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Eastern question (Far East)

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Letter from Charlemagne Tower to Theodore Roosevelt

Letter from Charlemagne Tower to Theodore Roosevelt

Ambassador Tower writes to President Roosevelt about a confidential interview he had with Emperor William II, particularly with regard to the situation in China and the Far East. The Emperor feels that Roosevelt’s attitudes towards China have been helpful for all nations’ interests in China. The Emperor had been formally approached by France regarding a cooperation between Germany, France, and England “for the purpose of establishing permanent control within Chinese territory.” He declared that he would not be part of such an arrangement, and that Germany was in favor of an open door policy. The Emperor believes that immediate danger has been put off by Roosevelt’s actions and by Secretary of State John Hay’s note.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-02-04

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Charlemagne Tower

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Charlemagne Tower

President Roosevelt is impressed with Ambassador Tower’s report on the relationship between the U.S. and Japan. Roosevelt does not believe Japan plans to launch an attack, but acknowledges rising tensions and cites the movement of the Great White Fleet as part of his efforts to be prepared. Roosevelt also asks Tower to thank the German officials and especially Emperor William II for their help and agrees that the U.S. should maintain the Open Door Policy with China.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-11-19

Letter from William H. Taft to Theodore Roosevelt

Letter from William H. Taft to Theodore Roosevelt

President Taft appreciates Theodore Roosevelt’s letter regarding the “diplomatic questions” with Japan. He agrees that action should not be taken in Manchuria that would be considered hostile by the Japanese but American rights under the open door policy should not be abandoned. The Japanese find parts of the new treaty discriminative and reflective of the “old order.” Original and copy.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-01-17

Letter from Henry Cabot Lodge to Theodore Roosevelt

Letter from Henry Cabot Lodge to Theodore Roosevelt

Senator Lodge discusses a number of topics regarding the late Secretary of State John Hay. Lodge bemoans the editing of a publication of Hay’s letters, claiming that Hay was “one of the best if not the best letter writer of his time,” but the publication does not do him justice. He reminisces on the many men of letters he has known in his life, and believes that Hay was the most “brilliant, humorous, sympathetic, [and] witty” among them. Lodge holds more criticism for Hay in his role as a secretary of state, discussing how Hay bungled multiple treaties, took credit for accomplishments that were not his own, and formed poor relations with the Senate. 

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1909-02-14

Memorandum of conversation with Count Komura, Minister for Foreign Affairs

Memorandum of conversation with Count Komura, Minister for Foreign Affairs

John Callan O’Laughlin recounts his conversation with Jutarō Komura, the Japanese Minister for Foreign Affairs. Komura assured O’Laughlin of Japan’s commitment to the Open Door in China, although its relations with Russia mean that they have interests in Manchuria. Komura also says that Japan has been discouraging immigration to Hawaii and the United States, although the country would like to be treated as an equal with other nations by the United States.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-10-21

Letter from Hermann Speck von Sternburg to Theodore Roosevelt

Letter from Hermann Speck von Sternburg to Theodore Roosevelt

German Ambassador Sternburg provides President Roosevelt the text of a letter from the German minister in Peking. The letter states that China desires a closer relationship with the United States and Germany, but that they would like any agreement between the powers to be secret so as not to upset other powers. Sternburg advises against secrecy. He also praises Roosevelt for his recent message to Congress and relays his wife’s greeting to Roosevelt and Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-04-14

Russia, Japan, and ourselves

Russia, Japan, and ourselves

Charles Assheton Whately Pownall reviews the situation in Asia that led to the current war between Russia and Japan. Both powers are interested in seizing territory in China, which is hardly able to defend itself from the attacks from either side. Since being chastised earlier for trying to seize territory Japan has improved its naval strength and wishes to get revenge for the slight of Russia seizing Port Arthur, which Japan wanted for itself. Pownall muses about the relative weakness of Russia, because while it has a large army, the troops themselves are not necessarily cohesive because of all the different nationalities in the Russian Empire, and it will be difficult to reinforce the army in the Eastern part of Russia. Japan has also made treaties with various powers, giving it allies against Russia. Pownall believes that it is important that neither Russia nor Japan are able to gain a monopoly on trade with China.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-03

Letter from John Hay to Theodore Roosevelt

Letter from John Hay to Theodore Roosevelt

The ambassadors of France and Russia have submitted identical memorandums to the State Department. They agree with the principles outlined in the English-Japanese Convention drafted January 30, 1902, which maintains the independence of China and Korea while encouraging international commerce. The allied governments reserve the right to consult if the safety of their interests are threatened. Secretary of State Hay encloses a suggested reply.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-03-19