Kings and rulers

In a classroom, the rulers of several countries are the students. Most are identified by country and showing the attributes of their leaders, including, in the back row, “Russia” (Nicholas II), “Germany” (William II), and England (John Bull), and in the front row, “Austria” (Franz Joseph I), “France” (Emile Loubet), Uncle Sam, Japan (Meiji, Emperor of Japan), and Italy (Victor Emmanuel III). On the far left, sitting on a stool, is “Turkey” wearing a “Dunce” cap. The teacher labeled “Diplomacy,” at the front of the room, points to a blackboard on which is written “If the Boer War cost Great Britain $825,000,000 what would a world’s war cost?” While most of the leaders ponder this question, Russia and Japan glare at each other. There are three wastebaskets filled with weapons.

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Collection

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

Creation Date

1903-11-04

John Bull, representing “England,” and a line of European rulers with the attributes of Nicholas II “Russia,” William II “Germany,” Franz Joseph I “Austria,” Emile Loubet “France,” Victor Emmanuel III “Italy,” and Alfonso XIII “Spain,” each with a broom, stand on a beach trying to sweep back the wave of “American Commerce” about to crash on their shores.

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Collection

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

Creation Date

1902-09-03

Uncle Sam sits at a table with 10 figures, three of which are unidentified, the others showing the attributes of the rulers of Russia (Nicholas II), England (Edward VII), Germany (William II), Japan (Meiji, Emperor of Japan), Italy (Victor Emmanuel III), Austria (Franz Joseph I), and France (Emile Loubet), representing the eight nation alliance. A large tray of fruit labeled “Chinese Indemnity” is on the table. Hanging above the table by a thin string is an enormous sword labeled “Awakening of China.”

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Collection

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

Creation Date

1901-09-04

The Russian bear, wearing a military uniform and with sword drawn, stands on one side of a ditch. Facing the bear on the other side of the ditch are various rulers, including “Japan,” “Germany,” “France,” “Italy,” and “Austria,” as well as John Bull representing “England” and Uncle Sam, standing, holding rifles with fixed bayonets. Behind them sits a man labeled “China,” laughing.

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Collection

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

Creation Date

1901-04-24

The rulers of “Russia,” “Germany,” “Italy,” “Austria,” “France,” and “England” are chickens trying to hatch a large egg labeled “China.” A chicken labeled “Japan” stands in the background with Uncle Sam, also as a chicken, perched on a fence in the rear.

comments and context

Collection

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

Creation Date

1901-04-06

The emperors of Russia, Japan, and Germany, and the king of Great Britain each hold a balance scale, and all but “Japan” hold a paper that states their country’s “claim for indemnity.” They are confronting a kneeling, shocked Chinese man labeled “China.” In the background, on the right, Puck is handing a cap and gown to Uncle Sam, suggesting that he play the role of “Portia” and outwit the “Shylocks.” Caption: Puck (to Uncle Sam). — That poor fellow needs a Portia. Why don’t you take the part?

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Collection

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

Creation Date

1901-03-27

Illustration shows Edward VII, King of Great Britain, full-length portrait, standing, facing front, with an insert showing “(Caricature of Louis XIV, by Thackeray) ‘You see at once that majesty is made out of the wig, the high-heeled shoes and cloak, all fleurs-de-lis bespangled….Thus do barbers and cobblers make the gods that we worship.’ –Thackeray.”

comments and context

Collection

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

Creation Date

1901-03-13

A native king, sitting on a throne, speaks with his advisers about the presence of a missionary on the coast. Caption: “Your Majesty,” said the right-hand man of the native king, “there is a missionary working his way along the coast.” “Well, we don’t want to have any trouble,” said the king. “Ask him if his people won’t be satisfied with a coaling station.”

comments and context

Collection

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

Creation Date

1901-01-23

President Roosevelt tells Sir George Otto Trevelyan of his happiness regarding the recent 1904 presidential election, and remarks that he is glad people decided to support the positive message of the Republican Party, rather than the negativity of the Democratic Party. The president attributes his victory to the clear-cut message in his speeches and addresses as well as those canvassing for him. Roosevelt discusses the differences between the American president and other political leaders and believes the American president is more like the British prime minister than the French president. he additionally reflects on his intention not to run for a third term. Even without the convention of only two terms, the president believes it would be better for Secretary of War William H. Taft or Elihu Root to succeed him; they are similar in policy, but would have fresh thoughts and ways. Roosevelt concludes by discussing his recent reading. He praises a section from one of Abraham Lincoln’s speeches after his reelection and equates certain American political leaders to characters in Charles Dickens’s works.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-11-24

