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President Roosevelt hopes the movement mentioned by Representative Gardner will have some effect. Most of Roosevelt’s information indicates that the political movement to restrict immigration proved harmful. Gardner’s fight with Senator George A. Schofield concerns Roosevelt, as does Samuel Gompers’s attitude.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-09-04
President Roosevelt sends Secretary of Commerce and Labor Metcalf a letter on behalf of Rudolph B. Scott, who was recently discharged from his position as Chinese inspector. Roosevelt does not feel that it is right for Scott to be discharged, as it appears in the record that as though he was discharged for carrying out Roosevelt’s policy of making sure that Chinese merchants and students were not harassed, and asks if he can be reinstated. He would like Metcalf to look into this matter personally.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-07-09
After speaking with Speaker of the House Cannon, President Roosevelt has been thinking about the immigration bill and wishes that Cannon could support it and encourage others to support it. Roosevelt believes the opposition to the bill comes from people who look to obtain masses of cheap labor, as well as steamship companies. Roosevelt believes that in spite of agitation among German and Scandinavian populations against the bill it would not affect immigration from either region. Roosevelt admits that the bill is not drawn up as he himself would have done it and enumerates several changes he wishes were in place. Overall, Roosevelt wishes for an immigration bill to stem the flow of cheap labor, allowing wages to rise, and to focus on admitting people of good character who will improve the communities that they join. In a handwritten note, Roosevelt recognizes that the Pure Food bill and the Naturalization bill must be considered first but hopes to be able to have all three bills pass.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-05-27
President Roosevelt asks Secretary of Commerce and Labor Metcalf to make a personal report about the enclosed matter regarding immigration. In particular, he would like a report about Ellis Island regarding a method of improving the examination of immigrants by doctors.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-02-22
President Roosevelt thought that the article in the Cosmopolitan about Paul Morton was good. He also says he has thought about Morton’s opinion on immigration, and the Italian ambassador made a similar suggestion. Roosevelt is not sure he can “work it out,” but he will carefully consider it.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-09-19
President Roosevelt agrees with Lucius B. Swift regarding Chinese immigration and has asked Secretary of Commerce and Labor George B. Cortelyou to look at Swift’s letter.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-01-05
Vice President Roosevelt forwards a letter and his response to George B. Cortelyou. He thinks that they should be liberal with Chinese immigrants because he hopes for more merchants and students.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-01-05
President Roosevelt believes that an immigrant’s character is more important than education but an education qualification should be considered. Roosevelt does not expect immigration legislation this winter and would like to see Arthur von Briesen’s report after the presidential election so that “extreme partisans” will still consider public opinion.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-12-02
Chief Investigator Kellor is sending the first annual report of the New York Bureau of Industries and Immigration. Kellor requests Theodore Roosevelt’s editorial suggestions and thoughts on policy.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-03-15
President Jordan of Stanford University argues against a clause in the Dillingham Immigration bill that excludes Japanese laborers and farmers as “people ineligible for citizenship.” The Japanese have upheld a tacit agreement that prevents Japanese laborers from receiving passports to the United States in return for no exclusion act being directed at Japan. The current bill will damage American interests and end the successful agreement with Japan.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-01-26
Professor Ross’s publisher is sending Theodore Roosevelt a complimentary copy of Ross’s book, The Changing Chinese. Ross recommends two chapters that lay out his case for Chinese exclusion.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-10-26
Senator Lodge agrees with Theodore Roosevelt’s thoughts on Russia but is still puzzled on the best course of action. There is certainly a difference between American travelers and Asian immigrants but Lodge does not want to force any class of citizens on a country. He is relieved to hear of Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt’s recovery.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-10-24
Professor Ross was pleased to receive Theodore Roosevelt’s letter regarding Ross’s article entitled “The Struggle for Existence in China.” Ross has been anticipating an effort to end barriers against “Oriental immigration” as part of a policy to expand trade. The article was an effort to have an “unanswerable argument” against Chinese immigration without the “taint of racial prejudice.” Ross will soon be publishing a new book entitled The Changing Chinese and may be able to see Roosevelt in New York on September 15.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-08-01
Frances Kellor, Chief Investigator of the New York Bureau of Industries and Immigration, encloses a preliminary report from New York’s new Bureau of Industries and Immigration. She would like to discuss creating similar bureaus in other states and at the federal level to handle “the problem of aliens resident” in the United States. Kellor would like to see each state have an immigration bureau cooperating with a federal coordinating bureau.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-08-01
This memorandum details a political analysis of Japan’s willingness to go to war with the United States, partially over the Gentlemen’s Agreement of 1907 and anti-Japanese sentiments in the United States. The author concludes that a war with the United States would negatively affect Japanese finances and exports, with little to gain should they win. Also pondered are the root causes of Japanese migration to the United States and what Japan might stand to gain in a war with the United States, Russia, or China.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908
This memorandum is broken into three parts. The first part evaluates Japan’s capacity to wage war, declaring that the Japanese army is in an “unfavorable condition for war.” While Japan is expected to have limited opportunities to procure credit throughout Europe, European political interests might align with Japan’s need for capital and allow them the funds for improvements. The following section describes immigration constraints on the Japanese in the United States, compared with their experiences in Korea and Manchuria, and how insulted the people of Japan are by American racism. The third section focuses on the attitude of military men towards the United States, reporting that military personnel are insulted by the Gentleman’s Agreement of 1907. The memo lists possible tactics and invasion points that Japan may employ in a future war against the United States.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908
Arthur Hamilton Lee is pleased that President Roosevelt was willing to sit for a portrait by Fülöp László, and looks forward to seeing it. He updates Roosevelt on the progress of William Lyon Mackenzie King, who is in England advocating for Roosevelt’s policy on Japanese immigration to English-speaking countries. Lee agrees that such immigration should be limited, and King is making inroads in getting the government to cooperate on this matter.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-03-31
Thomas Malcolm Harvey Kincaid-Smith, a member of the British House of Commons, tells John J. McCook that in England the matter concerning Japanese immigration is considered settled thanks to President Roosevelt’s actions. Kincaid-Smith believes the issue will not remain settled, but the concern in England is small, as the problem is largely affecting the American Pacific Coast.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-02-09
Japanese Minister for Foreign Affairs Tadasu Hayashi has asked Ambassador O’Brien to pass on a summary of Japanese Ambassador Kogoro Takahira’s conversation with President Roosevelt on 25 October, 1907, to Secretary of State Root. Takahira advised Roosevelt that positive steps must be taken to counteract negative public opinion toward Japan, and expanded on several points to consider. It is the opinion of the Japanese government that an agreement allowing Japanese workers into the United States that is satisfactory to both parties is impossible under existing circumstances. Takahira also asks that the opinions he stated be kept in confidence, as he is not authorized to speak on these matters by the Japanese government.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-11-03
Kentarō Kaneko discusses the relations between the United States and Japan, especially regarding the current debate surrounding immigration. He describes Japanese responses to the unrest in San Francisco and urges President Roosevelt to stop it before it damages relations further. Kaneko praises Roosevelt’s views on international relations, as well as his new immigration commission, and condemns Cardinal James Gibbons’s recent article on international peace, which Kaneko feels is anti-Japanese.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-07-07