Japan

Translation of telegram from Jutarō Komura to Kogoro Takahira

Jutaro¯ Komura discusses the situation concerning the Russian vessel of war Askold being repaired at the port of Shanghai. When it was discovered that the repairs would restore fighting power to the vessel, the Japanese Consul General at Shanghai warned the Taotai that the repairs were in violation of neutral obligations and requested that the necessary repairs to make the vessel seaworthy be completed within two days. The Taotai replied that they had brought these demands to the Russian Consul but that the captain refused to leave the port or dismantle the vessel. However, the Chinese Government agreed to make demands upon the Russian minister and instruct the Taotai.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-08-21

Letter from Alvey A. Adee to Theodore Roosevelt

Alvey A. Adee writes President Roosevelt concerning the decision of the Russian Prize Court about the cargo of the German steamer Arabia. He encloses a dispatch from the American Ambassador in St. Petersburg and awaits a reply.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-08-23

Translation of telegram from Jutarō Komura to Kogoro Takahira

This telegram provides information on the views of the Japanese Imperial Government in regard to the disposition of the Russian vessel of war which took refuge at Shanghai. The international character of the Shanghai port is taken into consideration. Minister Komura asks Baron Takahira to notify the Taotai of the instructions and report on the results.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-08-14

Telegram from John Hay to Robert Sanderson McCormick

Secretary of State Hay discusses the Arabia decision and the rules about contraband items. He asks Ambassador McCormick to tell the Russian government that the flour carried by the Arabia was consigned in the ordinary course of commerce.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-08-11

Letter from Hosea Ballou Morse to Theodore Roosevelt

Hosea Ballou Morse believes the war has been a success for Japan and that Port Arthur will soon fall. He argues that there are three salient points to consider about Japan, including Japan’s ties to the feudal system and the nature of the Japanese people. Morse discusses “the yellow peril,” speculating about the motives of Japan and what will happen after the war.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-08-07

Letter from Herbert H. D. Peirce to William Loeb

Assistant Secretary of State Peirce will not be able to complete his report about his investigation of the consulates before the end of October. However, he does have information that Emperor Meiji wished for him to convey to President Roosevelt. He also has news from Hirobumi Ito and Jutaro Komura about the policy of Japan and the events which led to the declaration of hostilities between Japan and Russia. Peirce would like William Loeb to convey this information to President Roosevelt and ask when Peirce can visit him at Oyster Bay, New York.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-07-21

Letter from Victor Howard Metcalf to John Hay

Secretary of Commerce and Labor Metcalf has received correspondence detailing the plan of the British government to send a gunboat to patrol the waters surrounding the Commander Islands in an attempt to reduce fur seal poaching in that area. Metcalf recommends that the United States government also send a gunboat “for the purpose of seizing and arresting any American vessels that may be found sealing in such waters.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-07-16

Telegram from Francis B. Loomis to Joseph Hodges Choate

Acting Secretary of State Loomis informs Ambassador Choate that Secretary of Commerce and Labor Victor Howard Metcalf has suggested the American government provide a vessel to patrol the Commander Islands for the purpose of seizing and arresting any American vessels found poaching fur seals. Loomis requests that Choate “ascertain if this suggestion is acceptable to the British Government.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-07-18

Telegram from Francis B. Loomis to Spencer F. Eddy

Acting Secretary of State Loomis informs Chargé d’Affaires Eddy that they believe it would be best for the American Government to provide a vessel to patrol the Commander Islands for the purpose of seizing and arresting any American vessels found poaching fur seals, instead of having the British Government inform them of American poaching. Loomis requests that Eddy make an inquiry of the Russian Government to see if they are amenable to this suggestion.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-07-18

