Jusserand, J. J. (Jean Jules), 1855-1932

Secretary of State Hay sends President Roosevelt a copy of a letter from the French Ambassador.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-05-25

President Roosevelt confides to Senator Lodge that due to the poor health of former Secretary of State John Hay, Roosevelt had to act as his own Secretary of State. Roosevelt also confesses that he had doubts about Hay’s judgment on matters such as dealing with Kaiser William II of Germany. Roosevelt states that he is pleased that Elihu Root accepted his offer to replace Hay, and he provides insight on negotiations with France and Germany regarding the crisis in Morocco.

Collection

Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal

Creation Date

1905-07-11

In a letter to Ambassador Reid, President Roosevelt describes his role in securing a peaceful solution to the Moroccan crisis by his personal diplomacy with the French and German ambassadors to the United States, J.J. Jusserand and Hermann Speck von Sternburg. Roosevelt contends that he urged the French to agree to a conference, and that they should allow the German emperor to save his self-esteem. Roosevelt asserts that he was on good terms with both ambassadors. 

Collection

Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal

Creation Date

1906-04-28

In a letter to George Otto Trevelyan, President Roosevelt provides details of some of the negotiations he undertook with regard to various crises during his presidency. Roosevelt relays his experience dealing with Kaiser William II of Germany in three matters, and he discusses the desire of the Japanese to keep secret their asking Roosevelt to mediate the Russo-Japanese War. Roosevelt underscores the insecure temperament of William II, and he cautions Trevelyan against sharing his letter except with perhaps his sons and Viscount Edward Grey. Roosevelt also discusses a diplomatic dustup with Germany caused by the diplomatic meddling of Andrew Carnegie.

Collection

Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal

Creation Date

1911-11-09

Serge Ricard argues that there were two sides to Theodore Roosevelt’s foreign policy: “a sort of Jekyll and Hyde” approach that mixed professional diplomacy with imperialism. Ricard notes the shift in the historiography of Roosevelt’s diplomacy during the 1980s with an emphasis on placing Roosevelt’s actions in the context of his time that is more complimentary to his reputation. Ricard praises some aspects of Roosevelt’s foreign policy record, but he contends that Roosevelt could not entirely escape the racist and imperialist thinking of his time that led him to belittle nations like China and Colombia.

A photograph of Roosevelt with a large globe and a text box listing the members of the executive committee of the Theodore Roosevelt Association accompany the text.

Collection

Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal

Four books are featured in this edition of the “Books” section with a lengthy book review essay, a brief review, and two notices that act as endorsements for the respective works. In “Serge Ricard on Theodore Roosevelt’s Foreign Policy,” William N. Tilchin examines Ricard’s Theodore Roosevelt: Principles and Practice of a Foreign Policy. Tilchin notes that Ricard’s work is free of much of the ideological baggage that marked his previous work on Roosevelt’s diplomacy, and he carefully lays out the organization of the book, highlighting the main points of each part. Tilchin notes the policies and actions for which Ricard praises Roosevelt, such as his preparation of the United States Navy for war while Assistant Secretary of the Navy, and he also criticizes Ricard for some of his assertions. Tilchin concludes that Ricard’s work “is among the most ambitious and important books ever written on Roosevelt’s foreign policy.”

The section features five brief excerpts from Theodore Roosevelt: Many-Sided American and six excerpts from Nathan Miller’s biography Theodore Roosevelt: A Life. “Books” closes with an anonymous review of Matinecock Light, a history of the Oyster Bay, New York, Masonic Lodge which counted Roosevelt as one of its members. An illustration and a photograph of Roosevelt appear in the section.

Collection

Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal

Stefan H. Rinke explores the relationship between Theodore Roosevelt and Hermann Speck von Sternburg, the German ambassador to the United States from 1903 to 1908. Rinke notes that the two became friends in the 1880s, and that they shared mutual interests in the outdoors, hunting, and the study of war. Rinke says that Roosevelt’s friendship for Sternburg led to the President’s lobbying the German government to have Sternburg appointed ambassador, but he believes that Sternburg could not significantly improve the relationship between Germany and the United States because Roosevelt was so partial to Great Britain and France.

