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Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Cecil Spring Rice

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Cecil Spring Rice

President Roosevelt agrees with Cecil Spring Rice that the love of ease and luxury in the upper classes of the English-speaking world and France is dangerous. Germany does not suffer this problem, but instead is in danger from the vices of industrialism, as is Japan. Roosevelt hopes that Russia may steer a middle course between bureaucracy and anarchy. Roosevelt thinks Spring Rice may idealize the past too much, and says that “it is our business to do everything we can to be both decent and efficient under conditions as we actually find them.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-07-21

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Hermann Speck von Sternburg

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Hermann Speck von Sternburg

President Roosevelt discusses his thoughts regarding tensions with Japan with German Ambassador Sternburg, and supposes that racial differences between Europeans and Japanese makes understanding between the two races difficult. In response to a report from Sternburg that Japanese immigrants in Mexico could attack the United States from there should conflict arise, Roosevelt says this action would do nothing but anger the United States. Roosevelt does not understand why Japanese immigrants want to come to America and become naturalized citizens, yet retain their Japanese identity. Roosevelt pledges to treat the immigrants with justice and to protect them if need be, while at the same time keeping the American fleet ready to sail at a moment’s notice. He does not believe there will be war, but will try to “prevent it from being disastrous” if it does. Roosevelt worries because the Japanese have formidable military power, and Americans suffer from a luxurious, modern life that makes them frivolous. Roosevelt is troubled by men who talk about peace but are really cowards. Roosevelt says his foreign policy is simple: to show other nations justice, courtesy, and considerations, and to receive the same in return.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-07-16

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from French Ensor Chadwick to Theodore Roosevelt

Letter from French Ensor Chadwick to Theodore Roosevelt

French Ensor Chadwick thanks President Roosevelt for the copy of the book Rough Riders, but stands his ground regarding what constitutes heroism. Chadwick puts a great deal of emphasis on the different characters of Americans and Spaniards, writing of the “fatalism and fanaticism” of the Spanish character, and how this was shown in the actions of Pascual Cervera y Topete.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-07-06

Creator(s)

Chadwick, French Ensor, 1844-1919

Letter from Hector Munro Ferguson to Theodore Roosevelt

Letter from Hector Munro Ferguson to Theodore Roosevelt

Hector Munro Ferguson tells President Roosevelt that he will enjoy a visit from his friend Bishop of London Arthur F. Winnington Ingram, declaring the two will get along like “two houses a’fire.” Ferguson has particularly told the bishop about Roosevelt’s son, Kermit. He hopes the bishop will see that Americans are not just “Trusts and Souvenir-hunters.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-07-17

Creator(s)

Ferguson, Hector Munro, 1867-1951

Letter from James Franklin Bell to Theodore Roosevelt

Letter from James Franklin Bell to Theodore Roosevelt

Army Chief of Staff Bell sends President Roosevelt a letter from a retired Army officer which he believes contains some boasting on the part of a Japanese officer, although he does not doubt that similar thoughts have occurred to “mighty nearly every Japanese official.” Although reports have not shown any preparations by the Japanese for conflict with the United States, they have been gathering intelligence on American military activities on the Pacific coast and in the Philippines, suggesting they view conflict with the United States as possible. Bell is pleased with the measures Roosevelt has taken to be prepared for “any eventuality in the Pacific Ocean,” except for Roosevelt’s suggestion of immediately abandoning Manila if Japan attacks. Bell notes it is a very serious thing to abandon a capital, and very difficult to pack up the archives and records of a government. Bell recommends fortifying the entrance to the Bay of Manila to dissuade the Japanese from taking the islands.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-07-18

Creator(s)

Bell, James Franklin, 1856-1919

Russia, Japan, and ourselves

Russia, Japan, and ourselves

Charles Assheton Whately Pownall reviews the situation in Asia that led to the current war between Russia and Japan. Both powers are interested in seizing territory in China, which is hardly able to defend itself from the attacks from either side. Since being chastised earlier for trying to seize territory Japan has improved its naval strength and wishes to get revenge for the slight of Russia seizing Port Arthur, which Japan wanted for itself. Pownall muses about the relative weakness of Russia, because while it has a large army, the troops themselves are not necessarily cohesive because of all the different nationalities in the Russian Empire, and it will be difficult to reinforce the army in the Eastern part of Russia. Japan has also made treaties with various powers, giving it allies against Russia. Pownall believes that it is important that neither Russia nor Japan are able to gain a monopoly on trade with China.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-03

Creator(s)

Pownall, Charles Assheton Whately, 1848-1920

Keep up the fight for Americanism

Keep up the fight for Americanism

Sepia-tone print of Theodore Roosevelt portrait with “Keep Up the Fight for Americanism” printed below. Also includes quote from Roosevelt read on January 5, 1919. Print was “Distributed by the Women’s National Committee of the American Defense Society … Proceeds for the Roosevelt Memorial Fund …[of the ADS].”

Collection

Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site

Creation Date

1919

Creator(s)

Unknown