Spring Rice, Cecil, Sir, 1859-1918

President Roosevelt sends Cecil Spring Rice the text of two letters that he sent to Kentarō Kaneko, a member of the Japanese delegation in the peace talks to end the Russo-Japanese War. He urged Kaneko and Japan to accept a peace agreement, rather than simply continuing the war in hopes of getting a large sum of money from Russia in the form of an indemnity. Roosevelt believes that without his intervention, Russia and Japan could not have made peace.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-09-01

President Roosevelt asks that Cecil Spring Rice give his regards to Lord Henry Charles Keith Petty-FitzMaurice Lansdowne. Roosevelt writes at length about the current state of international affairs and of relationships between different nations. He feels that it is not in Japan’s interest to extend the Russo-Japanese War for another year and explains his actions in pressing for peace negotiations between the two powers. Roosevelt also discusses his efforts urging the United States to interpret the Monroe Doctrine in an active way and remarks upon the recent death of Secretary of State John Hay.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-07-24

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-06-16

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Recipient

Spring Rice, Cecil, Sir, 1859-1918

As requested by German Ambassador Hermann Speck von Sternburg, President Roosevelt asks Sir Cecil Spring Rice where he obtained his information regarding alleged international alliances and hostilities.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-05-26

President Roosevelt disagrees with an informant of Cecil Spring Rice’s regarding the comparative strengths of the Russian and Japanese fleets in a naval battle near Port Arthur, and details his reasoning. Roosevelt enjoyed seeing Spring Rice recently. He comments that he is having some troubles in Washington, D.C., and jokingly proposes sending “eminent statesmen at the other end of Pennsylvania Avenue” to be bodyguards for imperiled Russian nobility.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-02-27

President Roosevelt gives Cecil Spring Rice his assessment on the Russo-Japanese War. Roosevelt is not concerned with the emergence of Japan as a world power and does not think that Japan will become more aggressive. Roosevelt is concerned that Russia must be contained, but insists to Spring Rice that the U.S. has no intention of intervening in the war. In a postscript, Roosevelt discusses the differences between Japanese and American culture and diplomacy, and reflects on race and culture.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-06-13

President Roosevelt shared two letters from Sir Cecil Spring Rice with John Hay.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-03-21

President Roosevelt says that Cecil Spring Rice’s recent letter about the Russo-Japanese war interested him. Roosevelt admires much about the Russians but thinks that they can never be successful with such a despotic government in place; while the Japanese, though “non-Aryan and non-Christian,” have a less despotic government and so are more successful at the present time. The United States intends to remain neutral in the conflict, but Americans generally sympathize with the Russians. If the Japanese win, the world “will have to reckon with a great new force in eastern Asia.” However, Roosevelt believes that the war will end in a stalemate which will not allow “the creation of either a yellow peril or a Slav peril.” While Roosevelt does not believe that either England or the United States are in immediate danger, it does concern him that neither have much military experience. Roosevelt closes by urging Spring Rice to bring his wife as soon as they are married, and says that it will be fun to host them at the White House.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-03-19

President Roosevelt was sad to hear that Cecil Spring Rice will not receive a position in Washington, D. C. Roosevelt and Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt have enjoyed the books sent by Spring Rice. Roosevelt reflects on the differences of Persian culture. He believes the Panama treaty will pass and the canal will begin construction. Roosevelt is confident the Panama Canal will be a benefit to mankind.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-01-18

President Roosevelt invites Cecil Spring Rice to visit the United States and see how he is managing things in the White House.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1901-11-07

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1897-08-20

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Recipient

Spring Rice, Cecil, Sir, 1859-1918

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1897-08-13

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Recipient

Spring Rice, Cecil, Sir, 1859-1918

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1897-05-29

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Recipient

Spring Rice, Cecil, Sir, 1859-1918

Assistant Secretary of the Navy Roosevelt chides Cecil Spring Rice for not replying to his or Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt’s letters and suggests possible reasons why. Roosevelt enjoys his new position, although he will not see much of his family. He is proud of what he accomplished as police commissioner but reached a point where he could not do anything else.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1897-04-28

Sir Lansdowne explains what he believes will happen with the peace talks. He does not believe that England will need to do anything for peace to be brought about.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-08-07