Japan

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Arthur Hamilton Lee

President Roosevelt is glad that Viscount Lee liked his comments about India. He felt the timing was right given that agitators like James Keir Hardie and William Jennings Bryan are feeding existing discontent in India, Great Britain, and America about the establishment of an Indian republic. Roosevelt agrees with Lee’s argument about the “two-power navy policy,” and does not believe Americans will take offense if Lee frames his reasoning thus. It would be a bad diplomatic decision to make a special exception for America, or any country, because this would give offense to other allies. Roosevelt is worried about the current conflict over Japanese immigration to the United States. He wants to follow a policy that prevents Japanese immigration “with the minimum of friction and the maximum of courtesy,” while also building up the navy.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1909-02-07

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Frederic Remington

President Roosevelt agrees with Frederic Remington that Japanese immigration to America should be prevented. However, he is frustrated by certain politicians like California’s Senator George C. Perkins who are trying to implement policies that insult the Japanese government and do nothing to prevent immigration. Roosevelt is working towards a solution that will preserve peaceful relations with Japan.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1909-02-07

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Philander C. Knox

President Roosevelt advises Senator Knox, who will be president-elect William H. Taft’s secretary of state, on the importance and fragility of the relationship between the United States and Japan. Roosevelt explains why he believes that there is a real possibility that Japan will declare war on the United States, although this is by no means certain. Currently, many Americans are pursuing ineffectual and offensive strategies in an effort to prevent Japanese immigration to the United States. Roosevelt supports their goal but not their means. In Hawaii, meanwhile, Roosevelt disapproves of sugar planters encouraging large numbers of settlers from China and Japan to come work on their plantations. Roosevelt feels that the settlement of Hawaii by individuals from Southern Europe should be encouraged. His more general policy is threefold. He wants the government to prevent Japanese citizens from settling in America, while treating Japan “so courteously that she will not be offended more than necessary,” and building up the navy as a preventative measure. Although the value of this policy should be self-evident, Americans “are shortsighted and have short memories.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1909-02-08

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to William T. Hornaday

President Roosevelt approves of the speech written by William T. Hornaday, and is glad that it ties in the treaty with Japan.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1909-02-01

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to James Norris Gillett

President Roosevelt sends California Governor Gillett a copy of the memorandum by Secretary of State Elihu Root concerning alien real property legislation in California. Roosevelt notes that the United States Government has no objection to California passing laws regarding aliens’ ability to own real property as long as the laws follow Root’s suggestions. However, the federal government would object to passing the proposed school legislation and proposed legislation forcing Japanese to live in separate residential quarters.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1909-01-26

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Henry Cabot Lodge

President Roosevelt disagrees with several statements Secretary of State John Hay wrote. While Hay was one of the most “delightful characters” Roosevelt had ever met, he found Hay lacking leadership qualities as a Secretary of State. Roosevelt provides Senator Lodge with his view of the Alaska Boundary dispute in 1903. He includes copies of the letters Roosevelt wrote to Judge Oliver Wendell Holmes and Henry White to show to British Secretary of State for the Colonies James Chamberlain and Prime Minister James Arthur Balfour. Roosevelt explains why certain appointments were made following the death of President William McKinley and details for why Hay was not consulted on matters concerning the Russo-Japanese War and the acquisition of Panama.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1909-01-28

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to William Kent

President Roosevelt wishes he could get to California to stop the anti-Japanese legislation, which he is more concerned about than any other “rather stormy incidents” that happened during his presidency.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1909-01-22

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Kermit Roosevelt

President Roosevelt writes to Kermit Roosevelt about life at Harvard. Roosevelt mentions finalizing speaking assignments, upcoming safari trip, and target practice with a Winchester rifle. He discusses difficulties with Congress, mentions appealing to California to avoid trouble, and details a showdown he had with the Senate. The Judiciary Committee had Herbert Knox Smith stand before the Senate to divulge confidential information. Roosevelt had to intervene and tell Chairman Clarence D. Clark they would not be told any information unless they impeached him. 

