England

Newspaper article on international relations

British King Edward VII has recently been traveling in Germany and visiting with German Emperor William II, and seems to consider his visit a success. The visit is not likely to cause radical shifts in policy in either nation, but “any mitigation of frigidity or acerbity int he official relations of two great countries is to be welcomed most heartily in the interests both of tranquility and of business.” Emphasizing this point, the article mentions several recent events that showcase a need for a good working relationship between Great Britain and Germany, including relations with Turkey. Discussions between the two monarchs may have also turned to Russia, where Russian Emperor Nicholas II’s ministers have resolved to provide some measure of land reform to the peasants.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-08-17

The secret language of masons and tinkers

Drawing upon papers by Professor Kuno Meyer and John Sampson, Albert T. Sinclair asserts that the secret language of Irish stonemasons, the “bearla lagair,” and the Shelta language spoken by Irish tinkers, share a common root in Old Irish.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-02-11

Memorandum from William Woodville Rockhill

Ambassador Rockhill provides additional information pertinent to efforts to localize the war in the Far East, which would require neutralization of territories that does not seem possible. A statement shared between China and Japan affirms China’s desire to remain neutral, although Rockhill notes that the arrival of neutral forces would disturb the people of China as well as the Imperial Court. The British and German governments do not agree with an interpretation of the 1900 Anglo-German treaty that would allow for the neutralization plan.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-02-06

We want no infant terrible

President Roosevelt rides a hobbyhorse as he has his sword through the “Constitution” and uses “the big stick” to hit “South American republics.” A “conquest and expansion” bird says, “I’m the bird of freedom now.” Several countries, including “England,” “Spain,” “Italy,” “Russia,” and “Germany” watch behind a park bench in “International Park—Keep off the grass.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-08

“Peace on Earth and goodwill to men”

Uncle Sam holds a revolver in one hand and points to a sign that reads “Peace on Earth and goodwill to men” with his other hand. “France,” “England,” “Germany,” “Austria,” “Russia,” “Italy,” and “Japan” all look at the sign.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-12-25

Be careful, boys!

President Roosevelt and Secretary of State John Hay hold a “diplomacy” paper and run toward a “Chinese goods contents unknown” barrel, but they are stopped by Uncle Sam’s cane. All of the other barrels are “gun powder” barrels from different countries: “English,” “French,” “German,” “Russia,” among others.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-02-14

Panama hesitations illustrated

In the cartoon on the left, Uncle Sam holds “Panama” in his hands and walks into a room where “England,” “Germany,” “Russia,” and “France” are all dressed as pirates seated around a table with a globe and are holding up their glasses to toast. Caption: Toasting the Recruit. But Uncle Sam is doubtful about the company he is getting into. —Taylor in the Denver News. In the cartoon on the right, Uncle Sam watches the “Philippines,” “Puerto Rico,” and “Hawaii” leave the “Uncle Sam Complete Outfitter” store dressed up in Stars and Stripes clothing. “Panama” is dressed in rags and looks on. Caption: A Possible Customer. Panama—”Those are mighty fine lookin’ clothes he sells.” —Satterfield in the Omaha News.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-11

[Columbia keeps President Roosevelt out of trouble]

A woman labeled “Columbia” holds President Roosevelt’s hand as he looks back at two men, “England” and “Russia.” England says, “I’ll show you!” Russia says, “No, you won’t.” Caption: Columbia—”Come right away, Teddy; you have nothing to do with that.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-11-06

Lodge pleads for navy

The article contains text from a speech in which Senator Henry Cabot Lodge of Massachusetts argues in favor of the Republicans, whose policies he says will maintain the United States Navy’s status as the second-best navy in the world.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-10-12

Letter from Joseph Hodges Choate to Theodore Roosevelt

Ambassador to England Choate submits his resignation to President Roosevelt effective March 4, 1905.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-12-12

