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Professor Ross’s publisher is sending Theodore Roosevelt a complimentary copy of Ross’s book, The Changing Chinese. Ross recommends two chapters that lay out his case for Chinese exclusion.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-10-26
This obituary illustrates the life of Rear Admiral Charles Stillman Sperry, U.S. Navy. His military history, personality, and effectiveness as a leader are all captured in this document. Most notably he is known for being a key mediator in many high tension situations in East Asia, and successfully prevent said conflicts from escalating.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-09
Members of the Chinese National Union thank Theodore Roosevelt for his letter and deeply appreciate his sympathetic attitude toward their country.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-08-17
Professor Ross was pleased to receive Theodore Roosevelt’s letter regarding Ross’s article entitled “The Struggle for Existence in China.” Ross has been anticipating an effort to end barriers against “Oriental immigration” as part of a policy to expand trade. The article was an effort to have an “unanswerable argument” against Chinese immigration without the “taint of racial prejudice.” Ross will soon be publishing a new book entitled The Changing Chinese and may be able to see Roosevelt in New York on September 15.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-08-01
Samuel V. Leech believes Theodore Roosevelt’s previous statements about the Monroe Doctrine are correct, and that President William H. Taft’s inclination towards international arbitration would be taken advantage of by European powers. Leech especially feels that international arbitration would upset American citizens if it allowed more Japanese and Chinese immigrants to settle on the Pacific coast, where he lives now. He recommends Roosevelt have a copy of The Encyclopedic Dictionary of American History, as it provides a good summary of the Monroe Doctrine, among other topics.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-07-05
Virginia L. Fraser sends Theodore Roosevelt some articles about Japan and China that she wrote. She recently returned to the United States after seven years abroad.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-05-06
Josiah B. Millet introduces himself as the publisher of a series of talks on Japan and China. He is also the brother of Francis Davis Millet and a Harvard graduate. As he is working on a new edition on Japan that covers official correspondence leading up to the Russo-Japanese War, he would like to consult with Roosevelt.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-05-05
Gilbert Reid asks Theodore Roosevelt to send his son an autographed photograph. He discusses plans to secure a salary for a Harvard alumnus to work with the International Institute of China and asks for Roosevelt’s help.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-04-29
Mary H. Krout no longer has the letter Theodore Roosevelt sent her to give to John Hay, but the letter Roosevelt has written her will work if he has no objection. She has also sent a letter to The Outlook about her personal knowledge of missionary work in China.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-05-01
On behalf of the Broadway High School debate team, Principal Geiger asks Theodore Roosevelt about his declaration against the open-door policy in China.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-04-28
Roger Sprague writes to Theodore Roosevelt, as he recently returned from teaching in China. Sprague would like to meet with Roosevelt, both to make his acquaintance and to share some of the changes that are taking place in Chinese society. He refers Roosevelt to Professor S. B. Christy of the University of California, who can vouch for his character.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-03-26
Alexander E. Barthe writes to Theodore Roosevelt regarding banks and banking in the Dominican Republic, where he is currently working. Federico Velásquez y Hernández, Minister of Finance and Commerce of the Dominican Republic, may visit New York in the near future, and Barthe hopes that Roosevelt might have a chance to talk with him about his country. Barthe additionally raises the question of a border dispute between the Dominican Republic and Haiti, and suggests that the nations should have to submit their differences to the Hague Court. After his duties are completed in the Dominican Republic, Barthe hopes to travel to china to help in the organization of the agricultural sector.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-03-21
Victor V. Belles enjoyed Theodore Roosevelt’s book, African Game Trails, and thinks “every civilized person in the world” should read it. However, he was disappointed Roosevelt did not go fishing. He inquires about missionary service in Africa. Belles plans to attach Roosevelt’s reply to his book.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-02-20
Wilbur F. Crafts says that E. W. Thwing’s efforts against opium, beer, and cigarettes in China and the rest of Asia are having an influence. Thwing is helping the International Reform Bureau influence the leaders who will meet at the Hague in May for an International Conference for the Suppression of the Opium Evil. Crafts asks if Theodore Roosevelt is willing to donate to the cause.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-02-09
Victor Hugo Duras would like to put himself forward for the secretaryship of the International Peace Commission that will be appointed by President William H. Taft. He asks Theodore Roosevelt to write a letter to Senator Elihu Root on his behalf. Duras also believes that Roosevelt’s future is in international politics and strongly urges him to seek the chairmanship of the commission. He thinks that the commission and development of an international court of justice will strengthen the United States’s international standing.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-02-06
Bishop Brent defends the success of the International Opium Commission, of which he was President. He wanted to secure unanimity on the resolutions it passed, and so could not be as stringent as he wanted due to the interests of Great Britain. He encourages President Taft to push the matter of the International Opium Conference.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1909-12-29
Elbert F. Baldwin, European editor at The Outlook, encloses a criticism of his article regarding China and asks President Roosevelt to respond with any comments he wishes to make.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1909-02-25
This memorandum details a political analysis of Japan’s willingness to go to war with the United States, partially over the Gentlemen’s Agreement of 1907 and anti-Japanese sentiments in the United States. The author concludes that a war with the United States would negatively affect Japanese finances and exports, with little to gain should they win. Also pondered are the root causes of Japanese migration to the United States and what Japan might stand to gain in a war with the United States, Russia, or China.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908
Secretary of State Root records an interview he conducted with Special Envoy Tang Shaoyi of China. Much of what was discussed involved the indemnity payments that China had been forced to pay following the Boxer Rebellion, and the return of these payments by the United States to China to be used for educational purposes. Additional subjects include adjustments to the tariff, the situation in Manchuria, and the Chinese Eastern Railway.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-12-09
William Woodville Rockhill recounts what occurred between the Dalai Lama and the Chinese government while the Dalai Lama was staying in Peking. Rockhill met with the Dalai Lama and offered advice to Agvan Dorjiev about whether or not the Dalai Lama should return to Lhasa and accept the removal of his temporal power. Rockhill believes that many of the reforms that China wishes to make would improve conditions in Tibet, while still allowing the Dalai Lama to maintain control over the Yellow Church.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-11-08