International relations--Press coverage

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Elihu Root

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

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Melville Elijah Stone

President Roosevelt is glad Melville Elijah Stone of the Associated Press is sending a man to Tokyo to gain information on the “real design” of Japanese statesmen and to prevent aggravation of existing tensions between the two countries. While the crimes against Japanese immigrants in San Francisco and sensationalist press coverage of these crimes are “outrageous,” Roosevelt says they do not give Japan the justification for hostile actions against the United States. Roosevelt asks if Stone is a friend of Senator Eugene Hale, and if so, requests that Stone explain to Hale that his actions to thwart funding for the Navy do not keep the peace, but threaten it.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-07-26

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Elihu Root

President Roosevelt praises Secretary of State Root’s recent lectures at Yale University, calling them “lofty essays.” In an extended postscript, Roosevelt says he is enclosing a letter from Japanese Ambassador Kentarō Kaneko, saying he likes Kaneko, but also calls him a “fox.” Roosevelt says the Japanese have reason to be offended over the treatment of Japanese immigrants in San Francisco, and asks what other legal measures can be taken to protect them. On the other hand, Roosevelt says that these problems do not give Japan the excuse to be thinking of war with the United States. Roosevelt does not believe the Japanese will attack American positions in the Pacific or Alaska, but “there is enough uncertainty” for the United States to be on its guard for war.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-07-26

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Oscar S. Straus

President Roosevelt authorizes Secretary of Commerce and Labor Straus to do anything necessary to ensure that such breeches as the report by Special Agent Crist that insults England, or the leaked report by Consul General Skinner, never happen again.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-01-11

Letter from Secretary of Theodore Roosevelt to J. Herbert Cranston

Theodore Roosevelt regrets that he is unable to write anything further regarding his attitude towards Canada. Roosevelt considers himself a friend of Canada and believes he has proven it through his actions and words.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-05-27

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to William Morton Fullerton

President Roosevelt hopes that William Morton Fullerton will enjoy his time abroad and that he will find the material he needs for his book. Roosevelt believes that Fullerton’s work is exactly what the country needs and wishes more people would take an international outlook.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-03-15

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Theodore Roosevelt

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

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Arthur Hamilton Lee

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

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Hermann Speck von Sternburg

President Roosevelt discusses his thoughts regarding tensions with Japan with German Ambassador Sternburg, and supposes that racial differences between Europeans and Japanese makes understanding between the two races difficult. In response to a report from Sternburg that Japanese immigrants in Mexico could attack the United States from there should conflict arise, Roosevelt says this action would do nothing but anger the United States. Roosevelt does not understand why Japanese immigrants want to come to America and become naturalized citizens, yet retain their Japanese identity. Roosevelt pledges to treat the immigrants with justice and to protect them if need be, while at the same time keeping the American fleet ready to sail at a moment’s notice. He does not believe there will be war, but will try to “prevent it from being disastrous” if it does. Roosevelt worries because the Japanese have formidable military power, and Americans suffer from a luxurious, modern life that makes them frivolous. Roosevelt is troubled by men who talk about peace but are really cowards. Roosevelt says his foreign policy is simple: to show other nations justice, courtesy, and considerations, and to receive the same in return.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-07-16

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to John A. T. Hull

President Roosevelt is concerned about an alleged interview given by Representative Hull about Japan and the Philippines, and asks him to retract it publicly. Roosevelt notes that as Chairman of the House Committee on Military Affairs, “outsiders” might ascribe more official importance to the interview than it merits. Roosevelt reminds Hull that similar language by Japanese officials has led to “suspicion” on the part of the United States. In a lengthy handwritten postscript, Roosevelt says he hopes the Japanese do not have any designs of the Philippines, but even if they do, the best defense is to prepare the military and navy to be able to meet “any foe.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-03-16

Letter from Whitelaw Reed to Theodore Roosevelt

Ambassador Reid encloses some news clippings he thought might be of interest to President Roosevelt. Reid is happy to have avoided the recent International Peace Conference at the Hague, which he sees as largely ineffectual for the United States, but perhaps less so for England or Germany.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-10-21

Letter from Whitelaw Reid to Theodore Roosevelt

Ambassador Reid seeks Theodore Roosevelt’s direction as to whether William H. Taft will stop by London on his way back from the Philippines, seeing as he will already be stopping at St. Petersburg and Berlin. If so, Reid will arrange some visits for Taft with British dignitaries. Reid also encloses some news clippings from British publications discussing American political affairs.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-10-10

