Your TR Source
J. Bernard Walker, editor of Scientific American, sends Theodore Roosevelt an advanced copy of the periodical’s naval edition.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-12-06
A. T. Mahan thanks Theodore Roosevelt for the letter and information therein. He would have liked to discuss the matter in person, but is entirely occupied by reviewing galleys and page proofs. Mahan wonders if Roosevelt ever feels the same way he does, in that the development of the navy and fortification of the Panama Canal seems only to be half completed, “and therefore perhaps worse than not done at all.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-07-01
Claude H. Wetmore explains to Theodore Roosevelt that he is writing a children’s book on the American Navy. However, caring for his family prevents him from working on it and he asks Roosevelt to loan him $300 with the plan to repay the loan in ten dollar weekly installment. Wetmore also assures Roosevelt that a publisher has already given advanced assurance of publication.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-04-27
Secretary of the Navy Meyer sends Theodore Roosevelt material for the article on Admiral Charles S. Sperry for The Outlook and an article about naval defense in the Pacific. He comments on how tedious Roosevelt’s Western trip must have been.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-04-22
Secretary of the Navy Meyer tells Theodore Roosevelt what he and Senator Henry Cabot Lodge did after Roosevelt left following William H. Taft’s inauguration. Meyer signed papers reversing an order that former Secretary of the Navy Truman Handy Newberry had Roosevelt sign. He explains his reasoning; mainly, the Senators from Louisiana were unhappy with it, and Meyer believes he can carry out most of what was in the order without an Executive Order being issued.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1909-03-08
Arthur Hamilton Lee remarks that President Roosevelt’s speech about the English in India came at a critical time for England’s Indian policy and would like a copy of the speech. There have been “agitators” slandering England’s Indian policy. Lee requests Roosevelt’s opinion on Britain’s Two Power Standard of Naval Strength as it applies to excluding the United States. As a distant observer, Lee has been following Roosevelt’s conflict with Congress and believes that the Times correspondents have done “a world of good” with their “excellent dispatches” keeping Roosevelt’s viewpoint before the public. Lee looks forward to Roosevelt’s visit after his trip to Africa.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1909-01-29
John Callan O’Laughlin reports that the Aoki agreement which Japan wishes to enter into with the United States declares the Pacific Ocean an “international highway” and disavows Japan’s designs on the Philippines. O’Laughlin relays to President Roosevelt a conversation he had with Japanese Premier Tarō Katsura. In the conversation, they reviewed the history of relations between the United States and Japan. Katsura assured O’Laughlin of his respect for Roosevelt and the United States, and the desire that Japan and the United States remain friendly. Despite reports from Europe, Katsura denies that Japan is preparing for war.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-10-20
Senator Lodge encloses an article from the Boston Globe which gives an account of a speech he gave advocating for the Navy. He also encloses a second article which he says misrepresents his speech. That article reports that Secretary of the Navy Victor Howard Metcalf denounced Lodge’s views. Lodge also complains about the speeches that Comptroller of the Currency Lawrence O. Murray has been making, which are spreading unnecessary fear and helping William Jennings Bryan’s argument about national banks.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-10-14
The memorandum outlines three plans for the course the Atlantic Fleet should take on the way to carrying out fall target practice in Manila Bay in November. A handwritten note states that Plan B was approved.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-04-27
First Assistant Secretary of State Bacon has heard that it would be satisfactory for only half the Atlantic Fleet to visit China. This allows Plan A to be ruled out. An attached note states that this meets Secretary of State Elihu Root’s approval.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-04-27
Secretary of the Navy Metcalf writes President Roosevelt about several matters. First, he addresses reports about the water line of the armor belts on existing battleships and responds to suggestions that the belts should be raised. Citing reports by Admiral Robley D. Evans, who is sailing to the Pacific with the Atlantic Fleet, Metcalf does not recommend this. In fact, he believes lowered would be better. Metcalf also informs Roosevelt of plans to modify turret ammunition hoists. Finally, Metcalf says he does not support a plan to appoint a line officer Assistant Secretary of the Navy.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-04-07
