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David M. Munroe reports remarks made at the Libertyville Debating Club regarding the Jewish passport problem with Russia. The speaker believes politicians should be more concerned by the conditions of Americans living in congested cities.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-12-14
Oscar S. Straus acknowledges the letter and enclosures Jacob Saphirstein sent him of an editorial from the Jewish Morning Journal regarding the Russian passport question and the endorsement by Straus of Theodore Roosevelt’s proposal for arbitration of the passport question. Straus verifies his support of Roosevelt’s proposal and lists some of reasons for doing so. Straus invites Saphirstein to visit to discuss further details.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-10-24
Mrs. G. T. Carley invites Theodore Roosevelt to head the Conservers League. She discusses gold-backed currency and why she believes it is problematic. She likens features of the American west coast to body parts. She also laments the loss of her husband and implores Roosevelt to direct her on how best to serve her country.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-09-20
Oyster Bay, N.Y. Cove Neck Association asks Theodore Roosevelt to support their efforts in preserving and protecting the local environment and community interests.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-09-13
Arnold White writes about the international situation in Europe, addressing first Russia’s desire for a warm water port, and then his impression of Germany’s goals with regards to Europe. Germany, White says, is the only nation with something to gain from a European war, and that the push for war is coming from the Jewish influence in Germany. With President Roosevelt’s election and friendship towards Germany, the United States has been removed as a potential deterrent toward German aggression. White ends with a prediction that if war happens, it will come through German aggression towards the Netherlands moving towards a collision with Great Britain, and he admonishes his reader that Germany must be watched.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-04
Nicholas II, Emperor of Russia, sits on a throne, wearing a large skull topped with a cross as a crown. A Japanese man offers him papers labeled “Peace ‘with Honor’,” and a Jewish man, holding bags labeled “Jewish Loans,” stands in a palace doorway in the background. A basket overflowing with papers labeled “Jewish Petition [and] Protest against Kishineff Massacres” is on the floor. A paper on a desk states “Cost of War to Russia $1,042,500,000.”
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs
1905-09-06
A Jewish man dressed as Mars, the Roman god of war, and decorated with symbols of money, stands in the doorway of a munitions store labeled “Marsheim Bellonaberg & Co.” and “Ordnance Dept.” A notice posted on the side states “War Loans a Speciality” and a sign reads “By Appointment to H.I.M. the Czar & Mikado – Cash Vobiscum.”
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs
1905-01-25
President Roosevelt requests advice on potentially speaking out on behalf of the Russian Jews.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-05-25
President Roosevelt asks Secretary of State Hay to consult with Secretary of War Elihu Root and Secretary of Commerce and Labor George B. Cortelyou whether it would be advisable for Roosevelt to donate $100 to a fund for the relief of Russian Jews. A later notation shows that Root advises against a donation.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-05-21
Theodore Roosevelt’s secretary answers Joseph Bachrach’s question by directing him to an article written by Roosevelt in The Outlook in 1911 stating very strongly that Russia should give passports to any American citizen no matter their religious affiliation.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-09-06
Theodore Roosevelt apologizes to Millard J. Bloomer for not allowing the use of his name for the Citizens Peace Banquet. He does not know what the banquet’s stance is regarding the arbitration treaties. Roosevelt discusses his opinions on these treaties.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-12-05
Theodore Roosevelt apologizes to Millard J. Bloomer for not allowing the use of his name for the Citizens Peace Banquet. He does not know what the banquet’s stance is regarding the arbitration treaties. Roosevelt discusses his opinions on these treaties.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-12-05
Theodore Roosevelt writes to Commissioner William Williams about the racial designations on the back of the blank immigration forms he sent. He wonders why immigrants from Cuba and the West Indies are designated as separate races and compares it to the way Russia classifies its immigrants.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-07-07
Theodore Roosevelt writes to Commissioner of Immigration Williams regarding complaints made to him about a Department of Commerce and Labor ruling that Jews are to be classified as Hebrews on paperwork for outgoing immigrants. Roosevelt does not understand why religious affiliation should be included on such paperwork and would like to know more about the papers and their purpose.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-07-05
Theodore Roosevelt asks Oscar S. Straus his opinion on the enclosed piece. He believes that including a designation for “Hebrew” is appropriate on a census, for example, but that it is not appropriate for a passport. He wonders if it is “of sufficient importance to justify our treating it along these lines in a small editorial paragraph?” He adds that it was nice seeing Straus and his wife the other day.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-06-30
Theodore Roosevelt writes in confidence to Israel Frederick Fischer and asks not to be quoted in a way that it appears he is criticizing the current administration. He notes, with reference to the suggestion that “Hebrew” be included as a classification on passports, that he “would not put in the word Hebrew. I believe that from the standpoint of the Christian, just as much as from the standpoint of the Jew it is ill advised to treat what is really a religious matter as a race matter.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-06-30
Theodore Roosevelt expresses his support for members of the Catholic church being allowed to serve in leadership positions in the Y.M.C.A. Roosevelt asks Cleveland H. Dodge to forward his letter to the proper governing board of the Y.M.C.A.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-02-17
Theodore Roosevelt used the term “Jewish-American” to protest against divisions of creed or race. Whether someone is Jewish or not should not enter into voting decisions.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-10-25
President Roosevelt thanks French Ambassador Jusserand for the book and newspaper clipping. Roosevelt comments that he does not know who Louis Friedman is, and was not shown any telegram from him. Roosevelt enjoyed spending time with Jusserand and his wife, Elise Richards Jusserand, recently, and hopes that they enjoy their vacation.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-06-27
President Roosevelt tells Jacob H. Schiff that he had already begun to discuss the matter with Secretary of State Elihu Root before receiving Schiff’s telegram. Roosevelt does not wish to say exactly what has been done about the matter and on behalf of the Jews in Russia, as “the efficacy of anything that is done depends largely on there being no symptom of offense to the Russian authorities.” He explains the difficulty there is in trying to influence policy in Russia on behalf of the Jewish population there, and says that while the government is doing everything it can do, it “would not only be utterly futile, but would put this nation in an undignified position, and would be a harm instead of a help” for the government to attempt any direct action.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-06-22