Diplomacy

In his address at the National War College, James N. Mattis stresses both the inspirational power of Theodore Roosevelt and the United States. Mattis provides examples of presidents whose actions fit Roosevelt’s mantra of leadership, and he relates the story of a captured solider in Iraq who hoped to somehow immigrate to the United States. Mattis asserts that Roosevelt knew the value of power, but he also cultivated the diplomacy of inspiration, and Mattis concludes that inspiration trumps intimidation. Mattis also contends that the post-World War II “Greatest Generation” of American leaders took their cue from the example set by Roosevelt.

Four photographs, and a page devoted to pictures of Mattis with a brief biography, populate the address.

Collection

Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal

Oscar S. Straus acknowledges the letter and enclosures Jacob Saphirstein sent him of an editorial from the Jewish Morning Journal regarding the Russian passport question and the endorsement by Straus of Theodore Roosevelt’s proposal for arbitration of the passport question. Straus verifies his support of Roosevelt’s proposal and lists some of reasons for doing so. Straus invites Saphirstein to visit to discuss further details.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-10-24

Creator(s)

Straus, Oscar S. (Oscar Solomon), 1850-1926

Andrew Carnegie accepts President Roosevelt’s invitation and sets a date for their luncheon. Carnegie congratulates Roosevelt on Archibald B. Roosevelt’s recovery. Roosevelt now has time for other matters. Issuance of capital stock to finance railroads needs to be regulated. Carnegie will show Roosevelt his speech for the Peace Conference and hopes to receive suggestions. He thinks that he will have greater success if Elihu Root goes to the Hague with him.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-03-12

Creator(s)

Carnegie, Andrew, 1835-1919

American Minister to the Dominican Republic McCreery informs Secretary of State Root that Mexican President Porfirio Díaz has called on the presidents of Nicaragua, Honduras, Guatemala, El Salvador, and Costa Rica to act in accordance with the United States and Mexico on the matter.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-02-12

Creator(s)

McCreery, Fenton Reuben, 1866-1940

Ambassador Sternburg sends President Roosevelt a copy of Roosevelt’s December 5th, 1905, speech to Congress with portions underlined which were appreciated in Germany. Sternburg loaned his copy of Roosevelt’s December 4th, 1906, speech to Mrs. Habson and has not gotten it back.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-01-31

Creator(s)

Sternburg, Hermann Speck von, Freiherr, 1852-1908

Ambassador Francis writes to President Roosevelt to explain that normally he does not conduct newspaper interviews but in this circumstance he felt offering a statement in writing was acceptable. He also hopes Roosevelt will approve of his statement, given to a Viennese newspaper and La Rousse of St. Petersburg, Russia. In the copy of his statement, Francis describes Japan and the United States as good friends, and describes Russia as “their old ally and firm friend.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-01-18

Creator(s)

Francis, Charles S. (Charles Spencer), 1853-1911

Ambassador Reid now realizes that there is “grave danger” in the Kaiser’s correspondence when he references the Hague Conference. Reid believes that some European nations will not consent to a reduction and “probably not to a limitation of armament especially on land.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-01-15

Creator(s)

Reid, Whitelaw, 1837-1912

Ambassador Reid traces the origins of a story that President Roosevelt heard. Reid does not think the story could have come from the British Ambassador at Berlin, Frank Cavendish Lascelles. Reid has looked over the correspondence Roosevelt sent to see if there is anything in Roosevelt’s letter or the Emperor’s which could do harm if known to the King.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-01-12

Creator(s)

Reid, Whitelaw, 1837-1912

Ambassador Francis tells President Roosevelt he fielded a request from the Neue Freie Presse, for an interview regarding the controversy between the United States and Japan on the tensions in California. Francis encloses what he gave the reporter. He also notes that about 400 guests came to a reception at the American Embassy on Thanksgiving Day, and he sends holiday greetings to the Roosevelts.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-12-12

Creator(s)