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Theodore Roosevelt tells Abbot Mohr that it is not possible for Roosevelt to give a letter of introduction to any emperor or sovereign.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1913-03-14

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

President Roosevelt introduces Ambassador Reid to Silas McBee, editor of The Churchman. He explains that McBee would like an audience with Edward VII, King of Great Britain, and that if this is possible Roosevelt would appreciate Reid’s assistance in arranging such an audience.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-06-14

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

President Roosevelt has written to Ambassador Whitelaw Reid as Silas McBee has requested, but cautions that he has had to put the letter in “somewhat tentative fashion,” as there may be difficulties in scheduling an audience with King Edward VII of Great Britain. Roosevelt encloses the letter so that McBee can give it to Reid personally.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-06-14

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

President Roosevelt returns The Early History of Kingship to George Cabot Lodge and discusses his thoughts on the book. He asks if Lodge has been able to trace an assertion that a “proto man” was found in Australia.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-01-16

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

President Roosevelt finds the letters and the book Thomas Nelson Page sent interesting, but warns Page not to call him “Excellency” again as it makes Roosevelt feel as if he were a “fifth rate German potentate.” He prefers the title of “The President.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-12-23

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

President Roosevelt has a high regard for President Diaz but the rulers of foreign countries cannot be invited as it would set an unfortunate precedent. Their democratic government is also poorly suited to host “kings and the like.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-04-25

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Assistant Secretary of the Navy Roosevelt writes to Frederick Courteney Selous about big game hunting and authors of the sport. Roosevelt was disappointed by the inaccuracies in Percy Selous’s book, which he bought because it was co-authored with Henry Anderson Bryden. Roosevelt offers congratulations to Selous and his wife on the upcoming birth of their first child and talks about his own family life and the obstacles it produces for getting away despite being fond of his wife and six children. He longs for an extended hunt but will settle for reading of other wildernesses like those in Selous’s book. Roosevelt presumes they would both count Fitzwilliam Thomas Pollok a fake based on his writings since he includes some experiences “that are all nonsense,” much like the writing of Henry Astbury Leveson, the Old Shikari. Roosevelt says that both Pollok and Leveson’s work would “have done credit” to the adventure writer Mayne Reid. Roosevelt also thinks William Henry Drummond “was not always an exact observer” based on what Selous wrote. Roosevelt mentions the black rhinoceros attacks William Astor Chanler and Ludwig Ritter von Höhnel experienced when in Africa and that he has just finished the book by John Guille Millais that Selous sent him.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1898-02-15

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Abbot Mohr discusses his upcoming trip to the Tomb of St. Benedict and his plans to visit the German Emperor William II before returning to the United States. He asks Theodore Roosevelt to write a line to the Emperor in the hopes that it will help Mohr get a meeting with him. In a postscript, Mohr writes that he will be on the SS Prinzess Irene from Naples, Italy, on April 12.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1913-03

Creator(s)

Mohr, Charles H. (Charles Henry), 1863-1931

J. Arthur Randbrook asks Theodore Roosevelt for his thoughts on King of Great Britain George V and Queen Mary’s upcoming historic visit to and coronation in India.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-08-24

Creator(s)

Randbrook, J. Arthur

C. E. Eyles is conducting research for his play about King Charles II of England, whom he believes “was more wayward than wicked.” A biography on Oliver Cromwell mentioned a rumor that Charles II had sexual relations with Cromwell’s daughter. He asks Theodore Roosevelt if he included this incident in his work on Cromwell. Eyles assures he has always been “a Roosevelt man.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-01-15

Creator(s)

Eyles, C. E.

Whitelaw Reid, Ambassador to the United Kingdom, updates President Roosevelt on King of Britain Edward VII’s respectful behavior toward Sultan of the Turks Abdülhamid II. Turkey has embraced British Ambassador Sir Gerard Lowther, who has ended up in a position of power mostly by luck. The German Emperor William II has been recklessly deepening the financial troubles that plague Berlin. Reid does not think Roosevelt will need his Colonel’s uniform for visiting England, and details the appropriate attire. He discusses an agreement made with Chairman of the Republican National Committee Frank H. Hitchcock to send copies of the Daily Tribune to voters in New York. Lord Robert Offley Ashburton Crewe-Milnes has been unavailable due to travel, but Reid should have more information when the next session begins in three weeks.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-09-23

Creator(s)

Reid, Whitelaw, 1837-1912