Germany

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

Newspaper article on letter from William II, German Emperor to Edward Marjoribanks, Baron Tweedmouth

The Daily Telegraph feels that the sooner the recent business regarding the letter from German Emperor William II to Baron Tweedmouth is forgotten, the better. The letter has been stated to have been personal and private, and will therefore not be published, despite requests for the contrary from some parties. Nevertheless, there is a general feeling that such communication from foreign sovereigns should not be a normal occurrence, as people in positions of power are not able to separate their private lives from their political ones, much as they may wish to do so.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-03-10

In the House of Commons

Members of the British House of Commons asked H. H. Asquith, Acting Prime Minister, several questions about the letters exchanged between Edward Marjoribanks, Baron Tweedmouth, and German Emperor William II.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-03-10

The German Emperor and Lord Tweedmouth

The explanation from Edward Marjoribanks, Baron Tweedmouth, regarding the letters sent between him and German Emperor William II have not contradicted any of the statements by The Times or added to the explanation Acting Prime Minister H. H. Asquith gave to Parliament. Given the tone of the comments by several politicians, The Times comes to the conclusion that many people think that these sorts of letters should remain entirely private, and that any mention of international relations and naval policy should be done through official channels and not personal letters. While the letters have been treated as personal communication by many people, there is no doubt that William II wanted to influence thinking about British naval policy with them. The Times calls for the publication of the letters, as proof that they did not discuss policy would quiet public anxiety about the matter.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-03-10

Kaiser’s letter

Edward Marjoribanks, Baron Tweedmouth, Henry Charles Keith Petty-FitzMaurice, Marquess of Lansdowne, and Archibald Philip Primose, Earl of Rosebery recently gave speeches on the letters exchanged between Tweedmouth and German Emperor William II. Lansdowne feels that Tweedmouth has broadly handled the events well, although there are broader questions about whether these extra-official communications are proper. Rosebery worries about Great Britain becoming a laughingstock in the international community due to the handling of the subject by the press.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-03-10

Kaiser’s letter

The Daily Telegraph has received a report from “a specially well-informed correspondent” about the contents of letters that were sent between German Emperor William II and First Lord of the Admiralty Edward Marjoribanks, Baron Tweedmouth. While the exact contents of the letter are still not known, The Daily Telegraph assures its readers that William II did not attempt to influence British naval policy, as has been feared by the general public. While such a personal letter is unprecedented between two such highly-ranked heads of state, it does not appear to be sinister in any way.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-03-07

The Kaiser and our navy

The Times has published an account alleging that German Emperor William II has attempted to influence British naval policy by writing a letter to Edward Marjoribanks, Baron Tweedmouth, and strongly criticized him for this. Acting Prime Minister H. H. Asquith responded to the charge in the House of Commons acknowledging the letter, but stating that it was purely a personal and private communication, and that it did not seek to influence British naval policy. The Daily Mail provides some additional context for the letter, and how it came to be known to the public.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-03-07

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

Letter from Leonard Wood to Theodore Roosevelt

General Wood informs President Roosevelt of his plans after being relieved on February 1, 1908. He intends to take leave and travel as much as possible, attending the Manila Carnival Association in early February and military maneuvers in Europe. Wood believes the Philippines Division is the most important command in the army and is glad that General Tasker Howard Bliss plans to stay another year or two. He hopes that his wife, Louisa Adriana Wood, is able to visit him.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-12-13

American affairs

In an article for the National Review, A. Maurice Low analyzes the possibility that Germany would come to the protection of the Atlantic Coast while the Great White Fleet travels to the Pacific and highlights the recent developments in the relationship between Germany and the United States. He argues that Roosevelt should seek another term of office, and that William Jennings Bryan has nothing to offer the American people, while deriding the failure of the Democratic Party at large. Finally, quoting financial representatives from several banking houses, Low explains that the fall of securities prices is a natural course correction. As an example of the bright future of American growth, he describes the construction of Gary, Indiana, a city built for the manufacturing of steel.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-10

A delicate mission

The Montreal Gazette argues that Canadian Minister of Labour Rodolphe Lemieux is the best official to discuss Canada’s immigration policy with Japan. It is rumored that Germany is sending a powerful naval fleet to the United States to show solidarity between the two countries. It is believed that President Roosevelt wishes to show Japan that the United States is close friends with Russia and Germany.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-10

Newspaper article about warship design

The Navy Department has ordered five new destroyers whose guaranteed speed is only twenty-four knots, far less than foreign ships. President Roosevelt or Congress should consider overhauling the entire Navy Department, as inattention to speed has been a constant problem and the American people deserve better ships.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-09-26

Report on the supply system of the British, French, and German Armies, with recommendations

A report details the structures of the British, French, and German Armies. The report discusses topics such as departments, divisions, duties, promotion and retirement, recruitment, organizational structure, and more.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-09-26

The Hague peace conference

German Chancellor Fürst von Bülow has declared that Germany will not participate in the disarmament discussion at the Hague peace conference. This pleases all of the German factions, other than the Social Democrats.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-05-01

America’s trade

George Brinton McClellan Harvey, editor of the North American Review, has returned from Europe and reports on the feeling about the United States there. President Roosevelt is extremely popular because he has “dealt a staggering blow” to American business interests abroad and to financial markets, capital investments, and the railroads at home. Harvey believes it will take years for American businesses to recover.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-06-28

Europe likes Roosevelt

George Brinton McClellan Harvey, editor of Harper’s Weekly, offers a tongue-in-cheek report on the reasons for President Roosevelt’s “universal popularity” in Europe. German Emperor William II would like to see Roosevelt serve a second elected term, as it would indicate that autocracy is still popular, provided the leader is charismatic and benevolent. England and France view the “staggering blow” dealt to the American railroad industry by Roosevelt with glee. European powers are happy to take advantage of the opportunities presented by American politics.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-06-28

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

Memorandum on an arbitration agreement between Germany and the United States

This memorandum describes how the United States and Germany would approve an arbitration agreement in their respective governments. While neither country is completely comfortable with a formal treaty or alliance, the United States hopes to send notes as a sign of informal friendliness in international relations. Should this approach prove impossible on Germany’s part, the United States will regroup. Instead, provisions may be made to the arbitration agreement of 1904. Additionally, the memorandum suggests a promissory note from the Hague convention of 1907 might arbitrate all their disagreements.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908

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

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