Francis, Charles S. (Charles Spencer), 1853-1911

Ambassador Francis reports to President Roosevelt on a recent visit he made to Budapest, and notes that he made a similar report, through William Loeb, following an earlier visit. He plans to go again in April or May, unless something should require his attention there earlier. He will also visit northern Hungary and perhaps Galicia in May or June.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-12-11

Creator(s)

Francis, Charles S. (Charles Spencer), 1853-1911

William Loeb writes to Assistant Secretary of State Forster with a message for him to deliver to Japanese Minister Kogoro Takahira. President Roosevelt explains the situation regarding Russian plenipotentiaries. Russia has agreed to move the peace talks to Washington, D.C., from the Hague, Netherlands. Roosevelt believes that Russia indeed intends to make peace with Japan and he feels it would be best to grant an armistice if one is requested.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-07-02

Creator(s)

Loeb, William, 1866-1937

George von Lengerke Meyer writes to Secretary of State Hay about a letter Meyer received from Russian Foreign Minister V. N. Lamzdorf. In the letter, Lamzdorf points out that the Imperial Government would like President Roosevelt to find out Japan’s viewpoint on an armistice and Japan’s plans for appointing plenipotentiaries. Meyer goes on to express his idea that both Japan and Russia should give their plenipotentiary nominations to Roosevelt, who will then share the nominations with each country’s ambassadors.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-06-23

Creator(s)

Meyer, George von Lengerke, 1858-1918

Count Lamzdorf informs Count Cassini that the Imperial Russian government does not object to The Hague as a meeting place for plenipotentiaries. The Russian Emperor will appoint people of high rank who have his confidence to be the delegates.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-06-14

Creator(s)

Lamzdorf, V. N. (Vladimir Nikolaevich), graf, 1844-1907

The French Minister at Fez, Théophile Delcassé, denies ever saying anything like the ultimatum spoken of in German diplomatic messages, and has not heard rumors of similar ultimatums being spoken either. Includes both a handwritten copy and a typed copy.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-06-12

Creator(s)

Unknown

It is reported that Great Britain has offered to enter into an alliance with France against Germany. This may appeal to France if she cannot come to an arrangement with Germany regarding Morocco. Although France has offered Germany a “sphere of interest” in Morocco, Germany has pledged to stand by the Sultan of Morocco. President Roosevelt is asked to suggest that a conference would be the best means to finding a peaceful solution to the “Morocco question.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-06-11

Creator(s)

Unknown

Brander Matthews sends President Roosevelt an article and pamphlet. Matthews admires Roosevelt’s ability to persuade others to “give over fighting” and hopes the president can get some real rest ahead of the “hour of struggle.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-06-11

Creator(s)

Matthews, Brander, 1852-1929

William Loeb transcribes several telegrams sent to President Roosevelt in his absence concerning the ongoing international diplomatic efforts to end the Russo-Japanese War. In response to Roosevelt’s suggestion, plenipotentiaries from both Japan and Russia will negotiate terms of peace. It is rumored that Russia will recommend Paris as the location for the meeting.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-06-11

Creator(s)

Loeb, William, 1866-1937

Herbert Wolcott Bowen writes to William H. Taft regarding an incident in which Assistant Secretary of State Francis B. Loomis, when Minister to Venezuela, allegedly purchased the Mercade claim. Bowen asks Taft to send him to Caracas with Captain Parker and Consul Carlton Bailey Hurst under orders to take testimony of anyone acquainted with the case and to get certified copies of papers showing the bank and governmental transactions of Loomis.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-06-09

Creator(s)

Bowen, Herbert Wolcott, 1856-1927

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.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-06-07

Creator(s)

O'Laughlin, John Callan, 1873-1949

Diplomat John Gardiner Coolidge confirms the Department of State’s telegram of January 6 regarding the Chinese government’s cancellation of agreements with the American China Development Company, and details the actions he took in response to the message. Coolidge observes that Zhang Zhidong seems to have been placed in control over the situation, but is no less hostile than the previous official. He advises that a representative of the American China Development Company be sent to argue their case and explain past misunderstandings.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-01-25

Creator(s)

Coolidge, John Gardner, 1863-1936