Letter from Andrew Carnegie to Theodore Roosevelt

Andrew Carnegie updates President Roosevelt on matters in Great Britain. Carnegie says Roosevelt’s handling of the “Japanese flurry” was masterful, and says Japan will not make any more trouble due to her financial status. Carnegie notes that many countries are restricting entry to Japanese citizens, and that Roosevelt has solved the problem. Carnegie comments on the stances of Great Britain and Germany at the International Peace Conference at The Hague.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-07-31

Letter from Hermann Speck von Sternburg to Theodore Roosevelt

German Ambassador Sternburg shares information gathered by a German military attaché in Japan with President Roosevelt. Japan has been improving her army and navy in order to defend recent gains in war against Russia and maintain her possessions on the mainland, rather than in preparation for renewed aggression in the short term. The attaché suggests, however, that Japan expects another war with Russia in the next five to ten years. This informant maintains that Japan could not conduct aggressive actions in the near future without substantial “sacrifice of blood and money.” A war with the United States would mean the loss of important trade. If Japan had wanted to go to war over the treatment of Japanese immigrants in the United States, she would have aroused public sentiment to that end in the press, but has not done so. That said, it would be a mistake to believe the Japanese have not been deeply offended by events in California, and could turn public opinion to war in the coming years. The informant concludes that while Japan is not on an immediate footing for war with the United States, it is a concern for the future.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-07-29

Letter from Henry White to Theodore Roosevelt

Ambassador White updates President Roosevelt on his recent activities. White was supposed to have gone on a trip with French President Armand Fallières and Admiral Charles H. Stockton to review the United States naval squadron in Bordeaux, but due to potential protests in southern France, the trip was cancelled and Stockton and his officers were hosted at the President’s Palace and Ministry of the Navy instead. The Japanese Navy will meet the American squadron at Cherbourg, and Stockton will entertain the Japanese admiral and officers there. The French press has been trying to push the idea of war between the United States and Japan. J. J. Jusserand, French Ambassador to the United States, is visiting and is very eager about the new French embassy in the United States, a “sore subject” for White, as he has had trouble finding a suitable house in Paris. White says he will write a separate letter concerning American embassy buildings in the “leading capitals.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-07-19

Letter from Whitelaw Reid to Theodore Roosevelt

Ambassador Reid updates President Roosevelt on the activities of the American Embassy in London. Reid has attended and given some short speeches at the dedication of memorials related to Harvard or Yale alumni, noting that relationships forged though the universities strengthens ties between Great Britain and the United States. Reid has made a proposal for the arbitration between the United States and Great Britain regarding fisheries off of Newfoundland. Arthur F. Winnington Ingram, the Bishop of London, is looking forward to visiting the United States and will be present when Roosevelt dedicates a lecturn to Bruton Parish Church. King Edward VII and Parliament are still at work until August, but the current Parliament has not yet achieved much in the way of legislation. Reid describes the King and British people’s reactions to the International Peace Conference at The Hague, and the prevailing attitude about the immunity of private property at sea. Finally, Reid describes some press coverage at the recent 4th of July events at the Embassy.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-07-19

Letter from Hermann Speck von Sternburg to Theodore Roosevelt

German Ambassador Sternburg tells President Roosevelt that if his own representatives in Mexico had not told him of a recent wave of Japanese immigrants there, he would not have given the matter any attention, calling the idea of a Japanese reserve of men stationed to attack the United States “quixotic.” A German naval attaché in Tokyo says Japan is not considering another war in the near future. Sternburg includes a lengthy excerpt from a letter from German diplomat Friedrich von Holstein, who says that British diplomacy, led by King Edward VII, is geared toward using Japan as a “bogey,” stoking anxiety in Russia and the United States about the possibility of Japan initiating hostilities. Sternburg mentions a recent newspaper article that says Germany is actually spreading anti-Japanese feeling, which he finds amusing. Sternburg praises the Great White Fleet’s trip to the Pacific, and notes that many former soldiers emigrate from their home countries, “war seems to create a restless spirit among the fighters.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-07-19

Letter from James Roosevelt Roosevelt to Theodore Roosevelt

James Roosevelt Roosevelt sends President Roosevelt an article from the London Times about American relations with Venezuela, which he finds interesting because it is slightly sarcastic towards the United States. James hopes the Korean Mission to the peace conference at The Hague will not go to the United States, as newspaper coverage of such a visit would antagonize Japan.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-07-18

Letter from Elihu Root to Theodore Roosevelt

Secretary of State Root understands President Roosevelt’s selection of James Buchanan Aleshire for appointment as Quartermaster General. Root has returned Henry Cabot Lodge’s letter about Harvard’s commencement. Regarding the work of the Hague, Root reports that the armament question will be shelved. The United States delegates to the Hague have asked for instruction on two matters: the form of the contract debt provisions and voting on a declaration of war.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-07-08

Letter from Whitelaw Reid to Theodore Roosevelt

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.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-10-08