Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Elihu Root
President Roosevelt sends Secretary of State Root some interesting figures relating to Japanese immigration.
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1908-03-28
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Emigration and immigration
Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Henry Cabot Lodge
President Roosevelt asks Senator Lodge to support William S. Murphy for a position on the Immigration Commission if his name is submitted by Representative William S. Bennet.
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1908-03-12
Creator(s)
Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Elihu Root
President Roosevelt calls Secretary of State Root’s attention to a report by Commissioner General of Immigration Frank P. Sargent regarding Japanese immigrants. He asks whether this is a matter that they should speak with the Japanese authorities about.
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1908-03-14
Creator(s)
Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Arthur Hamilton Lee
President Roosevelt asks Arthur Hamilton Lee to thank Arthur James Balfour for the book that he sent. Roosevelt has recently received a letter from Sir Wilfred Laurier, which he thinks expressed the attitude that Canada, Australia, and the United States should take towards Japan. Just as Japan does not wish to be inundated by English-speakers, Roosevelt believes English speaking countries are within their rights to protect themselves from an influx of immigrants from Asia.
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1908-03-07
Creator(s)
Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Charles Fleischer
President Roosevelt thanks Rabbi Charles Fleischer for the letter and copy of his speech that he sent.
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1908-02-16
Creator(s)
Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Edward VII, King of Great Britain
President Roosevelt thanks King Edward VII for sending him a book on Sèvres porcelain. Roosevelt comments on the progress of the United States Naval Fleet’s trip to the Pacific, and says that he believes that the interests of English-speaking peoples are the same in both the Atlantic and Pacific. While they should be careful to not unduly insult anyone, they should show that they are able to defend themselves. Roosevelt believes that immigration is a tricky subject, and thinks that large-scale mixing of wage workers of two races can bring about trouble. For the moment, however, Roosevelt believes that internal problems are more pressing than external, and is concerned with making wealthy people realize that they have responsibilities to society.
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1908-02-12
Creator(s)
Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Charlemagne Tower
President Roosevelt asks Ambassador Tower to thank German Emperor William II for the message. Roosevelt was already aware of the presence of Japanese in Mexico, and comments that many Japanese do not remain in Mexico, but attempt to enter the United States. Roosevelt comments about Japanese seeking to enter the United States from Canada as well, and suggests that the reason that many of these immigrants are soldiers is not due to plans by the Japanese emperor, but because they have trouble readjusting to life in Japan after having served in Manchuria. Roosevelt is pleased by William II’s approval of what he did with the fleet in the Pacific.
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1908-02-12
Creator(s)
Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Wilfred Laurier
President Roosevelt tells Sir Wilfred Laurier, Prime Minister of Canada, about some discussions that he has had with William Lyon Mackenzie King, along with Secretary of State Elihu Root, Ambassador James Bryce, and Assistant Secretary of State Robert Bacon about the situation in Canada. Roosevelt says that feelings in western Canada are similar to those in California, Oregon, and Washington, and agrees that sending King to London to speak with the government of the British Empire seems wise. Roosevelt thinks it was admirable that they have had these discussions, and says that there is a likelihood of the United States and Canada working together for their own interests, while also behaving honorably towards Japan. Roosevelt enjoyed hearing from Laurier and meeting King, and is pleased about the steps bringing Canada and the United States closer together.
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1908-02-01
Creator(s)
Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to John R. Carter
President Roosevelt tells John R. Carter that William Lyon Mackenzie King will be visiting London soon on behalf of the Canadian government to discuss Japanese immigration to the U.S. and Canada, and instructs him to show whatever official courtesies he can.
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1908-02-02
Creator(s)
Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Arthur Hamilton Lee
Responding to a letter from Arthur Hamilton Lee, President Roosevelt notes that A. Maurice Low was blacklisted from access to the White House or other governmental agencies after he printed slanderous material. Roosevelt is surprised that Fabian Ware keeps Low on the staff of London’s Morning Post. Roosevelt agrees to have Fülöp László paint his portrait. Roosevelt also informs Lee about international relations between the United States and Canada, particularly with reference to immigration from Japan. He recounts discussions he has had with William Lyon Mackenzie King on this subject, and what the position of the United States is on the matter–namely, that working class Japanese immigrants should be kept out of English-speaking countries, and that working class immigrants from English-speaking countries should be kept out of Japan.
