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Albert Shaw introduces P. M. Mattheeff to President Roosevelt. Shaw met Mattheeff many years ago in Bulgaria and again recently, as Mattheeff was the Bulgarian commissioner at the World’s Fair in St. Louis. Shaw recommends Mattheeff to Roosevelt as someone who knows well the situation in Bulgaria, Serbia, and Greece, including the Macedonian question.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-11-26
Albert Shaw writes to President Roosevelt about P. M. Mattheeff, the Bulgarian commissioner at the World’s Fair and minister from Bulgaria to Greece. Shaw finds Mattheeff to be a very interesting man, and has provided a letter of introduction for him to present to Roosevelt.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-11-26
Everything possible must be done for Ellen Maria Stone, an American missionary who was kidnapped on the Turkey-Bulgaria border. However, President Roosevelt wishes to stress that the government has no power to pay ransoms as every missionary or traveler to “wild lands” should be aware. It is his personal opinion that women have “no earthly business” going as missionaries to such places.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1901-10-02
John Hay writes to Theodore Roosevelt to tell him that P. M. Mattheeff, Commissioner to the World’s Fair from Bulgaria, will be calling with a letter of introduction from Dr. Shaw and a letter from the Prince of Bulgaria.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-12-14
Translation of an article praising Theodore Roosevelt’s support of Bulgaria during the First Balkan War against the Ottoman Empire. It includes quotes from a letter Theodore Roosevelt wrote.
Sagamore Hill National Historic Site
1912-1913
A puppeteer labeled “Russia” with marionettes labeled “Bulgaria” and “Macedonia” engage in a sword fight. The Bulgarian puppet is about to cut the head off the Macedonian puppet who has dropped his sword. Hanging on the side of the theater, to the left, are three puppets labeled “Roumelia, Servia, [and] Roumania.” Caption: A continuous performance since Peter, the Great.
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs
1903-10-07
Theodore Roosevelt agrees with Serbian Minister Michailovitch’s opinion regarding the importance of July 28, 1914, and argues that beyond simply being the day Germany and its ally Austria-Hungary began the great war, July 28 further raised the question of how the world should deal with the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Roosevelt feels there can be no peace unless the Austro-Hungarian Empire is broken up and its constituent nationalities are given their own states, and mentions also that the Ottoman empire should be similarly divided. The United States should do what it can to assist in this effort by encouraging the revolt of subject peoples and pledging to protect them. Future peace depends on Germany, Austria-Hungary, Bulgaria and Turkey being soundly defeated, and Roosevelt believes Europe should be remade “on the basis of the principle of nationalities.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1918-07-11
Theodore Roosevelt believes that Turkey’s persecution of Armenians has been “horrible beyond description,” and sympathizes with Moses H. Clemens’ call for the Wilson administration to intervene. Roosevelt hopes that Clemens and his committee will also advocate for the Belgians, whom Roosevelt believes are suffering just as much after the invasion of the Germans in World War I. Roosevelt doubts that an ultimatum would be effective in protecting Armenians because the Wilson administration would not back it with the necessary force, and Roosevelt also believes that if such action is taken for Armenians, ultimatums should be given on behalf of the Belgians and Americans in Mexico as well.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-10-25
Theodore Roosevelt comments on his wish to return to Africa but is unable to due to the work that needs to be done in America. Roosevelt also comments on the Balkans War and wishes for peace in Europe (as well as for the Turks to be driven “to the other side of the Bosphorus”). Finally, Roosevelt sends his family’s regards to Rudolf Carl von Slatin.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-12-17
Theodore Roosevelt offers “three cheers for Bulgaria” and hopes to see Frederick Palmer when he gets back.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-12-14
Theodore Roosevelt comments on the Balkans War, commending the Bulgarians for doing so well. Roosevelt also states that he will show Robert Harry Munro Ferguson’s letter to Gifford Pinchot and Amos Pinchot, in hopes that Ferguson will help the brothers turn their attention from trying to root the moderates out the party. Roosevelt then provides several book recommendations on the Turkish invasion of Europe. Finally, Roosevelt expresses his wish to see Ferguson’s wife and children at Christmas.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-12-10
Theodore Roosevelt extends his good will to the Balkan War Relief Fund Committee and offers his sympathies to Bulgarians and all the people of the Balkans Peninsula. He particularly commends Setchanove for the Committee’s work to support the widows and orphans of those fighting in the war.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-12-06
Theodore Roosevelt informs Mabel S. Gronitch that while he has great sympathy for the Bulgarians and the other countries in the Balkans, he does not feel that a general appeal from him to the American public would help much. If a meeting or committee wants him to write a letter about the Balkans, he will gladly do so.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-11-25
Theodore Roosevelt thanks Baron Kaneko for his letter and the telegram he sent from the America’s Friends’ Association. Roosevelt compares Bulgaria’s military spirit to Japan’s and hopes that after the war they will be comparable to Japan in other ways.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-11-20
President Roosevelt tells President-Elect Taft that he was recently approached by Austrian Ambassador Ladislaus Hengelmüller von Hengervár, who was concerned about a telegram that Taft and his wife, Helen Herron Taft, allegedly sent to the Serbians. While Roosevelt does not know anything about the incident, he offers his opinion on the situation in the Balkans, and says that the Austro-Hungarian empire has done a good job governing Bosnia and Herzegovina, and that immediate annexation of these states to Serbia would be a disaster.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-12-29
President Roosevelt discusses various aspects of his efforts to make peace between Japan and Russia at length with Cecil Spring Rice. He also discusses the current strained relations between England and Germany, and informs Rice that he does not intend to take on the role of regular peacemaker between other countries. It is necessary for him to focus on the affairs of the United States, rather than trying to keep peace in Europe.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-11-01
President Roosevelt is unaware of the Armenian matter of which Julia Ward Howe speaks. Roosevelt has heard of recent Bulgarian atrocities and of the seizure of Armenian church property in Russia, but nothing else regarding the treatment of the Armenians. Roosevelt asks Howe for more information.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-07-13
President Roosevelt disagrees entirely with Dr. Washburn. He feels there has been no government mismanagement related to the kidnapping of Ellen Maria Stone. It would be impossible for the government to pay ransom for missionaries and other kidnap victims. Roosevelt’s personal opinion is that women should not act as foreign missionaries and that men who do should go “in the spirit of a soldier,” aware of the possible consequences.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1901-11-22
Ambassador Reid has discussed President Roosevelt’s upcoming trip to Africa with Robert Offley Ashburton Crewe-Milnes, and reports that the issue regarding permits to enter game reserves has been resolved. The licenses will be taken care of. Crewe-Milnes assured Reid that Roosevelt’s needs will be taken care of, but that the British government understands that he does not want a fuss. Reid also discusses a number of domestic political issues in England, as well as the state of international affairs in Europe. He thinks that in spite of rumors in the British press about southwestern Europe, a war is unlikely. Reid encloses a caricature of Roosevelt that he thinks he will find amusing.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-11-03
Cecil Spring Rice informs Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt that his friend Edward Ashley Walrond Clarke, British Consul General to Zanzibar, has promised to look after President Roosevelt. He discusses the Turkish reform movement, its influences, and global impact. The British have appealed to William II, Emperor of Germany, to stop arming.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-09-06