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1909-01-23

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to James Norris Gillett

President Roosevelt expresses his concern to Governor Gillett of California over anti-Japanese legislation in the California Legislature. Roosevelt believes that the passing of this legislation is unnecessary and will injure relations with Japan, considering the Japanese government has upheld the Gentlemen’s Agreement of 1907.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1909-01-16

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Toshihiko Yamazaki

President Roosevelt thanks Toshihiko Yamazaki for his Japanese translation of Roosevelt’s volume of essays, The Strenuous Life, and expresses his deep appreciation for Yamazaki’s preface to the translation. Roosevelt is especially honored that Yamazaki carried a copy of The Strenuous Life with him during battle in Manchuria.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1909-01-12

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Arthur Hamilton Lee

President Roosevelt thanks Arthur Hamilton Lee for sending him the portraits, and returns the three as requested. He plans to give several copies out as Christmas presents, but feels like he should be sparing with the others. Roosevelt is glad to hear Lee’s news that the British people are aware of the necessities of national defense, and applauds the agreement with Japan. Roosevelt believes his strategy of friendly communication with Japan in conjunction with the demonstration of sending the fleet around the world, has produced good results for the United States. Roosevelt is looking forward to his safari, and believes that President-Elect William Howard Taft will do a good job as president.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-12-20

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Shūzō Aoki

President Roosevelt praises former Japanese Ambassador Aoki’s foresight and judgement, as the United States and Japan recently exchanged notes following the lines that Aoki proposed a year ago. Roosevelt enjoyed having Aoki’s time as ambassador in Washington, D.C., and informs him that they also enjoyed Baron Kogoro Takahira’s recent tenure as ambassador to the United States.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-12-19

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Frank Alanson Lombard

President Roosevelt thanks Frank Alanson Lombard for the letter. He was pleased by Lombard’s report that a book of Roosevelt’s is used in Japanese universities and that he is “a power in the centers of Japanese learning.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-12-04

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Charles S. Sperry

President Roosevelt has followed the Great White Fleet’s voyage with pride, and he praises Rear Admiral Sperry’s leadership. Sperry’s comments on the fleet’s progress were interesting, and Roosevelt looks forward to greeting the ships at Hampton Roads. Their voyage has more than lived up to his expectations.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-12-05

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Andrew T. Long

President Roosevelt was glad to receive Commander Long’s interesting letter, and was pleased to read about the Great White Fleet’s visits to Japan and China. Roosevelt says it “is simply extraordinary that there should not have been one instance of trouble with so many thousands of our men ashore.” He promises to bring up the subject of granting sailors leave to visit their homes soon after their return with the Navy Department.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-12-07

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Merriman C. Harris

President Roosevelt thanks Bishop Harris for the letter. He is very pleased about the agreement with Japan.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-12-02

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to John Callan O’Laughlin

President Roosevelt has sent John Callan O’Laughlin’s letters to Secretary of State Elihu Root. They are particularly valuable in what they say regarding Japan and Hawaii. He notes that it is impossible for him to get Congress to do what he wants. Roosevelt would like Congress to provide for the building of four new battleships and allow the naturalization of the Japanese.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-11-13

Telegram from Theodore Roosevelt to Charles S. Sperry

President Roosevelt is pleased and impressed with Admiral Sperry’s reception in Japan and the behavior of the men there.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-10-24

Telegram from Theodore Roosevelt to Thomas J. O’Brien

President Roosevelt asks Ambassador O’Brien to convey a message to Emperor Meiji of Japan. The message thanks the Emperor for the hospitality shown to the Atlantic Fleet during its visit to Japan.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-10-21

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Charles S. Sperry

President Roosevelt congratulates Admiral Sperry on the success of the Great White Fleet’s cruise. He is particularly proud of Sperry’s conduct.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-10-22