Letter from Charles William Eliot to Edward Lauterbach
Charles William Eliot discusses reasons why there is no need for further restrictions on immigration.
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1911-01-10
Your TR Source
Emigration and immigration
Letter from John Callan O’Laughlin to Theodore Roosevelt
John Callan O’Laughlin informs President Roosevelt that the Japanese government has had a change of heart regarding the agreement between the United States and Japan which was proposed last fall. They would now like to enter into the agreement, which would give assurances that the Japanese would honor United States sovereignty over its Pacific possessions. Regarding a treaty that will end in 1912, O’Laughlin notes that the Japanese would like revisions regarding Japanese immigration to the United States. The Japanese are also thinking about annexing Korea.
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1908-10-11
Letter from John Callan O’Laughlin to Theodore Roosevelt
Assistant Secretary of State O’Laughlin writes to President Roosevelt with observations on the social conditions and attitudes in Honolulu. O’Laughlin discusses the effects of immigration on the Hawaiians, and shares his views on the Japanese and Chinese races, especially in regards to labor. Although there was a strong sentiment of Japanese sovereignty, O’Laughlin feels the visit of the fleet and the limiting of Japanese immigration have led to a feeling of desire for American assimilation. This would have been better taken advantage of if there was the option to achieve naturalization. American nationalism and continued peace must be enforced through the use of the Navy, and O’Laughlin agrees with Roosevelt’s actions thus far.
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1908-09-30
Telegram from Jutarō Komura to Kogoro Takahira
Japanese Minister for Foreign Affairs Jutarō Komura telegraphs Japanese Ambassador Baron Kogoro Takahira regarding the efforts of the Japanese Imperial government to restrict emigration pursuant to the Gentlemen’s Agreement with the United States government. The government is monitoring the issuing of passports much more closely, and while there is still substantial Japanese traffic between Japan and the United States, much of this is from non-laborers, women, and tourists. Additionally, many Japanese return to Japan from the United States every month as well.
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1908-06-18
Letter from Alvey A. Adee to Theodore Roosevelt
Acting Secretary of State Adee acknowledges receipt of President Roosevelt’s letter regarding Japanese immigration. Adee forwards Roosevelt a telegram from Baron Kogoro Takahira outlining the steps being taken by the Japanese Government to further control the emigration of Japanese citizens into the United States.
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1908-06-23
Letter from John R. Carter to Theodore Roosevelt
John R. Carter updates President Roosevelt on various situations in England, namely, the progress of Mackenzie King in meeting with members of the government and promoting Roosevelt’s policies in regard to Japan. He is doing well, and has met with Edward Grey and leading members of the cabinet. Grey has previously been “sanguine” about Japan, but Carter hopes that King has enlightened him about the issue of Japanese immigration. A new Prime Minister will be installed around Easter, and it will probably be H. H. Asquith.
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1908-04-03
Letter from Whitelaw Reid to Theodore Roosevelt
Ambassador Reid updates President Roosevelt on the diplomatic efforts of Canadian politician William Lyon Mackenzie King, who has been meeting with various members of the British government. King has been implying that Roosevelt is apprehensive about Japanese hostility, but Reid is denying this and says instead that Roosevelt is merely annoyed. He also updates Roosevelt on his travel plans and his hope that he will get to visit the King to convey a message from the winner of the King’s Cup.
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1908-03-20
Letter from Florence Bayard Lockwood La Farge to Theodore Roosevelt
Florence Bayard Lockwood La Farge replies to President Roosevel’s recent letter about books, and agrees with him on what he has written about Jane Addams. She believes that Addams’s arguments are not well thought out. La Farge wishes that emigration could stop for five years while the United States assimilates its citizens into a more unified whole. She recommends the book The World Machine by Carl Snyder.
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1908-02-20
Letter from Wilfred Laurier to Theodore Roosevelt
Prime Minister Laurier of Canada thanks President Roosevelt for the letter, and for the friendly sentiments therein. He agrees that there should always be friendship between the United States and Canada. Laurier also comments on the subject of immigration from Asia, and particularly about agreements that the United States and Canada have made with Japan to limit immigration
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1908-02-20
Letter from John Burroughs to Theodore Roosevelt
John Burroughs appreciates Theodore Roosevelt’s recent message to Congress. Ever since Burroughs read Lloyd’s “Health Against Commonwealth,” the Standard Oil Company has been a special hatred of his. Burroughs wishes that “big scoundrels” would be punished adequately and bemoans the fact that Roosevelt will not take a third term, as this would make their lives “so miserable.” Burroughs further discusses immigration and tariffs, as well as his recommendations for the Republican Party.
