Minto, Gilbert John Murray Kynynmond Elliot, Earl of, 1845-1914

Lyle A. McGeoch examines the state of relations between the United States and Great Britain when Lord Lansdowne served as Britain’s foreign secretary from November 1900 to December 1905. He highlights the negotiations concerning the Hay-Pauncefote treaty, the settlement of a boundary dispute between Canada and the United States, and a crisis stemming from Venezuela’s debt to Great Britain and Germany. McGeogh also looks at how Lansdowne struggled with the appointment of an ambassador to the United States, his difficulty at times in dealing with the personal style of diplomacy employed by President Theodore Roosevelt, and Lansdowne’s recognition of growing American power in the first decade of the twentieth century.

Collection

Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal

Creation Date

1979

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1900-12-09

Creator(s)

Kitson, Gerald C., 1856-1950

Recipient

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

In a foreign policy speech given in Detroit, Michigan, President Roosevelt first praises the veterans in the crowd, giving special praise to the Michigan naval militia who served with distinction during the Spanish-American War, a conflict that pointed out the “fundamental unity of our country.” On behalf of all who served there, Roosevelt expresses the hope that they shared the spirit of those who fought in the Civil War and notes that “a good deed done by any American is put down to the credit of all Americans.” Turning to post-war challenges, Roosevelt says Puerto Rico prospers and that the Filipinos are happier and freer than ever before; he praises the United States for the amount of “self-government and personal freedom” that it has already given to the Filipino people. He discusses Congressional plans to undertake a census, create a legislative assembly, and install telegraph cables in the Philippines. He also explains how matters in Cuba are different than in the Philippines. With Cuban independence, Roosevelt sees a need for economic reciprocity between the island nation and the United States. He concludes by delivering what he calls “the gospel of hope”: the belief that with optimism and hard work the United States will become the greatest nation in world history.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Endicott Peabody was glad to read the letters sent by President Roosevelt from Lord Curzon of Kedleston, which reflect Roosevelt’s good work. Peabody speaks positively of Curzon and his private secretary Sir Walter Lawrence, who is a friend, but finds Gilbert John Murray Kynynmond Elliot, Earl of Minto and current viceroy and governor-general of India, ineffective.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-09-22

William Loeb will bring to the Canadian government’s attention the need to appoint members for a proposed international commission monitoring the waters between the U.S. and Canada.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-12-14

Ambassador Choate reports that British leaders, especially Canadian Prime Minister Wilfred Laurier and John Murray Kynynmond Elliot, Earl of Minto, are pressuring him to renew negotiations on the Alaskan Boundary Question. Choate supports the stated American position and is not anxious to delve into the issue.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-07-05