Alliances

It is reported that Great Britain has offered to enter into an alliance with France against Germany. This may appeal to France if she cannot come to an arrangement with Germany regarding Morocco. Although France has offered Germany a “sphere of interest” in Morocco, Germany has pledged to stand by the Sultan of Morocco. President Roosevelt is asked to suggest that a conference would be the best means to finding a peaceful solution to the “Morocco question.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-06-11

Creator(s)

Unknown

Cecil Spring Rice explains the political maneuvering he is witnessing in St. Petersburg. Germany has been seeking an alliance with Russia, much to France’s dismay. Germany and France are promising to help Russia defeat Japan. As Japan suffers under a blockade enforced by Russia, the United States and Britain will be unable to prove their support of Japan. Japan will have to acquiesce to Russian demands. Britain and the United States will be excluded from international negotiations and will find themselves increasingly isolated. Spring Rice writes that Kaiser Wilhelm has been working to create a good relationship with Emperor Nicholas II so as to be allowed more influence over Europe. The two rulers seem to be preparing to support each other in efforts to quell internal revolutions, too. Spring Rice disparages Ambassador McCormick’s abilities to be the representative of the United States in Russia.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-12-07

Creator(s)

Spring Rice, Cecil, Sir, 1859-1918

The writer explains Emperor William II’s concerns regarding the concentration of power between certain European countries. The writers states the conditions under which Germany would be willing to attend a conference to discuss the issues in Morocco.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-05-31

Creator(s)

Unknown

The god of war is bound by garlands labeled “Dreibund” Alliance” and “Alliance’ [a reference to the Triple Entente]. The ends of the garlands are pulled by Germany, Austria, and Italy on one side, with Russia and the Ottoman Empire tugging at another end, and John Bull, representing Great Britain, and Japan tugging at yet another end. The figure of “Peace” enters on the left carrying more garlands. Caption: National alliances as promoters of universal peace.

comments and context

Comments and Context

In 1902 the world looked with plausible optimism on the international “harmony” represented by the Triple Alliance and the Triple Entente. Under different names, and inevitably shifting signatories, as well as secret treaties and diplomatic understandings, these international arrangements were viewed as guarantors of world peace. As the world discovered a dozen years later, these alliances only postponed and arguably facilitated a world war. Nations, in the end, were positioning and re-positioning themselves for the devastating Great War. Puck, often a prescient seer, was seldom more of a Pollyanna than in this cartoon.

Collection

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

Theodore Roosevelt acknowledges John H. Finley’s alliance with the Progressive Party, as reported by Oscar S. Straus. Roosevelt suggests Finley meet with Judge William H. Hotchkiss.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-07-12

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Theodore Roosevelt thanks Charles J. Bonaparte for telling him about “the suits.” Roosevelt feels the same as Bonaparte about the “alliance.” Roosevelt does not “know enough of them to join.” His reluctance is heightened because “the special sponsor for [his] own State is Senator Depew.” Roosevelt did not join the Progressive League.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-07-28

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Theodore Roosevelt does not understand Leopold James Maxse of the National Review who is being “severe” towards the United States and the role Jews play in British society. Maxse supported William H. Taft and is supporting President Wilson even though they do not want the United States to do its duty towards Great Britain. American public opinion is shifting towards Britain and the allies. Wilson is pursuing a policy that will appease the pacifists and not antagonize the allies. Roosevelt hopes Britain will not provoke the United States and other neutrals by violating the rules laid out in the Hague Conventions. He is anxious over German submarines disrupting commerce and chagrined at the German victory in East Prussia. However, Roosevelt believes that Germany will be defeated if the allies remain united.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-02-26

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Theodore Roosevelt is humiliated by the Wilson administration and angered by the attitude of “professional German Americans.” However, there are many German Americans who do not sympathize with Germany. Americans do not understand foreign affairs and many will simply follow where the president leads. Roosevelt agrees that each nation must look out for itself but suggests that in twenty-five years Great Britain could be allying with Germany against Russia.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-02-09

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Silas McBee understood the distinction Theodore Roosevelt was trying to make and Roosevelt is sending a copy of a letter he wrote to someone that wanted him to join the Anglo-American Alliance. Roosevelt believes Great Britain had to stand by the entente but that the majority of the Liberal cabinet would not have done so until they were forced to by public reaction against the German invasion of Belgium. Roosevelt requests to breakfast with McBee on February 6.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-01-22

