Your TR Source
Theodore Roosevelt’s secretary informs Hans Herzfeld that he can apply for his final naturalization papers after five continuous years of residing in the United States. Herzfeld will then take an exam of basic questions and provide two witnesses.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-03-06
Theodore Roosevelt will read David Healy’s article with interest. He agrees with Healy about the bars and thinks his suggestion about transferring the Bureau of Immigration to the State Department has merit.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-02-28
On behalf of Theodore Roosevelt, his secretary acknowledges Livingstone F. Dickens’ letter and explains that since Roosevelt does not know all the circumstances, he should not give his opinion on the matter. Regarding crossing the Canadian border, as an emigrant, Dickens would likely be allowed to bring his personal effects to the United States.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-01-30
Theodore Roosevelt has read President Taft’s message, and has nothing to say but words of agreement and commendation. Roosevelt comments that the only international trouble that he sees as a possibility would be conflict with Japan, but feels that this is unlikely. He comments, however, that the Japanese are sensitive towards “their vital interests […] as to the Pacific slope,” and feels their immigration should not be allowed.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1910-12-08
Theodore Roosevelt writes to John G. Reilly of Portsmouth, Ohio, that he cannot comment or offer advice on local elections. Roosevelt agrees with Reilly that after the war, the United States will likely be dealing with an influx of immigrants, which they should prepare for now.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1916-01-05
Theodore Roosevelt is no longer connected with The Outlook but will forward Ernest Ludwig’s letter and book. Roosevelt receives a large number of letters from abroad and cannot promise publication. He agrees with many of Ernest Ludwig’s thoughts on immigration.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-04-02
Theodore Roosevelt believes that African Americans could do well in Brazil. He thinks that the country has a great future, there is no color line, and there are many opportunities for stock raising. Roosevelt recommends first learning Portuguese and beginning with a small investment. There is always considerable doubt when making such a drastic change. If the Faver family decides to go to Brazil, Roosevelt offers to write a letter of introduction to the American ambassador to Brazil.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-02-19
Theodore Roosevelt does not think of Fraser Metzger as a German American any more than he thinks of himself as a Dutch American. He believes that, as a whole, German immigrants were better but compares Germany under Prussian militarism to the Southern slave-holding regime before the Civil War. Roosevelt enjoyed Agnes Repplier’s article and plans to send Metzger’s letter to her.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-01-09
Theodore Roosevelt wishes Harry S. Armstrong good luck with his efforts to bring American and immigrant settlers into southwestern Louisiana to take up farming. Roosevelt notes that he has traveled to the region and was impressed with the rich soil, good climate, and friendly people. He believes that this area of the south provides a good example of freedom of political belief. In his discussion he mentions “Free Traders” and “Protectionists.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1914-12-22
Theodore Roosevelt informs Israel Zangwill that his play, The Melting Pot, greatly influences him. Roosevelt is also happy with the role of women in the work of the Progressive Party and social work.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-11-27
President Roosevelt looks forward to seeing President-elect Taft on February 24, and will give any advice or counsel that he can. He discusses the work of the Isthmian Canal Commission, and admires Taft’s letter to President Jose Domingo de Obaldia of Panama. Roosevelt has been having a difficult time with the California Legislature over the “Japanese business,” and has sent a letter to future Secretary of State Philander C. Knox about it.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1909-02-13
President Roosevelt agrees with William Kent, and outlines the foreign policy stance he believes the United States should follow in its relationship with Japan. Roosevelt has come to see the matter of Japanese workers immigrating to the United States as “a race question.” He believes that Japanese citizens should not be permitted to settle permanently in America. However, Roosevelt does not want to provoke a war by offending the “sensitive” Japanese government and population. Current legislation in California and Nevada banning Japanese children from public schools frustrates him, because it is offensive to Japan and does not prevent immigration. Roosevelt wants to forbid Japanese immigration while treating the Japanese government politely and continuing to build up the American navy. He seconds Kent’s view that Japanese laborers should not work on Hawaiian sugar plantations. Roosevelt would prefer to send laborers from Spain, Portugal, or Italy, who could become naturalized United States citizens.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1909-02-04
President Roosevelt is glad that Viscount Lee liked his comments about India. He felt the timing was right given that agitators like James Keir Hardie and William Jennings Bryan are feeding existing discontent in India, Great Britain, and America about the establishment of an Indian republic. Roosevelt agrees with Lee’s argument about the “two-power navy policy,” and does not believe Americans will take offense if Lee frames his reasoning thus. It would be a bad diplomatic decision to make a special exception for America, or any country, because this would give offense to other allies. Roosevelt is worried about the current conflict over Japanese immigration to the United States. He wants to follow a policy that prevents Japanese immigration “with the minimum of friction and the maximum of courtesy,” while also building up the navy.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1909-02-07
President Roosevelt agrees with Frederic Remington that Japanese immigration to America should be prevented. However, he is frustrated by certain politicians like California’s Senator George C. Perkins who are trying to implement policies that insult the Japanese government and do nothing to prevent immigration. Roosevelt is working towards a solution that will preserve peaceful relations with Japan.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1909-02-07
President Roosevelt says that a letter from Egbert J. DeBell is essentially a piece of blackmail, and he has forwarded it to Commissioner of Indian Affairs Francis E. Leupp. Roosevelt has spoken with Elihu Root, who thinks that no campaign letter from Roosevelt should be published until after William H. Taft gives his speech of acceptance and publishes his letter of acceptance. That should still give plenty of time for Roosevelt to do something, but the final say belongs to Taft, as to what he would like Roosevelt to do and when. Roosevelt responds to several points Taft raised about the Democratic Party platform.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-07-13
President Roosevelt asks Acting Secretary of State Bacon to refer to an enclosure, and says that he is of the opinion that Frank P. Sargent, Commissioner of Immigration, should be sent to Japan. There are still many Japanese laborers arriving in the United States who should not be. Roosevelt says that there seems to have been some difficulty with the Department of Commerce and Labor, and asks to know what the difficulty is so that he can fix it.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-07-06
President Roosevelt thanks Baron Kogoro Takahira for the memorandum that he enclosed in his previous letter. There is still some discrepancy in immigration figures, which Roosevelt hopes can be resolved in discussions between the two governments. Roosevelt notes a new figure, however, which shows that the number of Japanese leaving the United States exceeds the number remaining. Roosevelt thanks Takahira for his efforts.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-07-08
President Roosevelt draws Secretary of State Root’s attention to a statement recording the number of Japanese immigrants. While there are fewer Japanese immigrants in 1908 than in 1907, the fall-off has not been as sharp as it has been from other countries, and Roosevelt thinks that the results are not yet satisfactory. He asks Root to notify the Japanese government that immigration must be reduced further if they want to avoid an outright exclusion law.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-06-18
President Roosevelt asks if Prescott F. Hall would object to Roosevelt showing the letter from Hall to Senator Henry Cabot Lodge. Roosevelt has a high regard for Secretary of Commerce and Labor Oscar S. Straus, and finds it difficult to believe that Straus would consciously fail to enforce the immigration law. If Lodge, as head of the Immigration Commission, cannot make the investigation that Hall has requested, then Roosevelt will have to consider how it can be done.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-06-24
President Roosevelt believes that the enclosures from German ambassador Hermann Speck von Sternburg prove that the United States would be unwise to not to make preparations for a potential war in the Pacific with Japan. The documents, which he is sending to Secretary of State Root, show that Japan believes it could gain naval supremacy in the event of war.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-04-17