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Baron Kaneko reports that peace has been achieved between Russia and Japan, in accord with President Roosevelt’s suggested course of action. The Baron may return to Japan with Baron Komura.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-08-29
Herbert H. D. Peirce reports that the letter has been received and read by Baron Komura. Peirce will telegraph Komura’s reply as soon as possible.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-08-29
Herbert H. D. Peirce forwards a message from Baron Komura to President Roosevelt. Komura states that Japan has removed all demands for reimbursement, Russia and Japan have agreed on a division of Sakhalin, and diplomats are now discussing details of the arrangement.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-08-29
Herbert H. D. Peirce writes to William Loeb to discuss the confusion with the telegrams sent to the plenipotentiaries. He hopes Loeb will share his explanation with President Roosevelt.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-09-08
Herbert H. D. Peirce writes to William Loeb to say his secretary confused his telegrams for Baron Komura and Baron Rosen, but he has corrected the mistake.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-09-07
Assistant Secretary of State Adee tells President Roosevelt he received formal communication from the Japanese government concerning the Russian warships docked at Shanghai. Adee also reports a phone call from the Japanese ambassador and encloses a memorandum based on their conversation.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-08-27
The peace conference met as usual, with a short afternoon session and adjournment until Saturday.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-08-23
President Roosevelt standing in a room alongside men on the Mayflower.
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs
1905-08-07
President Roosevelt writes to journalist and explorer George Kennan regarding his article in The Outlook titled “The Sword of Peace in Japan.” He explains that Kennan’s analysis of Japan’s role in the peace agreement is incorrect, and supports his position with confidential facts. Kennan is told that none of the information in the letter is to be made public, but that he may use it to draw more accurate conclusions. Roosevelt explains that he himself did not force Japan into peace, and that he was not interested in boosting his own reputation through the negotiations. Japan willfully asked for the peace agreement, and also for Roosevelt’s involvement. Despite Kennan’s claims, Japan was in no position to demand an indemnity. The cost of the war, both literal and figurative, was too great for Japan to bear, and so they chose to negotiate for peace. They do not want these facts revealed for fear of embarrassment, Roosevelt explains. He supports Japan’s decisions, although he believes they could have fought harder in the agreement for the ownership of the northern half of Sakhalin Island. He quotes a note from Japan’s Minister of Foreign Affairs to support his claims.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-10-15
President Roosevelt clarifies for Ambassador Reid that on his African safari, he intends only to shoot specimens for the National Museum, with the exception of half a dozen trophies for himself, if he is able to shoot extras under his license. He discusses at length is plans for traveling through Europe following the safari. He accepts that he will have to see various heads of state in the countries he visits, and informs Reid that he will be delivering the Romanes lecture at Oxford. Roosevelt approves of the Japanese plan to postpone their international exposition until 1917 and wants to help them “put a good face” on the situation. He agrees with Reid’s assessment of various incidents at the Olympic games. However, Roosevelt stresses that all public statements about the Olympics should be positive.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-08-20
In response to an article in which George Kennan got facts about the peace between Russia and Japan wrong, President Roosevelt sends him information about the decision-making that led to the final peace deal. Roosevelt sends this for Kennan private information, because he believes that Kennan as a journalist is taken too seriously to misunderstand and misrepresent the facts.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-10-15
President Roosevelt sends Emperor Meiji of Japan the skin of a bear that he shot as a token of respect. He thanks Meiji for the courtesy he and his country have shown his daughter Alice Roosevelt and Secretary of War William H. Taft.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-09-06
President Roosevelt strongly praises the conduct of Emperor Meiji of Japan, both during the war with Russia and in deciding to enter peace negotiations. Roosevelt also praises the people of Japan, who, along with Meiji, possess “high valor and foresight” and “lofty wisdom.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-09-06
At the direction of President Roosevelt, William Loeb sends Third Assistant Secretary of State Herbert H. D. Peirce a confidential message to be delivered to Baron Jutarō Komura. He asks that Peirce secure a reply as quickly as possible and send it to Roosevelt by cipher telegram.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-08-28
President Roosevelt shares with Senator Lodge the in-depth details of how he worked to arrange a peace conference between Russia and Japan, including substantial quotations from letters and telegrams between himself and officials of both governments, as well as with Ambassador George von Lengerke Meyer and Ambassador Lloyd Carpenter Griscom. He writes frankly of his views of the two nations, and is not sure whether the negotiations will be successful.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-06-16
President Roosevelt directs Ambassador Griscom to inform the Japanese foreign office that members of their peace delegation will not be required to make any statements to immigration officials in the United States. He also asks Griscom to express his appreciation to Baron Jutarō Komura for his recent statements. Roosevelt will also speak with Baron Kogoro Takahira.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-06-19
Kogoro Takahira informs Theodore Roosevelt of Jutarō Komura’s death on November 26 in Japan. Following Komura’s involvement with the Treaty of Portsmouth, he was initially unpopular in Japan. However, the people gradually recognized that the Treaty was the only possible solution to prevent further bloodshed, and they greatly regret Komura’s death. Takahira comments on China’s “most terrible condition.” He sends Roosevelt and his family best wishes for the season.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-12-05
William L. Speiden is a veteran of the United States Navy and shares many mutual friends with Theodore Roosevelt. He wonders if Roosevelt might help to expedite and support his application to congress.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-05-19
John Callan O’Laughlin reports to President Roosevelt on his recently-finished trip to Japan. In particular, he recounted conversations with Japanese Minister for Foreign Affairs Komura Jutarō and Russian military attache W. K. Samoiloff. Japan intends to declare Manchuria a “zone of special interest.” O’Laughlin’s overall impression is that, while Roosevelt’s and Secretary of State Elihu Root’s efforts to improve relations with Japan have helped, Japan, and not China, represents the United States’s biggest problems in the region. O’Laughlin summarizes twelve conclusions from his trip about the current state of international relations with Japan.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-11-20
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