Hale, William Bayard, 1869-1924

President Roosevelt summarizes two letters he has received from Oscar K. Davis for Elihu Root. The letters, from Times reporter William Bayard Hale, describe an interview Hale had with German Emperor William II. In the first letter, Hale describes the two-hour interview itself, in which William makes several incendiary statements regarding England, Russia, China, Japan, the United States, and the Catholic Church. In the second letter, Hale reports that after showing the interview to the German Foreign Office and American Ambassador David Jayne Hill, both decided it would be unwise and improper to quote the emperor. Roosevelt told Davis that he strongly discouraged making the interview public. In domestic news, Roosevelt is making a “quiet canvass” of feeling regarding the re-nomination of Charles Evans Hughes for governor of New York.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-08-08

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Theodore Roosevelt thanks B. S. Orcutt for his letter. He is glad that Orcutt liked what he wrote about Mexico, and he was amused by what Orcutt said about journalist William Bayard Hale. Roosevelt is returning the enclosure, which he found very interesting.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1914-12-12

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

President Roosevelt is glad the furor over the results of some of the Olympic games is dying down, and specifically remarks on the results of the marathon. Additionally, Roosevelt explains to Ambassador Reid the situation surrounding a newspaper interview with German Emperor William II. William Bayard Hale petitioned the White House to help with gaining admission to the Kaiser, which was refused, but persisted in getting access. The resulting interview spoke on a number of sensitive matters and “lookt like a pipe dream,” and while Roosevelt believed it was accurate, advised the New York Times not to publish it.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1909-01-06

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

President Roosevelt writes his son, Ted, about a variety of matters. He discusses the trouble that Emperor William II of Germany is in with both conservatives and socialists. Last year, he gave a damaging interview to American journalist William Bayard Hale, which Roosevelt intervened to prevent the New York Times from publishing. A portion was published in Century and suppressed by the Germans. Roosevelt reflects on the current state of the liberal and democratic movement, and believes that the situation is not as dire as in the French Revolution, or in 1840s America. He also explains his lukewarm support of women’s suffrage. Finally, Roosevelt offers his son advice on working with the people around him when it is natural, but not pursuing relationships that are merely social in nature.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-11-20

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

President Roosevelt tells Arthur Hamilton Lee about an interview between German Emperor William II and the American journalist William Bayard Hale, which has been suppressed. In the interview, the Emperor expressed bitterness toward England and said he believed that Japan was preparing for war on the United States. He also stated that war between Germany and England was inevitable. To avoid any bitterness between Germany and the United States, Roosevelt called The New York Times and asked that the interview not be printed. Lee should destroy the letter when he is finished with it.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-10-17

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

President Roosevelt is glad that Richard Watson Gilder liked William Bayard Hale’s article, but clarifies that he is not responsible for Hale’s words and phrasing. He asks what Gilder suggests he do regarding a memorial for Abraham Lincoln.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-04-30

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

President Roosevelt agrees to the publication of the monograph, so long as William Bayard Hale makes it clear that he is not quoted directly and all the wording comes from Hale, not him. He does not want to be held responsible for its contents.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-04-27

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Adolph Geismar commends Theodore Roosevelt’s pamphlet “American Problems.” He comments on the many good men and women of the world he has shared friendships with. He assures Roosevelt of his admiration and hopes he will visit St. Johnland Home in Kings Park, Long Island.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-01-21

Creator(s)

Geismar, Adolph, 1844-1918

Whitelaw Reid encloses a copy of the letter he wrote to President-elect William H. Taft in which he explains why he believes he should maintain his post longer than currently planned. The King of England appreciated President Roosevelt’s speech on British rule in India and mentioned as well that he hoped Reid would remain Ambassador. Reid updates Roosevelt on diplomatic work he has been doing concerning the Panama Canal and Newfoundland.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1909-01-22

Creator(s)

Reid, Whitelaw, 1837-1912

Ambassador Reid writes to President Roosevelt on a number of topics, including the present situation in India, the aftermath of a controversy in the 1908 Olympics, the health of German Emperor William II and British King Edward VII, and Roosevelt’s upcoming safari. Reid encourages Roosevelt to reconsider bringing a ceremonial outfit along with him for the period following his safari. Edward North Buxton has asked if Reid can send Roosevelt a rifle to test, and Reid is investigating whether such a thing can be done via diplomatic pouch.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-12-21

Creator(s)

Reid, Whitelaw, 1837-1912

Robert Underwood Johnson thanks President Roosevelt for his harsh words regarding Joseph Pulitzer, and expresses disbelief that Columbia College would accept the promise of money to fund a school of journalism “from such a knave.” Johnson and his wife look forward to meeting Roosevelt and his wife at Vice President Charles Fairbank’s house soon. Johnson’s differing opinion regarding Hetch Hetchy has been communicated to Roosevelt, Chief Forester Gifford Pinchot, and Secretary of the Interior James Rudolph Garfield previously, and he warns that the matter will not end soon and will continue to grow.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-12-15

Creator(s)

Johnson, Robert Underwood, 1853-1937

George Haven Putnam disputes the request from the White House that the word “Office” be added to the title of William Bayard Hale’s monograph A Week in the White House with Theodore Roosevelt.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-04-30

Creator(s)

Putnam, George Haven, 1844-1930

George Haven Putnam assures President Roosevelt that William Bayard Hale’s book on his working life makes clear that the opinions expressed are his own, and not Roosevelt’s. He also asks if Roosevelt or William Loeb could look over paragraphs relating to Roosevelt’s athletic endeavors, as well as potential title suggestions.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-04-28

Creator(s)

Putnam, George Haven, 1844-1930

George Haven Putnam has arranged with William Bayard Hale to republish a series he has done in the New York Times about President Roosevelt’s work. It will be published as a book this time. Hale will make a few additions to the book, which will be submitted to Roosevelt for approval.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-04-25

Creator(s)

Putnam, George Haven, 1844-1930

John Burroughs approaches Theodore Roosevelt about letting William Bayard Hale, editor of the New York Times Saturday Review, do a “character study” on Roosevelt. Burroughs notes that Hale wishes to observe Roosevelt at work rather than interview him, and posits that Roosevelt will like anything that Hale might write about him.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-03-02

Creator(s)

Burroughs, John, 1837-1921

Barbara W. Tuchman examines Theodore Roosevelt’s thoughts on, and conduct of, foreign policy during the Spanish-American War and during his presidency. She shows both the belligerent and diplomatic sides of his nature by looking at his handling of the Perdicaris-Raisuli affair in 1904 and his relationship with Kaiser Wilhelm II of Germany. Tuchman also compares Roosevelt’s views with those of the long-time president of Harvard, Charles W. Eliot.

The invitation to the symposium at Harvard featuring Tuchman is reproduced on the second page of her article.

Collection

Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal

Creation Date

1980

This note lists a number of books, letters, and topics that President Roosevelt has discussed and written about recently.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-12

Creator(s)

Unknown