China

A man labeled “Russia” stands with several women, representing various countries, around him. The women each hold a note from Russia proclaiming his love and affections. “Gt. Britain” is standing on the far left, the only one not to receive a declaration of love from Russia. Caption: Most of the ruling belles of the world have had rose-colored declarations of love from him, and he is still looking for fresh conquests.

Collection

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

Creation Date

1897-10-27

The Emperor of China, sitting on a throne, seeks advice from a wise minister, as foreign ships, from England, Germany, Japan, France, and other countries, approach in the background. Caption: The Emperor of China–Tell me, most wise counselor, what advice does Confucius give concerning such a situation as this? / Li Hung Chang–I fear, Your Majesty, that Confucius is a back number. He never dreamed of such an exhibition of gall as this.

Collection

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

Creation Date

1898-01-26

John Bull, labeled “England,” holds a model ship labeled “Trade.” Uncle Sam, also holding a model ship labeled “Trade,” is behind him. They stand before the Chinese Emperor who is frightened three men standing nearby: William II holding a sword labeled “Germany”, “France” holding a rifle, and Nicholas II holding two pistols labeled “Russia.” Caption: Uncle Sam (to John Bull)–Don’t scare him, John, the way those other fellows are doing. Tell him all we want is to have him open his harbors and markets to everybody!

Collection

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

Creation Date

1898-02-02

A female figure labeled “Civilization” pulls the pigtail labeled “Worn Out Traditions” of a man labeled “China.” She is holding a pair of scissors labeled “19th Century Progress” and is about to cut the pigtail. There are telegraph poles, plows, and locomotives hanging from her waist.

Collection

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

Creation Date

1898-10-19

Printed copy of Theodore Roosevelt’s speech in Minneapolis released to newspapers. Roosevelt speaks on the nature of conscientious objectors during World War I. He says that the majority of objectors are either lazy or pro-German and gives arguments for why religious groups like the Society of Friends should participate in the war. He says that true objectors can still serve in other capacities. He calls for more representation of working men and farmers in Washington and for universal military service.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1917-09-28

President Roosevelt congratulates the assembly on their efficiency and forthrightness in their economic dealings, which he praises as characteristic of the United States. He asserts that the United States is successful enough to not be jealous of other successful nations, and to help weaker nations like Cuba and China. The United States embraces peace due to a “genuine desire for self-respecting friendship with our neighbors” rather than weakness. In addition to international peace, he also speaks to domestic peace in an industrial society, particularly between employers and employees. This is the press copy of Roosevelt’s speech.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-11-11

President Roosevelt congratulates the assembly on their efficiency and forthrightness in their economic dealings, which he praises as characteristic of the United States. He asserts that the United States is successful enough to not be jealous of other successful nations, and to help weaker nations like Cuba and China. The United States embraces peace due to a “genuine desire for self-respecting friendship with our neighbors” rather than weakness. In addition to international peace, he also speaks to domestic peace in an industrial society, particularly between employers and employees. This is the press copy of Roosevelt’s speech.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-11-11

President Roosevelt congratulates the New York Chamber of Commerce on their efficiency and forthrightness in their economic dealings, which he praises as characteristic of the United States. He asserts that the United States is successful enough to not be jealous of other successful nations, and to help weaker nations like Cuba and China. The United States embraces peace due to a “genuine desire for self-respecting friendship with our neighbors” rather than weakness. In addition to international peace, he also speaks to domestic peace in an industrial society, particularly between employers and employees. This is the printed copy of Roosevelt’s speech.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-11-11

Governor Taft would be pleased to have Jeremiah Whipple Jenks visit the China mission and is willing to contribute $5,000.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-08-06

Secretary of the Treasury Shaw states that the Treasury Department and the Bureau of Immigration will be liberal with the admission of individuals that may fall under the Chinese Exclusion Laws if they are attending the Louisiana Purchase Exposition. China has been invited to participate and the good faith of their participating citizens should not be questioned. Shaw assumes that the Department of Commerce and Labor will have the same policy.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-07-06

Print shows a scene in a courtroom with a Chinese man labeled “Chinese Question” sitting in a chair in front of three men identified as “France,” “Germany” (William II), and “Russia.” “Judge” John Bull is standing at the judge’s bench and is introducing Uncle Sam labeled “Protector of the Philippines” as an “Associate Judge.”