From our own correspondent: Brussels & Paris

Daily Telegraph reporters comment on opinions from Brussels, Belgium, and Paris, France, regarding the recent exchange of letters between Baron Tweedmouth, Edward Marjoribanks, and German Emperor William II. Opinions from both countries seem to think that the fervor over the incident was blown out of proportion, and that tensions between England and Germany regarding the English Navy are high.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-03-10

Thackeray in America

Ambassador Reid delivers a speech on William Makepeace Thackeray and his special place of respect among the American people at the Titmarsh Club Dinner in London, recounting the kind recollections of men who knew Thackeray while he visited the United States. Reid acknowledges that Charles Dickens’s less flattering depictions of Americans in his own works have their merit, but restates that Thackeray’s writings on his time in America and his skill as a writer have left him as well loved by Americans as the English.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-12

Memorandum concerning the Brazilian dreadnoughts now building in England

A memorandum containing summary of Commander Simon P. Fullinwider’s letter from December 6, 1907, which criticizes Brazil’s construction of large and expensive dreadnoughts and says they may be Japan’s project. He recommends the United States ready their fleet accordingly and dismiss Japanese men aboard the ships, who he thinks could be spies. Commander Sims writes that the officers will learn more while in Rio, and he shares Fullinwider’s concerns about “foreign servants” and enlisted men sharing confidential information.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-12-19

Mr. Roosevelt’s presidency

In an article, A. Maurice Low reflects on Theodore Roosevelt’s presidency.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-12-21

Memorandum from Alvey A. Adee to Elihu Root

Second Assistant Secretary of State Adee suggests that Haydn’s Dictionary of Dates is an accurate source, and that he has already reported on the “royal pretender” Stepan Dusanovicz. Adee outlines a history of the rulers of Serbia to counteract the claims made by Dusanovicz regarding his right to the throne.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-09-23

The California Weekly

Two articles from The California Weekly. “Terms of Friendship” declares that while there should be friendship and commerce between the United States and Japan, there must be separation of the two populations. It asserts that “the two races simply cannot dwell together” and cordial relationships between the two races are best left to politicians. “Victory in Defeat” proclaims that even though the Lincoln-Roosevelt League did not achieve their election goals to elect “a free, honest and capable” legislature in California, they still were victorious in inspiring Californians to demand their legislature “be good” and to fight against the machine.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1909-01-29

German East Africa Line

This handbill for the German East Africa Line describes departure and arrival locations for the steamship enterprise, as well as ticket rates.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Henry Cabot Lodge

President Roosevelt wishes Senator Lodge luck with his trip and hopes he will be successful with his mission. Roosevelt impresses upon Lodge the necessity of success in coming to an agreement with England, as this is the last chance to do so by the “free act” of both parties.

Collection

Massachusetts Historical Society

Creation Date

1903-07-16

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Whitelaw Reid

President Roosevelt writes to Ambassador Reid about ongoing negotiations between France and Germany about Morocco. Beginning with background information about the situation, with Germany wishing to call a conference to reform the government of Morocco—in opposition to France—Roosevelt then includes the text of numerous letters and telegrams in English and French from various parties related to this issue. Roosevelt says he will send copies of this letter to Henry White and George von Lengerke Meyer, and will show it to Secretary of State Elihu Root, as well, but no one else, as it is to be strictly confidential. He closes with some personal remarks to Reid, responding to a previous letter from him, and thanking him for presenting Milla Shonts and her daughters. The envelope appended at the end suggests that this is the copy of the letter which was sent to Meyer.

Collection

Massachusetts Historical Society

Creation Date

1906-04-28

Letter from Henry White to John Hay

Acting charge d’affaires to Great Britain Henry White writes to Secretary of State Hay about British political issues, Parliamentary legislation, and Anglo-American concerns which the legation is handling. The Entente Cordiale was signed by France and England to the relief of both countries because neither wanted to be dragged into the Russo-Japanese War on the sides of their respective allies. White describes the financial legislation that is being considered. He then characterizes the negotiation process about the Samoan claim, the Nicaraguan incident, and the Ladd extradition case.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-04-22