Photographs of Sternburg and Rinke appear in the article as do two text boxes. One has a listing of the officers of the Theodore Roosevelt Association and the other notes that this issue of the Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal is dedicated to Captain Charles S. Abott and the men of the USS Theodore Roosevelt.

Collection

Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal

William N. Tilchin examines the foreign policy views of President Theodore Roosevelt and President Harry S. Truman. Tilchin provides an overview of the major crises and decisions faced by both presidents, and he also looks at the administrations between Roosevelt and Truman and how each president approached the practice of diplomacy. Tilchin notes the importance of four Secretaries of State: John Hay and Elihu Root under Roosevelt and George C. Marshall and Dean Acheson under Truman, and he outlines their core beliefs and how they influenced each president. Tilchin concludes by comparing aspects of Roosevelt’s and Truman’s foreign policies and by asserting that each understood the primacy of power in international affairs.

A photograph of Roosevelt on horseback, without an accompanying caption, supplements the text. A listing of the officers of the Theodore Roosevelt Association along with the members of its executive, finance, and Theodore Roosevelt Birthplace committees is found on page two of the essay.

Collection

Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal

Frederick W. Marks explores why Theodore Roosevelt’s foreign policy record is either ignored or dismissed in high school textbooks. Marks examines Roosevelt’s diplomacy, especially his dealings with Latin American nations, to assert that Roosevelt had a record worthy of study and recognition. Marks notes the irony in Roosevelt’s poor treatment at the hands of historians as Roosevelt was an accomplished historian and a president of the American Historical Association. Marks concludes his article by asking why Roosevelt’s record is downplayed, and he argues that Roosevelt’s larger than life personality overshadows his achievements and that the standards for judging diplomatic behavior in 1900 and 1985 are markedly different. 

A photograph of Marks and of the Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site appear in the article.

Photograph showing President Roosevelt with his “Tennis Cabinet” on the White House lawn on March 1, 1909, when a farewell luncheon was held for the group. Shown from left to right behind Theodore Roosevelt are military aide Archie Butt, Third Assistant Secretary of State William Phillips, Commissioner of the Bureau of Corporations Herbert Knox Smith, Assistant Secretary of the Navy Beekman Winthrop, Chief of U.S. Forest Service Gifford Pinchot, Comptroller of Currency Lawrence O. Murray, U.S. District Attorney Henry L. Stimson, Assistant Secretary of the Navy Herbert Livingston Satterlee, Associate Justice William H. Moody, U.S. District Attorney John Carter Rose, Secretary of the Navy Truman Handy Newberry, G. W. Woodruff, French Ambassador J. J. Jusserand, William Walter Heffelfinger, Postmaster General George von Lengerke Meyer, Commission of Indian Affairs Francis E. Leupp, John Avery McIlhenny, Secretary of the Interior James Rudolph Garfield, U.S. Marshal Seth Bullock, Solicitor General Henry Martyn Hoyt, U.S. Marshal John R. Abernathy, Luther S. Kelly, Secretary of State Robert Bacon, Commissioner of Labor Charles Patrick Neill, William Wingate Sewall, Commissioner General of Immigration Daniel J. Keefe, First Assistant Secretary of State James Callan O’Laughlin, James Bronson Reynolds, Henry S. Pritchett, and secretary William Loeb. In the foreground is the Alexander Phimster Proctor sculpture, “Stalking Panther,” which was presented to Roosevelt by his “Tennis Cabinet” at the luncheon.

Collection

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

Creation Date

1909-03-01

Barbara W. Tuchman examines Theodore Roosevelt’s thoughts on, and conduct of, foreign policy during the Spanish-American War and during his presidency. She shows both the belligerent and diplomatic sides of his nature by looking at his handling of the Perdicaris-Raisuli affair in 1904 and his relationship with Kaiser Wilhelm II of Germany. Tuchman also compares Roosevelt’s views with those of the long-time president of Harvard, Charles W. Eliot.

The invitation to the symposium at Harvard featuring Tuchman is reproduced on the second page of her article.

Collection

Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal

Edmund Morris argues that “the more one analyzes Theodore Roosevelt in the harsh light of historical research, the more authentic an American hero he becomes.” Morris looks at different episodes in Roosevelt’s life, such as his service during the Spanish-American War, to make his case, and he compares Roosevelt’s life to heroic figures from mythology and literature such as Hercules, Beowulf, and King Lear.  