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1908-02-08
Letter from Charlemagne Tower to Theodore Roosevelt
Ambassador Tower has spoken with Chancellor Bülow of Germany about the Japanese situation. Bülow has spoken with Ambassador Alfons Mumm, who does not believe that Japan intends to attack the United States, even though they do harbor hostility toward the country. Tower expresses concern that Japan might want to invade the West Coast to gain territory. Tower has also spoken with Minister Wilhelm Eduard von Schoen about relations with Germany and China. Tower assured Schoen that President Roosevelt agrees with Bülow on the issues regarding China and the open door policy.
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1908-01-08
Report from Elihu Root to American Embassy in Tokyo
Secretary of State Root describes the measures American immigration officials want the Imperial Japanese Government to undertake. Such measures would limit the immigration of Japanese and Korean laborers to the mainland United States and Hawaii with particular emphasis on stricter control over passports provided for Japanese and Korean laborers along with harsher punishments for immigrants who violate said policies. Root concludes that the Imperial Government has not been successful in curbing the number of immigrants and that this report should be sent to the Japanese Minister for Foreign Affairs Tadasu Hayashi.
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1907-11-18
Letter from Elihu Root to Theodore Roosevelt
With Canadian Member of Parliament Rodolphe Lemieux currently in Japan discussing Canadian policies on Japanese immigration to British Columbia, Secretary of State Root telegraphs the State Department’s recommendations for new regulations on immigration to Ambassador Thomas J. O’Brien rather than mailing them.
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1907-11-19
Telegram from Elihu Root
Secretary of State Root wants to impress upon the Japanese Foreign Office that the next session of Congress will likely have a strong contingent pushing for exclusion legislation barring all Japanese foreign workers from entering the country. The only way to prevent such legislation from passing is by effectively enforcing the current restrictive immigration policy, which up until now has not been done.
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1907-11-09
Letter from Jeremiah Whipple Jenks to Theodore Roosevelt
Per President Roosevelt’s suggestion, Jeremiah Whipple Jenks sends three memoranda regarding Japanese emigration companies. Although comprised primarily of informant observations, the information is unverified, but Jenks believes it should be easy to obtain more.
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1907-11-12
Letter from Elihu Root to Theodore Roosevelt
Secretary of State Root believes that the report made by Representative William S. Bennet could provide the basis on which to approach the Greek government to restrict the number of Greek foreign workers coming to the United States. Such an agreement with a European nation, according to President Roosevelt, could alleviate tensions with Japan.
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1907-10-28
Letter from Frank P. Sargent to William Loeb
Commissioner General of Immigration Sargent sends William Loeb the figures for Japanese immigration to the United States for August, 1907, as well as figures for the past two years. These statistics were requested by President Roosevelt.
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1907-10-05
Letter from William H. Taft to Theodore Roosevelt
Secretary of War Taft sends President Roosevelt a copy of his interview with Japanese Prime Minister Kinmochi Saionji. In his interviews with other Japanese government officials, Taft expressed that the disturbances in San Francisco do not reflect the attitude of the United States towards Japan. The Japanese are willing to restrict immigration, but not by treaty.
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1907-10-07
Letter from Henry Cabot Lodge to Theodore Roosevelt
Senator Lodge forwards a letter from Representative William S. Bennet to President Roosevelt in which Bennet gives suggestions for an immigration agreement with Greece.
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1907-08-06
Letter from George Kennan to William Loeb
Journalist George Kennan shares his thoughts on the “Japanese question” in San Francisco and its political implications. He feels President Roosevelt’s position on the matter is correct but is not practical. The clamor from labor unions and the “constant fanning of the fire of race antipathy” by the press have created an environment for hostility. McClure’s Magazine did not publish Kennan’s articles on the topic.
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1907-08-10