Your TR Source
Theodore Roosevelt appreciates the article in The Sun. He chastises the “weak-minded individuals” who describe peace advocates Henry Ford and William Jennings Bryan as “well-meaning.” Roosevelt believes that they are “doing the work of the devil” and have a “tendency to make themselves ridiculous.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-12-06
Theodore Roosevelt conveys his deepest sympathies to Huelin C. O’Neill on the death of his son. Roosevelt agrees with O’Neill about how unprepared the United States is to meet the threat of World War, and he believes that there should be compulsory universal military training. Roosevelt has had enough of “peace-at-any-price apostles” who will bring “only dishonor and disaster.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-06-16
President Roosevelt details the numerous accomplishments of Secretary of State Elihu Root to Andrew Carnegie. Roosevelt makes clear that while the successes occurred during his administration, the credit for State Department efforts firmly belongs to Root, especially as they relate to world peace. Roosevelt is unable to give a speech in Norway, as the request came after he accepted three speaking engagements in Europe and rejected all others.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1909-02-26
President Roosevelt thanks Paul Morton for both the telegram congratulating him for his role in the peace negotiations between Japan and Russia, and for a letter in which Morton made “most admirable suggestions.” Roosevelt is pleased that although he is no longer the Secretary of the Navy, Morton is still helping him.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-09-04
President Roosevelt sends Cecil Spring Rice the text of two letters that he sent to Kentarō Kaneko, a member of the Japanese delegation in the peace talks to end the Russo-Japanese War. He urged Kaneko and Japan to accept a peace agreement, rather than simply continuing the war in hopes of getting a large sum of money from Russia in the form of an indemnity. Roosevelt believes that without his intervention, Russia and Japan could not have made peace.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-09-01
President Roosevelt hopes to have Baron Kaneko for lunch once the peace settlement is assured. He hopes that the Japanese will publicly tout how much they have won.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-09-02
President Roosevelt instructs Ambassador Meyer to make it clear to Russian Emperor Nicholas II that accepting in principle the terms that Roosevelt has suggested would not commit Russia to paying any particular sum of money, and that that could be a subject of further negotiation with Japan. If Russia accepts the terms in principal, Roosevelt will do his best to get Japan to accept them as well.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-08-23
Following up on his letter of the previous day, President Roosevelt argues that it is both in the self-interest of Japan, as well as in the interest of the world, for Japan to make peace with Russia. He reminds Baron Kaneko of the various territorial gains Japan has already made, and suggests that continuing the war would cost Japan more money than it would stand to gain from Russia. Roosevelt also suggests that the world is looking to Japan to take a position of leadership and act nobly in bringing the Russo-Japanese war to an end.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-08-23
President Roosevelt gives Herbert H. D. Peirce a message to communicate to Sergei Witte, Roosevelt believes Witte misunderstood his previous message, and attempts to make clear his proposal for Russia paying an indemnity to regain control of the northern part of Sakhalin Island and repatriate military prisoners. The exact price can be decided through further negotiations with Japan–the current issue is simply to agree in principle to such an exchange. Roosevelt believes Russian Emperor Nicholas II should be shown the telegram directly to avoid miscommunication.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-08-23
President Roosevelt was pleased to receive James Stillman’s kind letter, but is worried that the positive opinion of his European friends will be short lived. He is disheartened by the progress of peace negotiations between Japan and Russia, as Russia has taken “an impossible position” regarding Sakhalin and its refusal to pay any money, and is refusing to budge an inch. Roosevelt believes that Japan is asking for too much money as a war indemnity, but thinks that this could be solved, and feels that the problem is Russia.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-08-28
President Roosevelt believes Ambassador Reid has handled the matter correctly. While he would be pleased if Cecil Spring Rice were the British Ambassador to the United States, Roosevelt also likes Ambassador H. Mortimer Durand, and would not wish to hurt his feelings. Roosevelt laments the progress of trying to mediate between Japan and Russia, placing much of the blame on Russia’s intransigence.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-06-30
President Roosevelt informs Russian Ambassador Cassini that he has recently spoken to Japanese Ambassador Kogoro Takahira, and will appoint Washington, D.C., as the meeting place between the two delegations. If it is too hot, Cassini can arrange for the meeting to take place somewhere further north. Roosevelt invites Cassini to visit the White House so he can tell him all the details.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-06-15
President Roosevelt has spoken to Secretary of State John Hay about the matter William Emlen Roosevelt brought to his attention concerning James Alexander Scrymser’s recommendations. The president informs William Emlen Roosevelt Hay has wired the Peruvian authorities and inquires if that is satisfactory.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-12-16
President Roosevelt instructs Acting Secretary of State Adee to notify Secretary of the Navy Paul Morton and Admiral Caspar F. Goodrich that the officers may be paroled to San Francisco if Minister Taro Katsura objects to their being sent home.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-09-17
President Roosevelt tells Acting Secretary of State Adee they must have an immediate decision from the Russian representative regarding the Lena‘s disarmament and repairs. Roosevelt wishes to close the incident quickly. Roosevelt also considers what to do with the crew and officers of the ship.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-09-14
Theodore Roosevelt informs Bishop McCabe that Russia has formally notified the powers that it would resent any attempt at mediation. Roosevelt is sympathetic to McCabe’s desire to end the bloodshed, but unfortunately, his suggestion would be seen by Russia as unwarrantable interference.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-09-01
Theodore Roosevelt forwards a letter from William Emlen Roosevelt regarding the Central and South American Telegraph Company. Roosevelt believes a lengthy discussion will be needed upon return to Washington.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-08-27
Acting Secretary of State Adee encloses a copy of a dispatch from Ambassador Whitelaw Reid on the subject of fishery rights in Newfoundland. The note from the Foreign Office states that the divergence of views between the American and British governments makes an immediate settlement impossible. The British government, however, is prepared to work on an arrangement allowing conflicting parties to exist peacefully and will submit relevant proposals in the near future.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-08-28
President Roosevelt gives Cecil Spring Rice his assessment on the Russo-Japanese War. Roosevelt is not concerned with the emergence of Japan as a world power and does not think that Japan will become more aggressive. Roosevelt is concerned that Russia must be contained, but insists to Spring Rice that the U.S. has no intention of intervening in the war. In a postscript, Roosevelt discusses the differences between Japanese and American culture and diplomacy, and reflects on race and culture.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-06-13
President Roosevelt informs Archbishop John Ireland that Secretary of War Taft is arranging a special court for the church property cases in the Philippines. Roosevelt expresses his appreciation for the “great service to the country” that Ireland has given.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-06-03