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John Callan O’Laughlin states Count Cassini is anxious to have the “von Meyer report” as it will defend his actions and would like to have it by noon. O’Laughlin encloses a letter for President Roosevelt.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-06-10
John Callan O’Laughlin informs President Roosevelt that Ambassador Cassini has received no communication from Russia. Cassini stated that if he were able to see Ambassador Meyer’s report of his conversation with Czar Nicholas II to ascertain whether Russia wanted peace and if Roosevelt was encouraging Japan to be “moderate,” he would recommend a peace conference. O’Laughlin passed along Roosevelt’s perspective that Russia was defeated on land and sea and that must be kept in mind during negotiations.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-06-09
John Callan O’Laughlin relays concerns Count Cassini has in regards to President Roosevelt’s negotiations in the Russo-Japanese War.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-06-08
John Callan O’Laughlin relays a conversation with Arthur Cassini to President Roosevelt. Cassini is not aware of what was said between Czar Nicholas II and Ambassador Meyer. Cassini was pleased that Roosevelt was encouraging Japan to be cooperative. He was also intrigued by the idea of land being exchanged rather than money. All communications from Roosevelt will be kept confidential.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-06-08
John Callan O’Laughlin met with Ambassador Cassini and delivered a message from President Roosevelt. Cassini stated that he hopes the United States will urge Japan to be moderate in its peace demands, to which O’Laughlin replied that Roosevelt did “not desire to convey the terms of Japan to Russia or vice versa.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-06-07
Theodore Hansen of the Russian Embassy asks William Loeb to inform President Roosevelt that the meeting of the fencers’ club offered by Count Cassini will take place on January 28.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-01-21
President Roosevelt asks Secretary of State Hay not to come to Washington too often this summer, or he will feel that he is neglecting his own duty. Roosevelt has been angered by the “impertinent action” of the Russians but is satisfied with Hay’s conversation with Russian Ambassador Cassini.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-07-01
President Roosevelt instructs Ambassador Meyer to inform Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs V. N. Lamzdorf that before receiving any word from Russia regarding holding negotiations at the Hague, he had received a cable from Ambassador Arthur Paul Nicholas Cassini stating that Washington, D.C., would be given preference if Paris was unavailable. After hearing from the Japanese delegation that Washington was acceptable, Roosevelt made the announcement to the public that negotiations were to be held there, and it is impossible to change this at this time. If Count Lamzdorf continues to protest, Roosevelt instructs Meyer to explain the situation directly to Emperor Nicholas II.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-06-16
President Roosevelt shares with Senator Lodge the in-depth details of how he worked to arrange a peace conference between Russia and Japan, including substantial quotations from letters and telegrams between himself and officials of both governments, as well as with Ambassador George von Lengerke Meyer and Ambassador Lloyd Carpenter Griscom. He writes frankly of his views of the two nations, and is not sure whether the negotiations will be successful.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-06-16
Theodore Roosevelt informed Russian Ambassador Arthur Paul Nicholas Cassini that Japan intends to give their plenipotentiaries full powers to negotiate and conclude a peace at the upcoming peace negotiations, and hopes that Russia will do similarly. Roosevelt feels that both nations should earnestly work to come to an agreement, and the appointment of plenipotentiaries as suggested will show that both nations are acting in good faith.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-06-14
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.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-04-02
President Roosevelt agrees with German Emperor William II that it is unwise for peace negotiations between Japan and Russia to take place in a congress of nations. Japanese Ambassador Kogoro Takahira and British Ambassador H. Mortimer Durand agree with this assessment. Roosevelt spoke with Russian Ambassador Arthur Paul Nicholas Cassini and explained to him that it is “eminently to Russia’s interest to make peace,” and that delay would only increase the “onerousness of the terms” for Russia.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-03-31
President Roosevelt is glad to hear that Secretary of State Hay is recovering. He updates Hay on a variety of matters the State Department is currently dealing with. In particular, Roosevelt discusses the situation in Santo Domingo, and the ongoing efforts to broker peace between Russia and Japan.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-03-30
President Roosevelt is angry over Russia’s “impertinent action” but states that Secretary of State Hay’s conversation with Ambassador Cassini was satisfactory.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-07-01
Ambassador von Sternburg met with Ambassador Cassini who “confessed that the position of Russia was hopeless.” Von Sternburg thought this information would be of interest to President Roosevelt as Cassini has asked to meet with him.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-05-31
Secretary of War Taft forwards a message from Japanese Foreign Minister Jutaro Komura thanking President Roosevelt for working to find peace in the Japanese Russian conflict. The Japanese await the president’s return to Washington to contribute to a peace plan. Taft tells Roosevelt that Ambassador Kogoro Takahira seems to believe the Japanese government was being too cautious in their messaging regarding their wish to end the war, about the result of the Battle of Port Arthur, and about Roosevelt’s influence on the peace party. Taft also met with British Ambassador H. Mortimer Durand after Durand spoke to Lord Lansdowne, regarding British and French reaction after the First Moroccan Crisis. Taft also spoke to Durand about his conversation with German Ambassador Hermann Speck von Sternburg.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-05-02
John Callan O’Laughlin informs President Roosevelt of recent developments in the conflict between Russia and Japan. Count Arthur Cassini agrees with the Japanese Minister that there can be no peace until after the battle and question of command of the sea is determined, and O’Laughlin believes Roosevelt would be the best medium through which to initiate negotiations between the two countries. O’Laughlin also cautions Roosevelt regarding a trip to Japan planned by Secretary of War William H. Taft and Alice Roosevelt, which Cassini believes will provoke hard feelings in Russia.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-04-23
Ambassador Sternburg informs President Roosevelt that German Emperor William II will send an expert for the new Isthmian Canal Commission. Sternburg also encloses a clipping that provides an update about the “Morocco affair,” which suggests that the Kaiser is bluffing about his concerns in Morocco to cover his plan to absorb the Netherlands. Finally, Sternburg expresses surprise at the success of Russian Admiral Zinoviĭ Petrovich Rozhestvenskiĭ in reaching Singapore.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-04-09
John Callan O’Laughlin reports on the movements of Russian admiral Zinoviĭ Petrovich Rozhestvenskiĭ’s fleet in the China Sea. He believes that these movements show that Russia is not yet ready to take the first steps toward peace with Japan. Russian Ambassador Arthur Paul Nicholas Cassini has also stated that currently there is not a chance for peace.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-04-09
Russian Ambassador Arthur Paul Nicholas Cassini spoke at length with Ambassador Sternburg about Russia’s situation, and now understands what President Roosevelt said about the consequences of delaying peace further. Cassini would like to speak with Roosevelt again about the matter. Sternburg asks if Roosevelt is available tomorrow.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-03-31