britain, Harcourt, Lewis Harcourt, Viscount, 1863-1922, Hayashi, Tadasu, 1850-1913, Hayes, Johnny, 1886-1965, International relations, Italy, Japan, Komura, Jutarō, 1855-1911, Lansdowne, Henry Charles Keith Petty-FitzMaurice, Marquess of, 1845-1927, Lee of Fareham, Viscount (Arthur Hamilton Lee), 1868-1947, Li, Hongzhang, 1823-1901, Li, Jingfang, 1854-1934, Lipton, Thomas Johnstone, Sir, 1850-1931, Marathon running, National characteristics, American, Olympic athletes, Olympic Games, Olympics--Political aspects, Pietri, Dorando, 1885-1942, Roberts, Frederick Sleigh Roberts, Earl, 1832-1914, Roosevelt, Edith Kermit Carow, 1861-1948, Roosevelt, Kermit, 1889-1943, Root, Elihu, 1845-1937, Running races, Russia, Safaris, South Africa, Sportsmanship, Sullivan, James E. (James Edward), 1862-1914, Travel--Planning, United States, Visits of state, White, Henry, 1850-1927, Wingate, F. R. (Francis Reginald), Sir, 1861-1953
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Whitelaw Reid updates President Roosevelt on diplomatic affairs in London. Reid has spoken with several British authorities regarding Roosevelt’s upcoming African safari. The Japanese Ambassador to Great Britain, Jutarō Komura, met with Reid at a luncheon given for members of the Olympic committee and emphasized that he and the Japanese Emperor recognized the United States as a friend. The Chinese Ambassador held a dinner and expressed friendly regard toward the United States. Reid provides a detailed description of two controversial Olympic races in London: in the 400 meter race, an American was disqualified for breaking the rules, and in the marathon, the Italian winner was disqualified in favor of an American. Reid notes that the American athletes, while somewhat justified in their frustrations, were seen by the British press as ill-mannered. Finally, Reid says he doubts that Roosevelt can make private visits to Paris and London on his way back from Africa without giving offense to government officials who would expect a state visit.
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1908-08-11
Creator(s)
Recipient
Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919
Language
English
Period
U.S. President – 2nd Term (March 1905-February 1909)
Repository
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Page Count
12
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 Whitelaw Reid to Theodore Roosevelt. [August 11, 1908]. Library of Congress Manuscript Division.
https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o59008. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
MLA:
Reid, Whitelaw, 1837-1912. Letter from Whitelaw Reid to Theodore Roosevelt. [11 Aug. 1908]. Multi-image.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. March 12, 2026. https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o59008.
APA:
Reid, Whitelaw, 1837-1912., [1908, August 11]. Letter from Whitelaw Reid to Theodore Roosevelt.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
Retrieved from https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o59008.
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. March 12, 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.