Letter from Francis B. Loomis to William Loeb

Acting Secretary of State Loomis reports that there has been correspondence from the British government concerning their plan to send a gunboat to the Commander Islands to prevent fur seal poaching by British and Japanese vessels. Secretary of Commerce and Labor Victor Howard Metcalf has suggested that the United States government should also send a gunboat to prevent poaching by American vessels. If the British and Russian governments are amenable to this plan, President Roosevelt has the option of ordering a gunboat for this purpose.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-07-18

Letter from Paul Morton to Theodore Roosevelt

Secretary of the Navy Morton will be glad to acquire and read the article on the Japanese Navy. He will be pleased to talk to President Roosevelt about Roosevelt’s sons and suggests that he should “make one of them a railroad man.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-07-18

Letter from Caspar Whitney to Theodore Roosevelt

Caspar Whitney writes to President Roosevelt about General Henry T. Allen’s desire to publish an article he wrote on the “yellow peril” and Japan’s foreign relations. Allen is concerned about the effect publishing such an article would have on his position and promotion. Whitney requests Roosevelt’s opinion on the matter.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-07-11

Letter from Cecil Spring Rice to Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt

Cecil Spring Rice writes from his diplomatic posting in St. Petersburg, Russia. Russians are not happy with the Russo-Japanese War and are wary of foreigners, especially English and Americans. He sees Russia and Germany growing closer but doubts that they will ever reach an alliance. Spring Rice reflects on Russia’s relationships with the other great powers and sees Russia’s future as in the East. He suggests that Germany will end up allying with the victor of the Russo-Japanese War.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-05-25

Letter from Richard Harding Davis to Theodore Roosevelt

Richard Harding Davis and his wife Cecil Clark Davis are settled in Tokyo like it is home. Davis’ contract with Collier’s Weekly was only for three months, but he does not want to return home without seeing the front lines of the Russo-Japanese War. Davis complains that the newspaper correspondents have been treated poorly by the Japanese authorities who have restricted their access to the front, read their private correspondence and had them spied upon. As an example of the unfair treatment they have been subjected to, Davis recounts the story of Jack London who has been arrested and tried by court martial after getting into a physical altercation with a servant who was caught stealing correspondents’ supplies. Davis knows that President Roosevelt likes to hear of United States representatives abroad, and praises the work of LLoyd Carpenter Griscom, Charles Carlton Marsh, and James Wheeler Davidson.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-05-26

Letter from William S. Cowles to Theodore Roosevelt

William S. Cowles informs President Roosevelt that the German squadron is visiting. Cowles has hosted Commodore Schröder for lunch, and his wife Anna Roosevelt Cowles liked the Commodore. Cowles comments on the war between the Japanese and the Russians. He notes that he is to go to sea again soon, and will visit the president before he leaves.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-05-29

Letter from St. George Littledale to Theodore Roosevelt

St. George Littledale appreciates President Roosevelt’s work on the elk, and the crown agent for New Zealand is aware of the debt New Zealand owes to Roosevelt. Littledale has been unable to procure any chamois and is making inquiries regarding roe deer. He comments on a story he heard about the bravery of Japanese cadets.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-05-15

Letter from John Hay to Theodore Roosevelt

Secretary of State Hay returns to President Roosevelt a letter from Nicholas Williams McIvor, noting that nothing the Roosevelt administration does may please McIvor.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-05-05

Letter from Nicholas Murray Butler to Theodore Roosevelt

Nicholas Murray Butler encloses a letter on Japanese affairs for President Roosevelt and Secretary of State John Hay to look over. The letter is from an American lawyer residing in Japan.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-05-03

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to William McKinley

Assistant Secretary of the Navy Roosevelt apprises President McKinley of what ships are available to send to Hawaii, given Japan’s dispatch of their protected cruiser, Naniwa. He discusses each ship’s strengths, weaknesses, and firepower.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1897-04-22

Memorandum from Theodore Roosevelt to Naval War College

Assistant Secretary of the Navy Roosevelt lists several confidential problems regarding foreign matters for the Naval War College. Roosevelt asks what and how interventions will be employed.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1897-05-26