Homer Davenport’s famous cartoon, “He’s good enough for me,” featuring Uncle Sam and Theodore Roosevelt is on the first page of the article.

TR returns from his African hunting trip through the countries of Sudan, France, Denmark, Norway, Germany, Great Britain, and finally his reception in New York City. There are views of: 1) his riverboat on the Nile River in Sudan; 2) TR’s visit in Paris with French Ambassador Jules Jusserand, Gen. Jean B. Dalstein, American Ambassador Robert Bacon, and Mrs. Bacon; his trip to Issy-les-Moulineaux; TR reviewing French troops with Jusserand, Bacon, and Dalstein at Vincennes on Apr. 27, 1910; and TR leaving the University of Paris (Sorbonne) on Apr. 23, 1910; 3) TR with Prince Christian and others in Denmark May 2-3, 1910; 4) TR and King Haakon in Christiania (now Oslo) on May 4-6, 1910; 5) views of Berlin including the Brandenburg Gate and the Reichstag; TR, Kaiser Wilhelm, the Kaiserin, and others leaving the University of Berlin on May 12, 1910

Collection

Library of Congress Motion Picture, Broadcasting and Recorded Sound

Creation Date

1910

President Roosevelt has a better understanding of the Payne-Wynne dispute and sees both of their viewpoints. He has been enjoying the company of the Jusserands and riding Wyoming, his new horse that is too fond of “trolleys and automobiles.”

Collection

Massachusetts Historical Society

Creation Date

1903-06-25

President Roosevelt writes to Ambassador Reid about ongoing negotiations between France and Germany about Morocco. Beginning with background information about the situation, with Germany wishing to call a conference to reform the government of Morocco—in opposition to France—Roosevelt then includes the text of numerous letters and telegrams in English and French from various parties related to this issue. Roosevelt says he will send copies of this letter to Henry White and George von Lengerke Meyer, and will show it to Secretary of State Elihu Root, as well, but no one else, as it is to be strictly confidential. He closes with some personal remarks to Reid, responding to a previous letter from him, and thanking him for presenting Milla Shonts and her daughters. The envelope appended at the end suggests that this is the copy of the letter which was sent to Meyer.

Collection

Massachusetts Historical Society

Creation Date

1906-04-28

President Roosevelt acknowledges Japan’s “overwhelming triumph” and hopes that Russia will concede to defeat in order to avoid further conflict.

Collection

Massachusetts Historical Society

Creation Date

1905-06-19

Theodore Roosevelt sent a telegraph to French Ambassador J. J. Jusserand on Gouverneur Morris’s behalf. Roosevelt encloses a letter to Ambassador Sharp. Roosevelt criticizes any potential appointee of President Woodrow Wilson and Secretary of State William Jennings Bryan. In a postscript, Roosevelt advises Morris to show this letter to the ambassador, but also to any Frenchmen and if it is presented to the ambassador, ask to retain it.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-06-03

Theodore Roosevelt welcomes the French ambassador and praises the French military’s actions during World War I. He says that America must support all of her allies, like France, and wage war on all of her enemies.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1917-12-08

Theodore Roosevelt is disappointed that he will not be able to participate in the war. He has a low opinion of President Wilson and suggests that the Allies will not seek Roosevelt’s services for fear of antagonizing Wilson, a man that would sacrifice anything for personal advancement. Ted Roosevelt and Archie Roosevelt attempted to enlist as privates with General Pershing but they were refused as this would be a “waste of material.” He is pleased that James Russell Parsons is preparing for military service, even though he cannot enlist for many months.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1917-05-24

A letter from Banner Shull, who had served in the motor company commanded by Quentin Roosevelt, was printed in an Ohio newspaper and was very complimentary of Quentin’s leadership. The family is “proud as peacocks” of the various tributes Quentin has received. Grace Stackpole Lockwood Roosevelt, Ethel Roosevelt Derby, and the two Derby children are staying at Sagamore Hill. Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt is “not very strong” but is “just as pretty as possible.” On Saturday, Roosevelt attended a dinner for Ambassador Jusserand. He then spent the night at Corinne Roosevelt Robinson’s home and was able to see Senator Lodge and General Wood.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1917-12-10