Caption: Judge John Bull–Gentlemen, let me present the new Associate Judge. The trial of this Chinese case will now proceed.

Collection

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

A man wearing a hat labeled “Oregon,” and holding two handguns, gives Chinese men a “Hobson’s choice” or the option of leaving by jumping off a cliff into the sea below (on the right) or staying and being shot to death (on the left). At his feet is a “Treaty with China” torn in half.

Collection

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

Creation Date

1886-02-24

At center, a Mahdi soldier and a Chinese soldier gloat over recent victories. On the left, the British army is routed by Mahdi forces in the Sudan, and on the right, the French army is routed by Chinese forces in “Tonquin” (i.e., Tonkin or North Vietnam). Caption: El Mahdi and John Chinaman – “Great Scott! What terrible fellows we are!”

Collection

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

Creation Date

1885-04-08

Print shows Uncle Sam holding a “Trade Treaty with China”, standing on a “Map of China” in the midst of foreign rulers labeled “Germany, Italy, England, Austria, Russia [and] France.” Depicted are William II, Umberto I, John Bull, Franz Joseph I sharpening scissors at a grinding stone in the background, Uncle Sam, Nicholas II, and Emile Loubet, each with large scissors, intent on cutting up the map.

Caption: Uncle Sam (to the Powers)–Gentlemen, you may cut up this map as much as you like; but remember that I’m here to stay, and that you can’t divide me up into spheres of influence!

Collection

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

Uncle Sam prepares a list of places in China where “Americans [have been] killed by Chinese,” and a Chinese man prepares a list of places in America where “Chinese [have been] killed by Americans,” including the latest incident in “Wyoming Territory.” Caption: China “Taking in the late massacre of my people in Wyoming Territory, there seems to be a slight balance to my credit!”

Collection

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

Creation Date

1885-09-16

Startled French soldiers in rice paddies confront an angry blazing sun rimmed with cannon barrels and bayonets, and stating “Population 500,000,000.” Signs labeled “Malaria, Disease, [and] Fever,” as well as Chinese soldiers also face them. Caption: China – “I will make it HOT for you!”

Collection

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

Creation Date

1883-09-12

The American Ambassador stands at the head of a dinner table around which are seated the heads of state of several European countries and China, offering them baked beans and “Ice Water” for dinner. Also cooling in a bucket of ice are bottles of “Root Beer” and “Ginge[r] Ale.” On a tight budget, beans are all he can afford. Caption: American Ambassador (who has to live on his salary) — Let me help you to some more baked beans, Princess. My wife cooked them herself.

comments and context

Comments and Context

Carl Hassmann’s drawing, at first glance, is of a formal diplomatic dinner, proper and with superficial pleasantries. A closer look reveals that the tablecloth of the American ambassador is patched, the food and drink is lower than common fare, and several people in the dinner party are laughing to themselves or disdaining the social situation.

Second Assistant Secretary of State Adee reports that he has had a visit from the Japanese minister who left him copies of two telegrams from the Japanese foreign office concerning Russia’s violation of China’s neutrality and Japan’s threat to take matters into its own hands. Adee encloses these two telegrams along with a copy of the memorandum of the interview that took place between himself and the Japanese minister.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-08-26

Governor Roosevelt congratulates William Woodville Rockhill for his recent diplomatic appointment to China and expresses his own resolve as the vice presidential candidate for the Republican Party. Roosevelt also thanks Rockhill for a book, which was an account of the explorations of William of Rubruck that Rockhill had recently translated.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1900-07-21

President Roosevelt writes to William Woodvill Rockhill to detail the background behind a misunderstanding with Chinese missionaries, citing a previous incident where they felt brushed aside by Rockhill, the American Minister to China. Roosevelt also asks Rockhill to explain a rumored rivalry between the Chinese and the Japanese. Roosevelt further mentions his desire to keep Chinese laborers out of the United States while supporting Chinese students, travelers, and businessmen.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1905-05-18