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

The crux of the war for Theodore Roosevelt is Belgium and he will judge other nations by their conduct. Therefore, he opposes Germany for its actions in Belgium and praises Great Britain’s and France’s actions as a model for good faith and international morality. American public opinion has recently shifted in favor of the allies, but pro-German feeling had been growing for several months before this change. Roosevelt attributes the growth of this sentiment to the “lavish attentions” shown to American war correspondents by the Germans. He suggests the allies be more open and accommodating to correspondents. A closer view of the allied side will be beneficial to American public opinion and is unlikely to negatively interfere with military operations. Roosevelt also warns against being too strict with contraband. American trade is vastly more beneficial to the allies and could become a vital factor in the war. The allies must maintain these advantages and should be careful not to incite the American government or public. Roosevelt hopes that “every possible consideration” will be shown to the American flag and position.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-01-22

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Theodore Roosevelt would be happy to meet with Dr. Bartelmi so long as he understands that Roosevelt has strong feelings about Germany’s action toward Belgium. Roosevelt is concerned that Germany and Japan might be victorious and form an alliance.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1914-12-04

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

President Roosevelt sends Ambassador Reid copies of the dispatches he sent to the Japanese government and the Russian Czar. He discusses the implications of a potential Anglo-Japanese alliance.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-09-08

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

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

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Before he leaves for six weeks of travel, President Roosevelt updates Secretary of State Hay on a number of foreign relations issues. In particular, he discusses his efforts to begin peace talks between Russia and Japan, and the worries of the German emperor.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-04-02

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Secretary of State Bacon has read the letters that William Loeb enclosed. Jacob H. Schiff understands that President Roosevelt has done all that he can. Dr. Felix Adler’s letter noted a failed planned massacre. Bacon has kept the Ambassador in the loop and asked that he cable Bacon if further action requires attention.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-07-31

Creator(s)

Bacon, Robert, 1860-1919

Otto Gresham recounts for President Roosevelt his conversation with Seizaburo Shimizu, the Japanese consul in Chicago. Shimizu was concerned that the major papers in Chicago, especially the Tribune, might “lash the community into anger” against Japan because Eleanor Medill Patterson, daughter of a Tribune editor, had married a Russian nobleman. Gresham assured Shimizu that most Americans look poorly on foreign noblemen who marry American women and do not view such marriages as grounds for alliance. Gresham also mentions that Lord Curzon said the Japanese would try to take the Philippines from the United States. Shimizu, on the contrary, was shocked to hear this because he believes Japan wants the United States to keep the Philippines.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-03-26

Creator(s)

Gresham, Otto, 1859-1946

Ambassador Tower has spoken with Chancellor Bülow of Germany about the Japanese situation. Bülow has spoken with Ambassador Alfons Mumm, who does not believe that Japan intends to attack the United States, even though they do harbor hostility toward the country. Tower expresses concern that Japan might want to invade the West Coast to gain territory. Tower has also spoken with Minister Wilhelm Eduard von Schoen about relations with Germany and China. Tower assured Schoen that President Roosevelt agrees with Bülow on the issues regarding China and the open door policy.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-01-08

Creator(s)

Tower, Charlemagne, 1848-1923

British Foreign Secretary Grey informs President Roosevelt that Ambassador H. Mortimer Durand will be replaced, and while he understands Roosevelt’s desire to have Arthur Lee in his place, that is politically impossible. Temporarily, Esmé Howard will be sent to Washington as Councillor to the Embassy. Grey appreciated Roosevelt’s explanation of his telegram to German Emperor William after the Portsmouth Peace. Grey explains that his foreign policy is not anti-German, but to be independent he feels it necessary to strengthen the entente with France and come to an agreement with Russia. Grey believes that his generation has had enough of war, and the British people feel a special bond with the United States. Grey hopes the dispute between Canada and the United States over Newfoundland will soon be settled. He also adds that many in Great Britain are upset over reports of slavery and plunder in the Belgian Congo.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-12-04

Creator(s)

Grey of Fallodon, Edward Grey, Viscount, 1862-1933

Leslie M. Shaw urges President Roosevelt to remain silent. Shaw states he will support Roosevelt and asks the same in return.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-06-12

Creator(s)

Shaw, Leslie M. (Leslie Mortier), 1848-1932

Ambassador Meyer discusses the happenings in the Moscow Congress. He also addresses the meetings of the Emperors on July 24 and Russia’s alliance with France.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-08-01

Creator(s)

Meyer, George von Lengerke, 1858-1918