Letter from Herman Bernstein to Theodore Roosevelt
Subject(s): Antisemitism, Genocide, International relations, Jews, American, Jews, Russian, Nicholas II, Emperor of Russia, 1868-1918, Passports, Religious discrimination, Revolution (Caucasus, South : 1905-1907), Revolution (Russia : 1905-1907), Russia (Federation), Treaties
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Herman Bernstein writes to Theodore Roosevelt after having read Roosevelt’s article “Peace of Righteousness.” Bernstein recalls having an agreeable meeting with Roosevelt, during which Roosevelt informed Bernstein he cannot, as a former President, write publicly on foreign matters. Bernstein urges him to reconsider.
Bernstein states that he understands foreign nations have no international legal standing to interfere with “Jewish massacres”, and that foreign nations cannot criticize the lack of reforms that had been codified in the Manifesto of October 17, 1905. However, Bernstein claims that Russia violated the Russo-America treaty of 1832 due to their treatment of Jewish Americans and states that by allowing in to continue, “Uncle Sam… should permit his ‘face to be slapped’ ” – quoting Roosevelt’s own words.
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1911-09-15
Creator(s)
Recipient
Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919
Language
English
Period
Progressive Party Candidate (1911-1912)
Repository
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Page Count
2
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 Herman Bernstein to Theodore Roosevelt. [September 15, 1911]. Library of Congress Manuscript Division.
https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o70536. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
MLA:
Bernstein, Herman, 1876-1935. Letter from Herman Bernstein to Theodore Roosevelt. [15 Sep. 1911]. Multi-image.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. January 23, 2026. https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o70536.
APA:
Bernstein, Herman, 1876-1935., [1911, September 15]. Letter from Herman Bernstein to Theodore Roosevelt.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
Retrieved from https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o70536.
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 23, 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.
