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President Roosevelt thanks Kazuko Gotō for the book about about Japanese rule in Taiwan. Roosevelt enjoyed meeting her and was surprised to have learned that Bushido: the Soul of Japan had been written by a Japanese Quaker.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-11-07
President Roosevelt discusses various aspects of his efforts to make peace between Japan and Russia at length with Cecil Spring Rice. He also discusses the current strained relations between England and Germany, and informs Rice that he does not intend to take on the role of regular peacemaker between other countries. It is necessary for him to focus on the affairs of the United States, rather than trying to keep peace in Europe.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-11-01
President Roosevelt instructs Acting Secretary of State Adee to notify Secretary of the Navy Paul Morton and Admiral Caspar F. Goodrich that the officers may be paroled to San Francisco if Minister Taro Katsura objects to their being sent home.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-09-17
President-Elect Taft advises President Roosevelt to veto the bill in response to Congress’s refusal to put the Census Bureau under the Civil Service Act. Taft believes that vetoing it will help to put an end to the “pernicious spoils system.” Taft reports that Representative Joseph R. Foraker claims Taft and Roosevelt have taken money from an emergency fund unlawfully and has requested that they make their expenditures public. Taft details the expenditures he has made over the past four years from the fund, most of which covered his travel expenses. Taft reasons it may not be in the best interest of the public to reveal all of the expenditures, but recognizes that failure to do so would “create such a row.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1909-01-13
John Callan O’Laughlin informs President Roosevelt that the Japanese government has had a change of heart regarding the agreement between the United States and Japan which was proposed last fall. They would now like to enter into the agreement, which would give assurances that the Japanese would honor United States sovereignty over its Pacific possessions. Regarding a treaty that will end in 1912, O’Laughlin notes that the Japanese would like revisions regarding Japanese immigration to the United States. The Japanese are also thinking about annexing Korea.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-10-11
John Callan O’Laughlin reports that the Aoki agreement which Japan wishes to enter into with the United States declares the Pacific Ocean an “international highway” and disavows Japan’s designs on the Philippines. O’Laughlin relays to President Roosevelt a conversation he had with Japanese Premier Tarō Katsura. In the conversation, they reviewed the history of relations between the United States and Japan. Katsura assured O’Laughlin of his respect for Roosevelt and the United States, and the desire that Japan and the United States remain friendly. Despite reports from Europe, Katsura denies that Japan is preparing for war.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-10-20
Secretary of War Taft instructs Frank McIntyre to direct the message in his telegram regarding his visit in Japan to Secretary of State Elihu Root if he is in town, otherwise to President Roosevelt. Taft has met with many Japanese politicians and officials, and discussed many topics of interest to both nations, primarily concerning Japanese immigration to the United States. Taft does not think it is wise to pursue a treaty including reciprocal exclusion at this time, and wishes to inform Roosevelt so that he can persuade members of congress from California to accept the current status quo.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-10-18
Assistant Secretary of State Wilson sends three memoranda to Acting Secretary of State Robert Bacon. In the first, Wilson gives a brief curriculum vitae of Japanese diplomat Admiral Gonnohyōe Yamamoto, indicating he is considered an “elder statesman” in Japan and likely to be the next prime minister. In the second memorandum, Wilson describes Japanese public opinion and press coverage of the immigration situation in the United States, particularly in San Francisco. The third memorandum describes complaints sent by the Chambers of Commerce of Japan to the “principal” Chambers of Commerce of the United States regarding the treatment of Japanese immigrants.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-07-06
Ambassador Griscom describes to Secretary of State Root the riots in Tokyo, which broke out upon news of the peace treaty ending the Russo-Japanese War. Although several foreigners and American churches have been attacked, the violence does not seem to be specifically directed at foreigners or Christians. However, Griscom encloses a letter stating that two churches are in imminent danger of being attacked and burned, in which he requests protection from Japanese forces.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-09-15
Secretary of War Taft gives an account of a conversation he had with Count Katsura about Japan’s desires in regard to the Philippine Islands and Korea. Draft with corrections and corrected copy.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-07-29
Rudolph Forster sends a copy of a cable sent from Tokyo by Secretary of War William H. Taft to Secretary of State Elihu Root regarding an “agreed memorandum of conversation” between the prime minister of Japan and Taft regarding the Philippines Islands, Korea, and maintaining peace in the Far East. The final paragraph informs Root and President Roosevelt of an impending visit of two Chinese government officials as a test of the United States government’s intention to ameliorate conditions for Chinese entering the country.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-07-29
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-04-05
Taft, William H. (William Howard), 1857-1930
A private communication describes the conversation between Marquis Kinmochi Saionji and Secretary of War William H. Taft during a lunch at the Arsenal Garden in Japan. Saionji expressed relief at learning that Taft’s views align with those of the Japanese government on relations between the United States and Japan and on the belief that the Philippines should remain under United States control. Taft was unable to secure another meeting with Saionji on the topic of immigration, but it was expressed to him that Japan could not act in any way on the matter that would impact their dignity on the world stage.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-10-01
An article in the London Times reports on the response from various British newspapers to allegations made by Secretary of War William H. Taft that the press was responsible for fomenting hostility between the United States and Japan. Several newspapers instead place the blame on the movement of the Great White Fleet through the Pacific Ocean, described as a “rash naval adventure,” which could be interpreted as a sign of aggression. The clipping had been sent to President Roosevelt specifically so he could read how the Times reported on American and Japanese relations, but the page also includes a report on Secretary of State Elihu Root’s visit to Mexico, Canadian wheat yields, a rise in anti-Asian sentiment within the United States, and a reprint of a speech given by Roosevelt on improving water transportation along the Mississippi River and the Great Lakes.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-10
Two articles from The California Weekly. “Terms of Friendship” declares that while there should be friendship and commerce between the United States and Japan, there must be separation of the two populations. It asserts that “the two races simply cannot dwell together” and cordial relationships between the two races are best left to politicians. “Victory in Defeat” proclaims that even though the Lincoln-Roosevelt League did not achieve their election goals to elect “a free, honest and capable” legislature in California, they still were victorious in inspiring Californians to demand their legislature “be good” and to fight against the machine.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1909-01-29