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Theodore Roosevelt recommends A. H. Stanton, a soldier he served with in the Spanish-American War, to the Directors of the San Francisco Exposition. Roosevelt believes that he would do well as a guard or in any other position for which he applies.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1914-12-16
Japan is making preparations to take part in the Panama-Pacific International Exposition in San Francisco, California, and is prepared to spend large sums to be well represented. It is important to have a Japanese presence, as European participation will be low due to the war. The Japanese do not want any anti-Japanese legislation passed by the California legislature and it would be exceedingly awkward if there was hostile legislation attempted or passed during the exposition. Theodore Roosevelt hopes Governor Johnson can “stave off any action.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1914-11-30
Theodore Roosevelt thanks Alexander G. Brodie for the letter, and he sends his love to Brodie’s wife. Roosevelt notes he made a “gallant fight” in his political campaign and has no regrets in how it went.
President Roosevelt calls on prominent men to address corruption and evil in all classes and parts of the community. He believes that people need to be loyal to America as a country, rather than their union, caste, or class. Roosevelt provides an example widespread political corruption in San Francisco and urges the recipients of the letter to combat class consciousness and encourage good citizenship.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-06-06
President Roosevelt has quoted an article in the Mining and Scientific Press in a letter he sent to men “who are interested in the civic betterment of the country.” Roosevelt believes that the hope for “decent government” lies in the elimination of class consciousness. The rich capitalists and financiers are as much to blame as laborers and unions. Roosevelt feels more contempt for “people of high social position” who stand behind corrupt members of their class than he does for laborers who do the same.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-06-08
Theodore Roosevelt looks at issues related to Hetch Hetchy Valley, California. He will consider the options that John Muir presented: damming Lake Eleanor and letting San Francisco get water from the Tuolumne tributaries.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-04-27
President Roosevelt does not like having so much gold in San Francisco in case of war, and instructs Secretary of the Treasury Cortelyou to move as much of it as possible to Denver in the next six months.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-04-19
President Roosevelt received Jesse Matlock Lee’s letter including Judge Thomas Moore Paschal’s paper, and is pleased to find that Lee is as fine a patriot as he is a soldier. He may bring some of Lee’s ideas about strikes and labor that stem from his involvement with the granger movement before Congress.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-04-16
President Roosevelt thanks German Emperor William II for his work in fostering friendship between Germany and the United States. He regrets that the situation regarding his nomination of David Jayne Hill as the new Ambassador to Germany was made public, and explains that if he had been told privately that the Emperor wanted a different man, he would have nominated someone else. Roosevelt also provides an update on the progress of the American fleet’s tour of South America, and says that its target practice off the Mexican coast went well.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-04-04
President Roosevelt relieves Rear Admiral Evans of command at his own request. He thanks Evans for his long service in the United States Navy and recaps his career, which has seen the country emerge as a first class naval power.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-03-23
President Roosevelt wishes he could be in San Francisco in May, but does not think it will be possible as it will be near the end of the Congressional session. He does not believe that it will be possible for Secretary of State Elihu Root to attend either, but he has already arranged for Secretary of the Navy Victor Howard Metcalf to be present, and he believes he is the appropriate man to be there as his representative. Roosevelt praises San Francisco for having gotten rid of much of its corruption and electing a good city government.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-02-28
President Roosevelt asks Postmaster General Meyer to look into the matter of Thomas J. Ford, who he has heard is an honest person and should not lose his job in the San Francisco Post Office. Roosevelt also asks Meyer to speak with Senator Porter J. McCumber and United States Representative Asle J. Gronna about the postmaster of Milton, North Dakota, as he would like Meyer’s advice on the issue.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-02-29
