Your TR Source
Ambassador Reid updates President Roosevelt on the political exploits of Winston Churchill, who is once again running a contested election, and whose comments on Ireland have caused problems in Parliament.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-05-01
Ambassador Reid updates President Roosevelt on a number of unfortunate and tragic events befalling members of the British government and their families. The “hoodoo” culminates in the death of recently-resigned Prime Minister Henry Campbell-Bannerman.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-04-22
Ambassador to France Henry White expresses regret that President Roosevelt was unable to secure funding from Congress for the construction of four battleships. He praises Roosevelt’s handling of the controversy surrounding German Emperor William II’s dislike of the new American Ambassador to Germany, David Jayne Hill. White also offers his assessment of H. H. Asquith, the new British Prime Minister, and updates Roosevelt on the Trevelyans, with whom he recently dined. Includes handwritten original and typed copy.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-04-19
Ambassador to England Whitelaw Reid updates President Roosevelt on the ongoing cabinet crisis. King Edward VII did not return to meet with the new Prime Minister H. H. Asquith, upsetting the English, who value precedence. Little is going on while Asquith is in the process of putting together his new cabinet. Reid encloses two articles he believes Roosevelt will enjoy. He also discusses the wisdom of allowing newly-appointed Ambassador to Germany David Jayne Hill be guest of honor at the Pilgrim Club dinner.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-04-09
Whitelaw Reid sends President Roosevelt an article from The Observer that provides an alternate view of King Edward VII of England’s actions regarding the Cabinet, but notes that the paper is more like American “yellow” press. Reid offers his views on gossip that has re-emerged about the new Prime Minister H. H. Asquith, and updates Roosevelt on the actions of William Lyon Mackenzie King.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-04-14
John R. Carter updates President Roosevelt on various situations in England, namely, the progress of Mackenzie King in meeting with members of the government and promoting Roosevelt’s policies in regard to Japan. He is doing well, and has met with Edward Grey and leading members of the cabinet. Grey has previously been “sanguine” about Japan, but Carter hopes that King has enlightened him about the issue of Japanese immigration. A new Prime Minister will be installed around Easter, and it will probably be H. H. Asquith.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-04-03
Ambassador Reid updates President Roosevelt on a variety of political situations in England. It is likely that Prime Minister Henry Campbell-Bannerman will die or resign soon, which will lead to a number of changes. H. H. Asquith will likely become Prime Minister, and others like Sir Henry Fowler will likely resign. It is likely that Winston Churchill will be promoted to a Cabinet position. Lewis Harcourt will also likely be promoted, as he is universally popular and may even become Prime Minister. British Foreign Secretary Sir Edward Grey spoke with Canadian politician William Lyon Mackenzie King, who claims to be a friend of Roosevelt’s. He spoke about Asian immigration on behalf of the Americans.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-03-18
Ambassador Reid updates President Roosevelt about the recent turmoil in Great Britain surrounding an exchange of letters between Edward Marjoribanks, Baron Tweedmouth, and Emperor William II of Germany. The Emperor wrote privately to Lord Tweedmouth, and in passing mentioned the British Navy. News of this mention spread to the press, who seized upon news of the letter to blow the incident out of proportion and make it seem as if Germany were trying to influence British naval policy. Reid sends a selection of newspaper clippings following the development of the issue in the press. Additionally, Reid reports that Henry Campbell-Bannerman’s condition is not improving, and it appears that H. H. Asquith will be his successor as Prime Minister.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-03-10
Ambassador Reid reports that he took the first opportunity to meet with King Edward VII and present President Roosevelt’s letter, which the King appreciated. Reid thought the King looked well, although he was “a good deal affected” by the recent assassination of Carlos I, King of Portugal. It seems likely that Prime Minister Henry Campbell-Bannerman will retire soon, as he is in poor health. The general feeling is that H. H. Asquith will replace him, although things are generally not going well for the Liberals.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-03-03
Ambassador Reid updates Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt on the visits of royalties to London, England, including the dinner held for German Emperor William II and his wife Auguste Viktoria. Reid raves about Auguste Viktoria’s dress and notes she wore the “biggest pearls I ever saw worn in any part of the world.” Reid also tells Roosevelt about the Bourbon wedding he and Mrs. Whitelaw Reid attended. The ambassador includes an anecdote about Spanish King Alfonso XIII who wanted to change his clothes, but his wife Maria Cristina told him he could not because the luggage had already left. Reid concludes by telling Roosevelt about a luncheon for the new Mexican minister and a dinner for the Alfonso XIII and Maria Cristina of Spain. Reid discusses his plans for a leave of absence, which will include stopping in New York.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-11-20
