Your TR Source
President Roosevelt praises Secretary of Commerce and Labor Metcalf for his work in California regarding the treatment of Japanese immigrants. Roosevelt advocates a solution of restricting the movement of both Japanese and American citizens between the two countries. He recounts his discussion with the Japanese ambassador regarding the immigration of Japanese workers to the United States.
1906-11-27
Ambassador Francis tells President Roosevelt he fielded a request from the Neue Freie Presse, for an interview regarding the controversy between the United States and Japan on the tensions in California. Francis encloses what he gave the reporter. He also notes that about 400 guests came to a reception at the American Embassy on Thanksgiving Day, and he sends holiday greetings to the Roosevelts.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-12-12
President Roosevelt writes to his son Kermit about a planned trip by Mother, Edith, Archie, and Quentin aborted due to the snow. Roosevelt has been negotiating with the Californians over their discriminating against Japanese children. Roosevelt laments that there are problems with everything he is trying to accomplish, then closes the letter by discussing the work of Mark Twain and Robert Browning.
1907-02-16
Theodore Roosevelt is sorry that he is unable to attend the luncheon, but he would like to meet the Baron while he is in New York.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-11-20
President Roosevelt notifies President Walsh of the San Francisco Board of Education that he is “pleased by the news,” the lawsuit will be discontinued, and the immigration order issued.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-03-13
President Roosevelt explains that potential California legislation on the exclusion of Japanese laborers would hamper his efforts to achieve Japanese exclusion on a national level through cooperation with Japan.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-03-12
President Roosevelt implores Secretary of State Root to contact Secretary of the Navy Victor Howard Metcalf about the actions of the school authorities in San Francisco enforcing segregation of students of Asian ethnicity, specifically Japanese children. Roosevelt asks Root to prepare directives for immigration agents and custom authorities in order to deter further mistreatment towards Japanese immigrants.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-02-27
Motohiko Miyasaki is a Japanese student studying at the University of Southern California College of Law, and expresses his admiration for Theodore Roosevelt. He shares a paper he wrote regarding the Japanese residents of Los Angeles, and hopes that it will help inform Roosevelt about the Japanese population there.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-03-21
Herbert B. Johnson invites Theodore Roosevelt to address the Federation of Japanese Churches in California when he stays in San Francisco, California, during his trip along the west coast. Johnson feels that by giving an address, Roosevelt will have a great impact both on Japanese people living in the United States, as well as on Japanese people still in Japan.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-03-22
Secretary of State Root gives President Roosevelt his impressions of bills in the California legislature relating to the Japanese.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1909-01-25
Secretary of State Root returns the original report made by Secretary of Commerce and Labor Victor Howard Metcalf on the exclusion of Japanese children from public schools in San Francisco.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-11-13
John Hays Hammond, a friend of Theodore Roosevelt, has been lecturing on the threat Japan poses to America’s political and commercial interests. The Pacific states and Australia fear Japanese immigration and are determined to fight it. American and England should defend their Pacific possessions from Japan. The Japanese claim to have adopted “Anglo-Saxon ideals,” but Hammond calls this into question when he quotes a high-ranking Japanese politician saying it is “Japan’s holy duty to free all Asiatics” and that they should “teach them to conquer Europeans in war, commerce, and culture.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-04-27
Motohiko Miyasaki describes the flourishing Japanese community of Los Angeles, many of whom are involved in agriculture. Their community includes many successful businesses, and most people are well educated. Overall, Miyasaki characterizes Japanese people as desirable residents for a number of reasons, and emphasizes the warm relationship between Japan and the United States.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-03-21