Kaneko, Kentarō, 1853-1942

President Roosevelt apologizes to Baron Kaneko for failing to reply to his “very courteous letter.” Roosevelt sometimes shares his letters from “Japanese friends” with Senator Henry Cabot Lodge and William Sturgis Bigelow, and perhaps it was not returned to Roosevelt in order to make a timely and appropriate reply. Roosevelt treasures the armor given to him by Emperor of Japan Meiji stating “it will be an heirloom for my children’s children.” Roosevelt wishes the Baron and his family well and shares news about his children and other current affairs. 

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-10-10

President Roosevelt thanks Baron Kentarō Kaneko for the telegram in the wake of the San Francisco earthquake and fire. While it is not as bad as the suffering brought about by the famine in Japan it is still a calamity, and he appreciates Kaneko’s sympathy.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-04-23

President Roosevelt is pleased to hear that Kentarō Kaneko arrived safely and sends his good wishes to his wife and children. Roosevelt’s daughter Alice praised the family’s courtesy while she was in Japan.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-11-28

President Roosevelt thanks Kentarō Kaneko for the “beautiful embroideries” he sent. He and Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt send their regards to Kaneko’s wife.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-09-18

President Roosevelt sends Kentarō Kaneko a photograph of himself to show Emperor Meiji of Japan. Roosevelt also expresses his appreciation for Kaneko’s services during the peace negotiations and maintaining contact between Japan and the United States.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-09-11

President Roosevelt hopes to have Baron Kaneko for lunch once the peace settlement is assured. He hopes that the Japanese will publicly tout how much they have won.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-09-02

Following up on his letter of the previous day, President Roosevelt argues that it is both in the self-interest of Japan, as well as in the interest of the world, for Japan to make peace with Russia. He reminds Baron Kaneko of the various territorial gains Japan has already made, and suggests that continuing the war would cost Japan more money than it would stand to gain from Russia. Roosevelt also suggests that the world is looking to Japan to take a position of leadership and act nobly in bringing the Russo-Japanese war to an end.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-08-23

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-07-29

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Recipient

Kaneko, Kentarō, 1853-1942

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-07-18

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Recipient

Kaneko, Kentarō, 1853-1942

President Roosevelt thanks Baron Kentarō Kaneko for the letter, and says that he believes he has done all he can to ensure peace, and hopes it will be successful.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-06-24

President Roosevelt congratulates Baron Kentarō Kaneko on Japan’s naval success.  

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-05-31

President Roosevelt thanks Japanese Special Envoy Kentarō Kaneko for the newspaper he sent, and asks to meet with him before Roosevelt travels West.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-03-11

President Roosevelt thanks Baron Kentarō Kaneko for the letter and is interested in the abstract by the Yale faculty members. He has several matters to discuss at their next visit.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-02-11

President Roosevelt thanks Kentarō Kaneko for the books. He especially enjoyed the book about Bushido. Roosevelt believes that Japan has a lot to offer the world and hopes that one day all nations can “live together in peace and friendship,” so that it will be possible to teach and learn from each other. He has learned a great deal from reading about the “fine Samurai spirit” and sees how the concept can be applied to international relations.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-04-23

President Roosevelt enjoyed the recent visit from Baron Kaneko and Ambassador Kogoro Takahira and thanks Kaneko for the two books he sent. Roosevelt was pleased to learn that Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes and Kaneko are well acquainted.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-03-31

Seth Low congratulates Kentarō Kaneko on the peace between Japan and Russia. Low assures Kaneko that the Portsmouth Treaty brought the best possible outcome for Japan.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-08-31

Minister Komura sends to Minister Kaneko a translation of the Imperial Government’s reply to President Roosevelt’s letter. The reply expresses how much the Japanese government appreciates Roosevelt’s “sincere and useful advice” and his efforts on behalf of peace.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-08-26

President Roosevelt likes the photograph and thanks Baron Kentarō Kaneko for sending it.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-05-29