Your TR Source
Theodore Roosevelt is disappointed William Astor Chanler is living abroad. He is interested in Chanler’s remarks about the Italians but does not make suggestions to the administration on foreign policy. Roosevelt comments on the Italian invasion of Tripoli.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-11-21
Theodore Roosevelt thanks Carter H. Fitz-Hugh for sharing the editorial. He comments on arbitration treaties. Roosevelt believes the current relations between England and the United States make war unlikely. However, the current actions of other countries, such as Italy, in foreign regions show that treaties are worthless if they are not backed by force.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-10-31
President Roosevelt introduces Oric Bates to Ambassador Leishman and asks that he help Bates and Richard Norton obtain a firman, or permit, to do archaeological digs in Tripoli, Ottoman Empire. Bates and Norton are working for the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1909-01-21
Consul General to Egypt Jay updates Theodore Roosevelt on his plans. He expects to be in the United States until the end of December unless the Italians’ conduct in Tripoli, Libya, causes tumult in Egypt, necessitating his return. Jay gives the address where he and his wife, Susan Jay, are staying. He hopes to see Roosevelt and is glad that Edith Kermit Carow is better.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-11-04
John St. Loe Strachey is annoyed with the article’s misrepresentation of Theodore Roosevelt’s policy on arbitration treaties that appeared in the Spectator while he was on holiday and apologizes for it. Strachey approves of a general arbitration treaty between Great Britain and the United States but not general treaties with the world at large. He recently stayed with Andrew Carnegie and found his illusions about arbitration “a positive nightmare.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-10-27
The memorandum says that it has become part of the public discourse to blame Germany for all events that happen contrary to their wishes. The writer says that various accusations levied against Germany’s meetings with delegates from places like Tripoli have proven false. Throughout the memorandum, the notion that Germany wants to take part in the “Akaba” controversy is debunked.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-06-04
Postcard showing a caravan coming down a road in Tripoli. Charles C. Myers comments that the individuals are coming into town from the country.
In Charles C. Myers’s own words, “A small caravan coming in from across the desert.”
Postcard showing several individuals and animals walking along a street in Tripoli. The Islamic Arts and Crafts School is located on the left side of the street. Charles C. Myers notes the presence of a water peddler on the street.
In Charles C. Myers’s own words, “On one of the best streets of Tripoli. Showing an Arab with his load on a burro and a native water peddler with water kegs on the camel.”
Postcard showing a caravan walking along a road in Tripoli. Charles C. Myers notes that the caravan is transporting goods from the desert to Mediterranean cities.
In Charles C. Myers’s own words, “A larger caravan of camels coming in from across the desert with loads of goods for market.”
Postcard showing a man traveling through an oasis with his donkeys and camel. A structure can be seen among the palm trees in the background. Charles C. Myers notes the man is going to market.
In Charles C. Myers’s own words, “An arab with his camel and two burrows, coming into the city.”
Postcard showing a group of Bedouins in Tripoli. The group sits on the ground beneath a palm tree. Charles C. Myers expresses his low opinion of the city and the people within it. Myers believes white men are not safe in Tripoli.
In Charles C. Myers’s own words, “A group of Bedouns [sic], which is known the world over as being the worst of desperadoes and cut-throats in the world. The lowest class of Arabs.”
Postcard showing a man from Tripoli. The man is holding a rifle and has a large sheathed knife hanging from his neck. Charles C. Myers describes the man as a typical of Tripoli. Meyers mentions his negative opinions of the native people of Tripoli.
In Charles C. Myers’s own words, “This is one of the African natives– a soldier.”
Postcard showing an indigenous woman from Tripoli sitting on the ground. Charles C. Myers notes that she is a “familiar figure” in the area.
In Charles C. Myers’s own words, “Here is another, this is one of the working girls, making baskets etc”.
Postcard showing a young Jewish woman from Tripoli. Charles C. Myers describes her as “stylish.”
In Charles C. Myers’s own words, “Now to say the most of Tripoli, capital of the state of the same name in northenr [sic] Africa, it is the last place on earth to visit. It is a city of considerable size and is known as one of the most immoral and filthy and degrading places on earth and to say the least it is a place where a white mans life is not safe at any time and I presume much worse now during the war. I was only on the streets of that place a few hours and w [sic] would have been glad to have got away sooner that I did. So I am sorry to say I have only a few pictures from there. This represents one of the high class or society natives of the city of Tripoli.”
Charles C. Myers describes a series of thirteen postcards illustrating Suez, Egypt, the Suez Canal, and Tripoli.
Unknown
The author discusses Italy’s decision to intervene in Tripoli, comparing it to previous movements by countries to bring modern civilization into unruly places. If peace talks and international arbitration were able to control the world, Western civilization would not be what it is today.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-10-04
Vahan Cardashian has spoken to the Turkish ambassador, Seyfettin Bey, and shares information with a reporter about the position of Turkey in the conflict with Italy. Cardashian does not believe the reasons used by the Italians justify an attack on Tripoli.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-10-03
The text of article 12 of the treaty between the United States and Tripoli, which outlines the steps taken if any dispute arises from the violation of other articles of the treaty. In particular, it states that war should not be declared.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1796-11-04