Albert L. Key makes recommendations regarding the administrative structure of the Navy Department. He compares and contrasts the management of the department with the management and authority structure on a naval vessel, and recommends that the Assistant Secretary of the Navy be a line officer who has legal responsibility for supervising and coordinating the subordinate bureaus.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-03-27
Albert L. Key sends President Roosevelt a copy of his written statement and printed testimony given before the Senate Committee. He wants Roosevelt to know that he is not an “irresponsible agitator,” that he advocated for moving the naval base from Subic to Manila, and that he is not responsible for the criticism of the Navy and naval vessels in the press. His investigation into the Navy was done independently, and his report and recommendations are based on facts.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-03-22
Ambassador Reid updates President Roosevelt about the recent turmoil in Great Britain surrounding an exchange of letters between Edward Marjoribanks, Baron Tweedmouth, and Emperor William II of Germany. The Emperor wrote privately to Lord Tweedmouth, and in passing mentioned the British Navy. News of this mention spread to the press, who seized upon news of the letter to blow the incident out of proportion and make it seem as if Germany were trying to influence British naval policy. Reid sends a selection of newspaper clippings following the development of the issue in the press. Additionally, Reid reports that Henry Campbell-Bannerman’s condition is not improving, and it appears that H. H. Asquith will be his successor as Prime Minister.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-03-10
The memorandum to Secretary of War Taft raises the question of how long the battle fleet will stay in the Pacific. The memorandum advocates a permanent naval presence in the region. First, because coastal defenses on the Pacific Coast are not adequate to defend against an attack. Second, because of the location of Hawaii and the Philippines, far from home ports and close to enemy ports. Third, because Hawaii can serve as a strategic naval base and needs battle fleet protection to be effective. Fourth, because the United States lacks adequate land forces to guard the coast. A page of addenda shows Taft acknowledging the memo and wishing to confer with President Roosevelt, and Roosevelt’s subsequent assessment that he will consider the Joint Army and Navy Board’s opinion on the matter, but does not wish to divide the battle fleet between two oceans.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-02-07
Ambassador Tower relays to President Roosevelt a private conversation he had with Emperor William II of Germany, who had recently heard reports of Japanese soldiers training and gathering in Mexico, Peru, and Chile. The Emperor believes that the Japanese are preparing to seize the Panama Canal if war is declared. Additionally, reports from Portugal suggest that the Japanese are preparing for war against the United States. He approves of Roosevelt’s decision to send the war fleet out because it has strengthened the position of the United States.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-01-28
Acting Secretary of the Navy Newberry transmits a letter from the President of the General Board and a comparison of the strength of the United States and Japanese navies to President Roosevelt.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-10-30
Lieutenant-Commander Key encloses a copy of the current issue of the “Proceedings of the United States Naval Institute.” Key hopes that President Roosevelt finds the time to read the articles by Commander Stanton, Lieutenant McLean, and Key. The article by Commander Rittenhouse, however, is so “purely academic” that Key does not think it has value. Key has written his article in the hopes of stirring up some interest in his plan regarding the naval committees and the public press. The weaknesses pointed out in the plan are not exaggerated, and Key believes the correction is essential if the United States is to have “an efficient fighting Navy.” He adds that he knows Roosevelt realizes this, but the inaction by Congress is discouraging.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-04-13
Ambassador Meyer writes to President Roosevelt comparing the situation in Russia to events in France during the French Revolution. Meyer goes into detail about the current political crisis in Russia, mentioning the need for reform, the need for improved conditions for the military, and the public opinion of the czar. Meyer describes the shutting down of newspaper offices, the imprisonment of editors, and strikes that could take place. He suggests that an American military attache could be of great help to him, as communication and media in St. Petersburg are not reliable.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-12-20
Former Secretary of the Navy Paul Morton forwards an article to President Roosevelt that he thinks will be of interest, “The Growth of Navies” by James Bryce.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-09-12