Arbitration, International

At a recent meeting on international peace, New York Chief Justice Isaac F. Russell spoke on the limits of arbitration with regards to international relations. There are also difficulties in creating an international tribunal because of the inequalities between nations. Even if judgements could be made in such a court, there would be substantial difficulties enforcing them. Nevertheless, arbitration can be useful and can help avoid military conflict when nations work together to pursue it.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-12

At a recent meeting on international peace, New York Chief Justice Isaac F. Russell provided the main speech. War is frequently held in high esteem and is seen as glorious, and spurs on associated benefits. There are parallel views of war as expensive and wasteful on one hand, and as spurring growth and renewal on the other. Arbitration, Russell says, is necessarily limited, and has substantial difficulties in being imposed between nations who do not wish it. Countries who willingly choose to arbitrate, however, can be very successful.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-12

Pearl Wight encourages J. R. Thornton to amend the Arbitration Treaty Bill with Senator Elihu Root’s amendment and then pass it because it will be able to prevent many wars in the future. Wight compares international arbitration to businessmen settling their disputes with compromise rather than long lawsuits.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-12-15

Millard J. Bloomer thanks Theodore Roosevelt for his letter declining the invitation to the Citizen’s Peace Banquet. Bloomer explains his own beliefs around world peace as well as his understanding of the purpose of the banquet. Bloomer appreciates Roosevelt’s caution and will be wary of any request to act contrary to his convictions

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-12-13

Oscar S. Straus acknowledges the letter and enclosures Jacob Saphirstein sent him of an editorial from the Jewish Morning Journal regarding the Russian passport question and the endorsement by Straus of Theodore Roosevelt’s proposal for arbitration of the passport question. Straus verifies his support of Roosevelt’s proposal and lists some of reasons for doing so. Straus invites Saphirstein to visit to discuss further details.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-10-24

Oscar S. Straus informs Theodore Roosevelt he received a letter from Jacob Saphirstein, the editor of the Jewish Morning Journal, containing an editorial responding to Roosevelt’s proposal for arbitration regarding the Russian passport question, which Straus consulted with Roosevelt regarding and fully endorsed. Straus has written back to Saphirstein and is enclosing a copy of his letter to Roosevelt. Straus feels more convinced than ever that arbitration is the way forward to arrive at a satisfactory solution.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

President Roosevelt approves of the response sent to the Smart Set magazine in response to a request for his endorsement. He says reports of Ambassador Reid’s “ostentation” and other unflattering news reports about official embassy conduct are harmless; he appreciates all the speeches Reid has made in an effort to unite the “right classes” of Americans and English people. Roosevelt agrees with Reid regarding pursuing arbitration in a treaty dispute with Great Britain over fisheries in Newfoundland. He also comments briefly on the result of the trial of Big Bill Hayward, calling it a “gross miscarriage of justice.” Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt appreciates the silver bowl Elisabeth Mills Reid sent as a gift.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-07-29

President Roosevelt compliments Ambassador Reid’s handling of the international arbitration proposal regarding American fishing rights in Newfoundland. Roosevelt says his chief concern in foreign affairs is the potential hostility between the United States and Japan, either due to “mob leaders” and “yellow journals” in California, or to the lack of foresight in men like Maine Senator Eugene Hale with regard to funding the Navy. Roosevelt is surprised that anyone pays attention to recent negative comments in the news about him made by George Brinton McClellan Harvey. 

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-07-26

President Roosevelt asks Richard Watson Gilder to return the enclosed, with notes on what Roosevelt can say regarding the part he has marked. He knows the amount that the Germans can pay is limited.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-01-06

Senator Lodge has read Theodore Roosevelt’s article on arbitration under the Russian treaty and is troubled by the matter. The Russians have never “given up the doctrine of indefeasible allegiance,” thus excepting their subjects from part of the treaty. Lodge also believes that the Russians violate the treaty regarding American born Jews. Going to the Permanent Court of Arbitration could strengthen the American position but Russia would likely ignore any decision on their right to exclude immigrants. This would also raise awkward questions regarding the United States’ laws against Chinese immigration.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-10-12

Senator Lodge was alarmed to hear of Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt’s fall and sends his love. He has limited information on the Honduran and Nicaraguan treaties but will send copies to Theodore Roosevelt. Lodge does not approve of Senator Cummins’s idea for a Senate-appointed commission as part of the arbitration treaty. He believes that it would be better to have no commission than to protect their interests by such a method. Commissions are also too slow and selecting commissioners opens everyone involved to political attacks.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-10-06

Charles A. Conant shares a clipping of his article in The Wall Street Journal with Theodore Roosevelt and hopes their views on international arbitration align.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-10-05

George A. Mebane compliments Theodore Roosevelt on his recent piece in The Outlook. Mebane agrees with Roosevelt’s opinion on the arbitration treaty.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-09-23

Victor Morawetz agrees with Theodore Roosevelt’s published conclusions on the proposed arbitration treaty. He asks to call Roosevelt at The Outlook office.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-09-21

The supporters of the arbitration treaties are avoiding the main point being raised by Senator Lodge and Theodore Roosevelt. The Conciliation Society is sending out letters but there has not been much of an outcry. The Fisheries Treaty has been redrafted with the regulations damaging to American fisherman removed. The bill has passed the Senate and is pending in the House.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-09-19

George LeRoy Brown acknowledges receipt of Theodore Roosevelt’s letter and discusses the concept of compulsory versus voluntary arbitration. He quips that it’s just as important to “go-a-fishing” as it is to go to school. He also believes daily exercise is necessary for building character, but thinks convincing older army officers might be difficult.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-09-18

John F. Healy sends Theodore Roosevelt a letter urging him to oppose the 1911 Arbitration Treaty, disagreeing with Roosevelt’s exception for England.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-09-11

William S. Cowles discusses President William H. Taft’s recent speech in Connecticut regarding arbitration. He reports that the crowd was not enthusiastic and believes Taft should have spoken on reciprocity. Afterwards, Cowles and his son, William Sheffield Cowles, had the opportunity to meet Taft.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-09-11

Arthur Hamilton Lee is enjoying his holiday in the Scottish Highlands and feels refreshed after engaging in outdoor recreation. He is glad to hear Theodore Roosevelt is likewise taking pleasure in his leisure. Lee discusses recent British political issues, including debates over Constitutional law and Irish Home Rule. Additionally, he comments on international relations between Morocco, Germany, and France, and the United States’ proposed arbitration treaty with Great Britain. Hopefully, in the near future, he and his wife, Ruth Moore Lee, can travel to the United States and visit the Roosevelt family. 

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-09-10

President Zelaya agrees to have the present conflict between Nicaragua and Honduras arbitrated by the United States, if President Roosevelt accedes to his conditions. The people of Nicaragua, Zelaya says, are “in the same state as that of the American people when the S.S. Maine was blown up.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-02-13