Andrew Carnegie updates President Roosevelt on matters in Great Britain. Carnegie says Roosevelt’s handling of the “Japanese flurry” was masterful, and says Japan will not make any more trouble due to her financial status. Carnegie notes that many countries are restricting entry to Japanese citizens, and that Roosevelt has solved the problem. Carnegie comments on the stances of Great Britain and Germany at the International Peace Conference at The Hague.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-07-31
Ambassador Reid provides President Roosevelt with a variety of pieces of information regarding the status of English politics. Douglas Robinson and Corinne Roosevelt Robinson met with many different members of the royal family. Reid recounts a scandal regarding Prime Minister Campbell-Bannerman, who nine months after his wife died, was engaged to her caretaker. Regardless, Campbell-Bannerman has surprised most in Parliament at his effectiveness as a leader. Reid is disappointed that Robert Bond and the Liberal Party agreed to govern the colony of Newfoundland. The U. S. government is not pleased with this agreement, and many of the other premiers disagree with the Liberal Party’s policy. In particular, Alfred Deakin, the premier of Australia, is an outspoken opponent to this policy. Additionally, many of the colonies want preference in the British markets, and may sacrifice free trade agreements to achieve this status. Next, H. H. Asquith proposed an income tax for Great Britain that will introduce a new, objectionable system of old age pensions. R. B. Haldane proposed a permanent standing army in the British colonies. Augustine Burrill’s proposed Irish Council Bill is becoming unpopular and he does not have many successes as a politician. Overall, the Liberal Party is disappointed by Campbell-Bannerman’s performance.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-05-24
Wayne MacVeagh writes to President Roosevelt that he hopes Roosevelt was able to find “the act of Congress and its affirmance by the Supreme Court.” It was accepted quietly and approved, hardly a “violent form of anarchy.” Although not well-drafted, MacVeagh believes the idea is there. A few weeks after Roosevelt’s speech on graduated inheritance taxes, H. H. Asquith, Chancellor of the Exchequer of the United Kingdom, announced support to begin graduated income taxes, after experiencing success with inheritance taxes since 1894.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-05-09
Ambassador Reid writes to Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt about a difficult situation observed by Elizabeth Reid at Windsor Castle. Reid also discusses H. H. Asquith’s position as a candidate for prime minister and shares inside information on the condition of King Edward VII.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-11-28
Whitelaw Reid discusses with President Roosevelt a conversation he had with Ronald Craufurd Munro Ferguson regarding British and American politics. He also discusses Great Britain’s treaty with Japan and expresses his hope that the British provided at least a hint of such an agreement with the president. He includes a lengthy, handwritten addition congratulating Roosevelt on his coordination of the peace conference.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-09-02
Francis M. Carroll examines Theodore Roosevelt’s opinions on the question of home rule for Ireland during World War I, and demonstrates how John Quinn, a prominent Irish-American, used arguments Roosevelt made in an August 1917 letter to George Russell in his book on the home rule question. Carroll examines the state of Irish-British relations during World War I and looks at Roosevelt’s correspondence with those involved in the home rule issue. The article reprints in side by side columns Roosevelt’s August 1917 letter to George Russell and portions of Quinn’s The Irish Home-Rule Convention, demonstrating that Quinn used much of Roosevelt’s language and arguments in his own work.
Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal
1980
This newspaper article discusses King of England Edward VII’s travel to Biarritz, France, and the impact it had on his cabinet and Parliament. While the situation did not look good—several important British leaders were away—practically, nothing bad happened.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-04-12
The article discusses H. H. Asquith’s ascension to the role of Prime Minister, and makes note of the fact that his appointment by King Edward VII took place in Biarritz, France. The article also discusses the political and economic conditions that Asquith and his government will face, particularly focusing on tariffs and taxation.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-04-09
French politicians consider H. H. Asquith’s statement in the British House of Commons a triumph for The Times. Many people in France have also been very interested in the recent controversy concerning a letter between German Emperor William II and Lord Tweedmouth. The widespread belief is that foreign leaders should be prevented from interfering in internal affairs of other countries.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-03-11
Several French newspapers have commented on recent actions by the British Parliament relating to the letters between German Emperor William II and Lord Tweedmouth. While English political parties have their differences, they are united in their desire to remain free from foreign influence, which is what it seems that Emperor William II was attempting to do. Nonetheless, Parliament seems to have handled the situation tactfully, and the French press should consider the matter closed.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-03-10