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Ambassador Meyer reports on diplomatic meetings in Russia. Emperor Nicholas II would like President Roosevelt to confirm that Japan has named its plenipotentiaries, so that Russia may name men of equal standing. The Minister of Foreign Affairs believes that matters should now be expedited and “an armistice considered and agreed upon.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-06-20
Ambassador George von Lengerke Meyer updates President Roosevelt on the difficulties he has encountered trying to obtain Russia’s commitment to peace negotiations with Japan.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-06-18
Late last night, Ambassador Meyer received a letter from Minister Lamzdorf informing him of Emperor Nicholas II’s decision to accept President Roosevelt’s invitation for peace talks with Japan. Meyer has had some frustrating and heated discussions with Lamzdorf and has had to threaten to take matters to the Emperor himself. Lamzdorf is eager to know who the Japanese plan to appoint as plenipotentiaries, so that Russia can choose its best representatives. Meyer hopes that Russia does not appoint Ambassador Nelidov who he considers to be “too old and nervous.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-06-18
George von Lengerke Meyer informs Secretary of State Hay that he has followed Hay’s instructions and is waiting for a reply from Ambassador Arthur Paul Nicholas Cassini. Meyer is also waiting to hear back from Emperor Nicholas II about a cable Hay sent to the czar.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-06-17
Ambassador Meyer informs President Roosevelt about a message from Russian Foreign Minister Lamsdorf who mentions that the Emperor consents to Washington as the choice for the diplomatic meeting regarding Russian and Japanese plenipotentiaries.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-06-17
Ambassador Meyer writes to Secretary of State Hay discussing the diplomatic meeting places which were being considered. According to Meyer, Foreign Minister Lamsdorf had informed Count Cassini that the Russians would prefer to meet at The Hague. However, President Roosevelt had already designated Washington as the diplomatic meeting place.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-06-16
A possible hitch in the negotiations occurred on June 11, when a representative of the Associated Press said that he feared there was bad faith on the part of Russia. This was due to a telegram sent out by Reuters saying that while Japan would nominate plenipotentiaries, Russia would only name representatives. The Reuters agent claimed to hear that information at the Foreign Office. The issue had not been raised by Tsar Nicholas II or Count Lamzdorf, and Meyer had received a formal acceptance that morning from Russia that used the word plenipotentiary.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-06-16
Ambassador Meyer was able to obtain an audience with Emperor Nicholas II. They discussed President Roosevelt’s propositions for peace. Nicholas II agreed to the propositions. He said that it was important that the meeting of the plenipotentiaries take place before Saghalien was attacked or occupied. Nicholas II hopes to see the old friendship between the United States and Russia renewed.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-06-16
Ambassador Meyer sends Secretary of State Hay a copy of the French text and a translation of Russia’s official note of acceptance to President Roosevelt’s invitation for the plenipotentiaries of Russia and Japan to meet to negotiate an end to the Russo-Japanese War. Count Lamzdorf has approved the translation.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-06-16
Summary written by James de Vrescheville, clerk to the American ambassador to Russia, George von Lengerke Meyer. The letter describes a meeting between Meyer and Count Lamsdorff of Russia, explaining the meaning of the English translation of a Russian communique saying that Russia and Japan would be willing to sit with President Roosevelt to discuss a truce between the two warring countries. During the meeting, Meyer explained the particular choice of words harped on by the press, that would in no way impact negotiations.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-06-15
V. N. Lamzdorf has confirmed that The Hague is an acceptable place to Russia as a meeting place for the plenipotentiaries of Russia and Japan. He has cabled Russia’s ambassador to the United States, Count Cassini, to inform him of the same.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-06-15
Acting Secretary of State Loomis asks Ambassador Meyer to inform Count V. N. Lamzdorf that President Roosevelt had contacted Japanese government officials regarding Washington as the designated meeting place, which would be favorable for Japan and Russia.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-06-15
Diplomatic secretary De Frescheville notes that the Russian government is open to the idea of the Russian and Japanese diplomats meeting together and discussing peace, as long as the Japanese government also agrees to take part in the meeting.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-06-15
John Callan O’Laughlin informs President Roosevelt that Ambassador Cassini has received no communication from Russia. Cassini stated that if he were able to see Ambassador Meyer’s report of his conversation with Czar Nicholas II to ascertain whether Russia wanted peace and if Roosevelt was encouraging Japan to be “moderate,” he would recommend a peace conference. O’Laughlin passed along Roosevelt’s perspective that Russia was defeated on land and sea and that must be kept in mind during negotiations.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-06-09
Ambassador Meyer writes to President Roosevelt, relaying details of his meeting with Czar Nicholas II to discuss Roosevelt’s desire to encourage peace negotiations between Japan and Russia. The czar made an exception for Meyer and entertained him on the empress’s birthday. Meyer reports that although Czar Nicholas was initially resistant to the idea, he acquiesced as long as Japan would not be aware of Russia’s cooperation initially.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-06-09
Ambassador Meyer writes to President Roosevelt how Meyer personally delivered Roosevelt’s proposition for a meeting between Japan and Russia to negotiate peace to Emperor Nicholas. Meyer outlines his efforts to convince the Emperor that negotiations were necessary, which the Emperor accepted.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-06-09
Baron von dem Bussche-Haddenhausen replies to President Roosevelt’s “telegraphic letter” to tell Roosevelt that Russia has rejected the idea of peace because of the unfavorable conditions. However, Lamzdorf informed the German ambassador that the Russian conditions of peace had already been communicated to France.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-01-17
Transcription of Baron Komura’s telegram. According to Prime Minister Sergie Witte, Emperor Nicholas II still refuses any further concessions. Komura fears that President Roosevelt’s efforts for peace will be futile.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-08-28
Emperor Nicholas II has received President Roosevelt’s message, but will not alter Russia’s stance on peace conditions.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-08-27
Ambassador Meyer reports that Emperor Nicholas II has received President Roosevelt’s message but will not alter Russia’s stance on peace conditions.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-08-27