President Roosevelt provides Speaker of the House Cannon with details explaining why it is urgent that Congress act quickly to appropriate funding for coastal defenses of several areas in and around the Pacific. Roosevelt explains both the current situation of defenses in Manila Bay, Pearl Harbor, and the Pacific Coast of the United States, as well as the plans that are currently in place to improve these defenses. He asks Cannon to try to expedite the process of providing funding for these purposes.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-02-21
President Roosevelt provides Vice President Fairbanks with details explaining why it is urgent that Congress act quickly to appropriate funding for coastal defenses of several areas in and around the Pacific. Roosevelt explains both the current situation of defenses in Manila Bay, Pearl Harbor, and the Pacific Coast of the United States, as well as the plans that are currently in place to improve these defenses. He asks Fairbanks to try to expedite the process of providing funding for these purposes.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-02-21
President Roosevelt congratulates Francis J. Heney for the work he has been doing prosecuting governmental corruption in San Francisco with Rudolph Spreckels, District Attorney William Henry Langdon, and Mayor Edward Robeson Taylor. Next time they meet in person, Roosevelt hopes to speak with Heney about injuries he has done Supreme Court Justice William H. Moody.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-11-07
President Roosevelt discusses his thoughts regarding tensions with Japan with German Ambassador Sternburg, and supposes that racial differences between Europeans and Japanese makes understanding between the two races difficult. In response to a report from Sternburg that Japanese immigrants in Mexico could attack the United States from there should conflict arise, Roosevelt says this action would do nothing but anger the United States. Roosevelt does not understand why Japanese immigrants want to come to America and become naturalized citizens, yet retain their Japanese identity. Roosevelt pledges to treat the immigrants with justice and to protect them if need be, while at the same time keeping the American fleet ready to sail at a moment’s notice. He does not believe there will be war, but will try to “prevent it from being disastrous” if it does. Roosevelt worries because the Japanese have formidable military power, and Americans suffer from a luxurious, modern life that makes them frivolous. Roosevelt is troubled by men who talk about peace but are really cowards. Roosevelt says his foreign policy is simple: to show other nations justice, courtesy, and considerations, and to receive the same in return.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-07-16
President Roosevelt shares his thoughts on various topics with Cecil Spring Rice. Roosevelt is planning to swap foreign assignments between John B. Jackson and Richmond Pearson, mentioning that Pearson had trouble with missionaries in Persia. While Jackson has done well as Minister to Greece, Roosevelt does not approve of his strong pro-Russia feelings. Roosevelt thinks the Russian people are good, and feels badly that they oscillate between despotism and anarchy. Roosevelt is interested in what Spring Rice says about the movement of Islam in Persia toward more tolerance, and gives his opinion about progress in Islamic countries in relation to Buddhism and Shinto. The violent incidents in San Francisco towards Japanese immigrants concerns Roosevelt. Roosevelt thinks everyone should be in favor of peace and temperance, but he feels professional advocates of both talk a lot without ever getting anything done. At home, Roosevelt is trying to keep a balance between plutocrats and labor unions. Roosevelt hopes to see Spring Rice and his wife soon.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-07-01
President Roosevelt discusses several topics with Secretary of State Root. Roosevelt had intended to appoint William Penn Duvall to Quartermaster General, but Secretary of War William H. Taft strongly recommended James Buchanan Aleshire instead. Roosevelt has called upon Attorney General Charles J. Bonaparte to investigate the difficulties of Japanese immigrants in San Francisco. Roosevelt has been hearing “howls” over an agreement with Germany. Roosevelt feels Andrew Carnegie’s New York peace conference has weakened the United States’ chances at the International Peace Conference at the Hague, and so has not been following developments there.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-07-02
President Roosevelt is grateful to Benjamin Ide Wheeler for the information he provided about Judge William C. Van Fleet. He is sorry to hear of the political corruption in San Francsico and Mayor Eugene E. Schmitz’s involvement in it.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-04-06
President Roosevelt can testify in support of William C. Van Fleet. At the Republican National Convention in 1904, rival Edward Harriman’s men attempted to gain control of the Republican delegation from California, and Van Fleet was one of the men who stopped them. Because of this, Roosevelt is interested in what is happening in San Francisco.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-03-25