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Ambassador George von Lengerke Meyer updates President Roosevelt on the difficulties he has encountered trying to obtain Russia’s commitment to peace negotiations with Japan.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-06-18
Ambassador Reid’s acquaintance Cyril A. Ward went hunting in Africa two years ago. Reid will send President Roosevelt a copy of the book documenting the trip. Ward directs that African Game Ranger Blaney Percival is a useful contact and will give Reid a copy of his supply list. Reid discusses the controversy over King Edward VII’s recent interviews with sovereigns and prime ministers conducted without proper governmental supervision.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-08-31
Ambassador Reid informs President Roosevelt he has heard from Sirdar F. R. Wingate, who is gathering information for Roosevelt regarding his African trip. Believing it will amuse Roosevelt, Reid shares “the queer transmutations” that the third modus vivendi on the Newfoundland fisheries underwent. Roosevelt’s perplexity about journalist Edward Dicey amuses Reid, who shares the same opinion of him. Reid details the seeming ill-luck of British statesmen and their families. Ogden Mills Reid, Reid’s son, plans to return to the United States to participate in the presidential election.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-08-22
Whitelaw Reid updates President Roosevelt on the newspapers’ reaction to the measures taken in a shipping and fishing dispute in Newfoundland. Reid details his negotiations with Sir Edward Gray and Sir Charles Hardinge regarding the United States’ right to ship Newfoundland fisherman. Reid also discusses several books with Roosevelt, including one about Alexander Hamilton and a biography of Winston Churchill’s father, Randolph Churchill. Reid comments on Roosevelt’s offer to let the Cubans try self-government again, noting that it silences those who would paint Roosevelt as an imperialist. Reid does not think that the Cubans are ready for self-government, and he believes the United States should make Cuba one of its states. Reid updates Roosevelt on the political conflict between the Labor and Liberal parties in the United Kingdom. Reid notes that due to “bad blood” between the German and English press, it is difficult to trust English newspapers for accurate views of German positions. Reid also offers his opinion on domestic political issues, writing that those who vote for Hearst will be written off as from “the ignorant or dangerous classes.” Reid believes William Jennings Bryan has fallen out of favor, but he does not think they have seen the last of him. Finally, Reid has enclosed several books and clippings for Roosevelt to peruse.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-10-08
Ambassador Reid has forwarded President Roosevelt’s letter to the people of Salisbury, and he is sure it will promote kindly feeling. Reid hopes that they may be able to bring the “slow-moving” Colonial Office to an early agreement, as the only currently contentious issue between the parties is that of purse-nets. Reports of William Jennings Bryan’s speech in Madison Square Garden produced instant revulsion in Great Britain, as the public thought he “dished” himself by proposing government ownership of the railways. Reid has not yet had a chance to discuss Roosevelt’s letter to Andrew Carnegie with Sir Edward Grey, but plans to bring it up at first chance. Frederick Scott Oliver, author of the new book about Hamilton, does not seem to be a prominent literary figure among the Englishmen Reid has asked. Reid has been watching the Cuban situation with great anxiety, as he has always believed the United States made foolish decisions about Cuba at the beginning of the Spanish-American War.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-09-14
Ambassador Meyer writes to President Roosevelt, detailing a complex and sensitive situation between the French Embassy, the German Emperor, and the Moroccan Conference. Meyer also communicates the Czar Nicholas II’s condition, his high opinion of Roosevelt, and his gratitude for Roosevelt’s help in securing peace between Russia and Japan.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-01-15
Ambassador Reid writes a letter to Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt describing the social, political, and family life of the British royal family during a weekend visit to King Edward VII at Sandringham House. Reid also describes a state banquet at Windsor Castle.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-11-15
Hermann Speck von Sternburg writes to President Roosevelt discussing a meeting of Count Lamzdorf, Ambassador Wilhelm Eduard von Schoen, Ambassador Maurice Bompard, and Ambassador Charles Hardinge. Sternburg states that Russia is interested in peace but believes that since Japan started the war, she should bring forward peace offerings.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-02-24