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Theodore Roosevelt comments on his wish to return to Africa but is unable to due to the work that needs to be done in America. Roosevelt also comments on the Balkans War and wishes for peace in Europe (as well as for the Turks to be driven “to the other side of the Bosphorus”). Finally, Roosevelt sends his family’s regards to Rudolf Carl von Slatin.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-12-17
President Roosevelt shares his thoughts on various topics with Cecil Spring Rice. Roosevelt is planning to swap foreign assignments between John B. Jackson and Richmond Pearson, mentioning that Pearson had trouble with missionaries in Persia. While Jackson has done well as Minister to Greece, Roosevelt does not approve of his strong pro-Russia feelings. Roosevelt thinks the Russian people are good, and feels badly that they oscillate between despotism and anarchy. Roosevelt is interested in what Spring Rice says about the movement of Islam in Persia toward more tolerance, and gives his opinion about progress in Islamic countries in relation to Buddhism and Shinto. The violent incidents in San Francisco towards Japanese immigrants concerns Roosevelt. Roosevelt thinks everyone should be in favor of peace and temperance, but he feels professional advocates of both talk a lot without ever getting anything done. At home, Roosevelt is trying to keep a balance between plutocrats and labor unions. Roosevelt hopes to see Spring Rice and his wife soon.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-07-01
President Roosevelt thinks that Ambassador Sternburg’s statement is interesting, and agrees that the movement Sternburg references is more likely to have started in India than in Japan. He does not believe that the Japanese will be converted to Islam, but the movement is still significant because it shows the solidarity of Asian peoples, and the leadership position that Japan has won in region.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-04-19
President Roosevelt will not promise Josephine Shaw Lowell more than he already has and believes the Democrats are “utterly insincere” in promising independence to the Filipinos. Roosevelt compares the Christian Filipinos to the Islamic Moros and worries that freedom for one group would disrupt peace. Roosevelt also discusses the absurdity of the Democrats calling themselves a reform party under Thomas Taggart, Chairman of the Democratic National Committee. He is also upset about Carl Schurz’s support of Alton B. Parker in the election because it is the party of John Sharp Williams, Minority Leader of the United States House of Representatives, who presides over a district whose majority is comprised of people of color but which is governed by white men.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-08-01
Lieutenant Johnston provides a first-hand account of Datto Ali’s fall to President Roosevelt. Ali ruled with an iron fist and was Roosevelt’s sharpest enemy for the past two years. Captain McCoy worked out the scheme to strike from the East through the mountains. The troops climbed at alarming angles and along the magnificent Davao River trail to surprise Ali.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-12-04
D. G. Lyon reports to the committee appointed by the Harvard Board of Overseers on the happenings of the Semitic Museum and Division of Semitic Languages and History covering the years 1905 to 1910. He includes updates on professor transfers, available courses, new museum collections, and archaeological digs. Jacob H. Schiff provides a preface to the report.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-02-21
President Roosevelt praises former President William McKinley for leading the nation through several crises with virtue. Roosevelt compares McKinley to Presidents Washington, Lincoln, Grant, Jefferson, and Jackson, all of whom Roosevelt notes have left long-standing legacies in the American memory. Roosevelt traces McKinley’s service to the United States from his commission in the Union Army during the Civil War, through his time in Congress and governorship of Ohio, before becoming President of the United States. McKinley helped the country move through a period of financial depression, as well as the Spanish-American War and the subsequent issues arising from having claimed new island territories. Roosevelt closes by noting that McKinley’s assassination shocked the nation, but that he died “in the golden fullness of his triumph,” and that his example lives on for the nation. This is a press copy of the speech.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-01-27
President Roosevelt praises former President William McKinley for leading the nation through several crises with virtue. Roosevelt compares McKinley to Presidents Washington, Lincoln, Grant, Jefferson, and Jackson, all of whom Roosevelt notes have left long-standing legacies in the American memory. Roosevelt traces McKinley’s service to the United States from his commission in the Union Army during the Civil War, through his time in Congress and governorship of Ohio, before becoming President of the United States. McKinley helped the country move through a period of financial depression, as well as the Spanish-American War and the subsequent issues arising from having claimed new island territories. Roosevelt closes by noting that McKinley’s assassination shocked the nation, but that he died “in the golden fullness of his triumph,” and that his example lives on.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-01-27
Oscar S. Straus, who has experience as a United States diplomat to Muslims in Turkey, cautions against an upcoming American military expedition against the Moros, Filipino Muslims, of the southern Philippines. He argues that diplomacy would be a much better option and would cost much less in terms of life. Straus will be in Washington from April 21 to 25 for a meeting of the American Social Science Association and hopes to call on President Roosevelt at the White House.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-04-17
With hostilities on the horizon between the United States and the Moros of the southern Philippines, General McMahon suggests that President Roosevelt send for McMahon’s nephew, Captain John E McMahon, for information on the Moros. Captain McMahon served on the island of Mindanao, the island home of the majority of the Moros. McMahon believes a war with the Muslims would not be a good situation. General McMahon says that Roosevelt should order his nephew to General Randolph for a few days. He also points out that he saw Roosevelt at Columbia.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-04-19