Imperialism--Government policy

George von Lengerke Meyer writes to Secretary of State Hay about a letter Meyer received from Russian Foreign Minister V. N. Lamzdorf. In the letter, Lamzdorf points out that the Imperial Government would like President Roosevelt to find out Japan’s viewpoint on an armistice and Japan’s plans for appointing plenipotentiaries. Meyer goes on to express his idea that both Japan and Russia should give their plenipotentiary nominations to Roosevelt, who will then share the nominations with each country’s ambassadors.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-06-23

Creator(s)

Meyer, George von Lengerke, 1858-1918

President-elect Taft was sorry to hear about Harry Johnston’s unpleasant stay in Colón, and he addresses Johnston’s grievances in detail. The natural geography of the Colón harbor would make the kind of breakwater Johnston suggests both difficult and expensive to construct, but the board of engineers does plan to address the matter. The weather conditions that stranded Johnston in Colón were unusual, so travelers rarely have to stay at the Hotel Imperial. Although Taft agrees that the hotel is “dreadful,” it will probably be impossible to open the government’s hotels in Colón to ordinary travelers. These government hotels anger local hotel owners who must compete with them for customers. The Hotel Tivoli in Panama City is an exceptional case. Colón’s water supply has already improved greatly, but a filtration system is currently being added. 

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1909-02-06

Creator(s)

Taft, William H. (William Howard), 1857-1930

President Roosevelt encloses Senator George Frisbie Hoar’s letter. Roosevelt has asked Hoar to let him know if there is anything against Oliver Wendell Holmes or any reason why anyone else should be named to the United States Supreme Court. Roosevelt is choosing to ignore the “foolish letter” of Carl Schurz, Charles Francis Adams, and Herbert Welsh, but would like to make anti-imperialism a major issue in the congressional campaigns, because it gives the Republicans an advantage over the Democrats. In a handwritten postscript, Roosevelt notes that there has been a “ferocious Catholic” outbreak against William H. Taft, Governor-General of the Philippines, on behalf of the friars.

Collection

Massachusetts Historical Society

Creation Date

1902-07-30

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Ernest Howard Crosby does not believe the “economic game” is fairly played and must protest about the labor question to keep his convictions. Crosby is also distressed at American imperialism as the United States had an opportunity to set an example for the world but instead followed the methods of the British Empire.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1901-09-29

Creator(s)

Crosby, Ernest Howard, 1856-1907