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1908-02-02
Creator(s)
Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Elihu Root
President Roosevelt tells Secretary of State Root to have Japanese Ambassador O’Brien tell Japanese officials that complaints about Japanese immigration to Hawaii come not only to the American government, but also to the general population in the mainland.
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1907-11-27
Creator(s)
Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Elihu Root
President Roosevelt asks Secretary of State Root if it would be possible to explain to the Imperial Japanese government that the decision to enact new regulations limiting the number of passports provided for Japanese laborers is an economic one. Roosevelt cites British Columbia, New Zealand, and Australia, which are all British colonies, as having similar policies despite Japan and England’s strong relationship, and hopes that there is a way to maintain current policies without causing diplomatic friction.
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1907-11-19
Creator(s)
Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Kentarō Kaneko
President Roosevelt thanks Baron Kaneko for his concern about Archibald B. Roosevelt’s illness. He explains why the United States wishes to restrict members of the Japanese working class from migrating to the United States. Roosevelt believes that this will ease tensions between both countries. The new commission on immigration might also consider restricting immigration from Europe.
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1907-05-23
Creator(s)
Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Diplomatic and Consular Representatives of the United States Abroad
President Roosevelt introduces Duncan Clinch Heyward, former Governor of South Carolina, who will travel to Europe to commence business with the North German Lloyd Steamship Company. Heyward hopes to establish steamship services between Bremen and Charleston and other European ports in order to increase immigration to the Southern states, which Roosevelt fully supports.
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1907-03-29
Creator(s)
Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to George Robert Carter
President Roosevelt tells Hawaii Territory Governor Carter to proceed as he has been with immigration. Roosevelt says that Commissioner General of Immigration Frank P. Sargent is pleased with Carter’s work, and he does not need to change anything unless contributions were coming from corporations instead of individuals.
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1907-04-02
Creator(s)
Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to George Robert Carter
President Roosevelt has reported relevant parts of a letter by Territorial Governor of Hawaii George R. Carter to relevant persons. Carter’s letter dealt in particular with immigration and military bases. Roosevelt has instructed Secretary of War Taft to stop in Hawaii on his way to the Philippines to assess the situation with the immigration wharf and the construction of military facilities on the islands.
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1907-03-04
Creator(s)
Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to James Norris Gillett
President Roosevelt believes Governor Gillett has done all he can in the Lyle case. In a handwritten postscript, Roosevelt writes, “I think we worked out the Japanese business in good shape.”
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1907-03-04
Creator(s)
Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Elihu Root
President Roosevelt directs Secretary of State Root to meet him soon about the potential legislation in California discriminating against Japanese students. Roosevelt wants to write an open letter or telegram to the Governor of California James Norris Gillett to oppose the measure. Refusing to restrain the Japanese immigration will make the situation worse. They can speak to Californians Victor Howard Metcalf and Frank P. Flint if needed.
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1907-03-10
Creator(s)
Telegram from Theodore Roosevelt to Eugene E. Schmitz
President Roosevelt thanks San Francisco Mayor Schmitz and congratulates the people of California and the United States. Upon the Board of Education’s adoption of a resolution, he directed dismissal of the lawsuit.
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1907-03-12
Creator(s)
Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to John St. Loe Strachey
President Roosevelt was impressed with what John St. Loe Strachey had to say about Berlin and Paris and discusses his thoughts on the war scare between England and Germany two years prior. He tells Strachey that there are those who object to “keeping up the Navy” while also persuading him to come to terms with Japan, which he sees as “inviting trouble” and refusing to prepare if conflict with Japan became a reality. Roosevelt believes that the United States will have to adopt a similar policy on Japanese immigration as Australia but is confused as to why a country with a much smaller population and birth-rate adopted such a policy so soon.
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1907-02-22