Your TR Source
Ambassador Reid sends President Roosevelt a confidential memorandum. Reid also discusses a British dinner party and European perspectives of international relations and politics.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-06-23
Ambassador Meyer writes to Secretary of State Hay regarding the appointment of Japanese and Russian plenipotentiaries, the diplomatic meeting place, and the plans for an armistice.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-06-20
Assistant Secretary of State Loomis confirms that special care will be taken to observe President Roosevelt’s request that no communications in reference to the peace negotiations be published in the Blue Book without his consent.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-06-19
Ambassador Meyer writes to Secretary of State Hay discussing the diplomatic meeting places which were being considered. According to Meyer, Foreign Minister Lamsdorf had informed Count Cassini that the Russians would prefer to meet at The Hague. However, President Roosevelt had already designated Washington as the diplomatic meeting place.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-06-16
Nicholas Murray Butler is giving President Roosevelt the schedule of his upcoming trip along with the address where he can be reached. He wants Roosevelt to know that he will be meeting with the Emperor at Wilhelmshohe in August to discuss the interchange of professors and educational subjects. Butler is also congratulating Roosevelt on his role in the Japan-Russian matter.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-06-15
Secretary of War Taft and Assistant Secretary of State Loomis and Herbert Wolcott Bowen question William Worthington Russell about papers left by Loomis in Caracas, Venezuela. Russell states that the papers were left in the safe but Bowen contends that he found some of them on Russell’s desk. Russell denies opening any of the papers.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-06-10
Acting Secretary of State Loomis writes to Ambassador Meyer mentioning that the Russian Ambassador awaits Meyer’s message via cable. According to Loomis, the Russian Ambassador believes that Meyer misunderstood the Emperor’s stance regarding receiving a note from President Roosevelt. Loomis then goes into discussion regarding the lines of communication between Russian government officials and other officials.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-06-10
The Japanese Minister Takahira thanks President Roosevelt for his “wise and discreet efforts in the interest of peace.” The Japanese government shares his interest and will send a formal reply once Roosevelt’s note is received. Regarding the meeting place for plenipotentiaries, Takahira thinks Cheffoo, China, will be most suitable, as it is not tied to any political centers. Takahira inquires if it is known who will be chosen as the Russian plenipotentiary.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-06-09
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
Ambassador Meyer informs Secretary of State Hay about the Russian Emperor’s belief that his people prefer war over peace. Meyer mentions that the Emperor agrees with President Roosevelt’s proposition, which is to be kept quiet, and the Emperor wishes for Roosevelt to directly convince Japan to agree for Russian and Japanese plenipotentiaries to meet and discuss peace. Meyer adds that the Emperor hopes for these events to happen soon before any attacks take place.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-06-07
President Reyes seeks support from President Roosevelt in reconstructing Colombia. Reyes tells Roosevelt that Colombia has suffered from anarchy and poverty owing to three years of “civil strife and approaching disintegration,” during which a revolution had taken place in Panama, leading to its secession from Colombia. In the five months of his presidency, Reyes has subdued anarchy and closed the “era of savage warfare” in Colombia. Reyes believes Roosevelt helping him to reconstruct Colombia would be an act of simple justice.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-01-13
Railroad official John J. McCook writes to President Roosevelt regarding an act controlling commerce and rebating. The act involved railroad officers and Interstate Commerce Commission members. McCook discusses former President McKinley’s efforts to ensure this law is enforced but suggests that some did not take this law seriously. McCook mentions that McKinley had put off handling this situation during his administration and suggests that Roosevelt should now take up this issue.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-01-09
William F. Saunders assures William Loeb that he understands President Roosevelt’s position regarding a letter he had written to him regarding the situation in Missouri, and that he has not used the letter. Saunders had received letters from Albert Shaw and Thomas J. Akins on the subject.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-11-02
John Lowndes McLaurin encloses a letter for President Roosevelt that is confidential except for William Loeb.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-11-11
Henry C. Peterson wishes to tell President Roosevelt a secret he has regarding the late President McKinley, but does not feel comfortable doing so in writing. He asks Roosevelt to suggest a way in which he can tell him this secret in person.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1901-09-21
George B. Cortelyou suggests that Charles Krumm write a confidential letter outlining the matter he previously mentioned.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1901-09-23
George B. Cortelyou suggests that Henry C. Peterson write a confidential letter outlining the matter he previously mentioned. ]
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1901-09-23
President Roosevelt writes to journalist and explorer George Kennan regarding his article in The Outlook titled “The Sword of Peace in Japan.” He explains that Kennan’s analysis of Japan’s role in the peace agreement is incorrect, and supports his position with confidential facts. Kennan is told that none of the information in the letter is to be made public, but that he may use it to draw more accurate conclusions. Roosevelt explains that he himself did not force Japan into peace, and that he was not interested in boosting his own reputation through the negotiations. Japan willfully asked for the peace agreement, and also for Roosevelt’s involvement. Despite Kennan’s claims, Japan was in no position to demand an indemnity. The cost of the war, both literal and figurative, was too great for Japan to bear, and so they chose to negotiate for peace. They do not want these facts revealed for fear of embarrassment, Roosevelt explains. He supports Japan’s decisions, although he believes they could have fought harder in the agreement for the ownership of the northern half of Sakhalin Island. He quotes a note from Japan’s Minister of Foreign Affairs to support his claims.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-10-15
George B. Cortelyou encloses a letter from President Roosevelt to Senator George Frisbie Hoar for Secretary of War Root’s confidential reading.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-12-23
At the direction of President Roosevelt, George B. Cortelyou encloses communications from Representative Campbell Slemp and S. Brown Allen for Postmaster General Henry C. Payne’s confidential reading and suggestions. [S. Brown Allen is transposed as S. Allen Brown in this letter.]
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-12-24