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President Roosevelt thinks Oscar S. Straus’s suggestions regarding the “Armenian matter” are admirable. Roosevelt will call a second conference at The Hague and all questions and requests regarding Armenia will be brought before that conference.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-09-28
Elihu Root has written to President Roosevelt about appointing a member to the commission that is working out a solution to the Venezuela debt crisis. Secretary of State John Hay has reservations about the proposed arrangement. Roosevelt would like Root, Hay, and himself to discuss Charles H. Tweed’s proposition.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-09-07
James Brown Scott acquired a copy of Ordeal by Battle by Frederick Scott Oliver at the recommendation of Theodore Roosevelt. He lays out the case for intervention on the part of the United States in World War I, citing international law established at the Hague Peace Conferences, Germany’s violation of Belgian neutrality, and the history of similar cases such as the 1861 Trent Affair.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-07-27
Given his experience, Maynard N. Clement asks Theodore Roosevelt to write Senator Elihu Root, President Taft, or Secretary of State Philander C. Knox on his behalf to be selected as a delegate to the upcoming International Congress Against Alcoholism. There are shorthand notes on the bottom right corner of the last page.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-04-21
Victor Hugo Duras would like to put himself forward for the secretaryship of the International Peace Commission that will be appointed by President William H. Taft. He asks Theodore Roosevelt to write a letter to Senator Elihu Root on his behalf. Duras also believes that Roosevelt’s future is in international politics and strongly urges him to seek the chairmanship of the commission. He thinks that the commission and development of an international court of justice will strengthen the United States’s international standing.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-02-06
Senator Beveridge hopes that when President Roosevelt names David Jayne Hill as Ambassador to Germany he will assign Henry Lane Wilson to fill Hill’s vacated position as Ambassador to the Netherlands and name Beveridge’s brother-in-law Spencer F. Eddy as Ambassador to Belgium. Beveridge assures Roosevelt that he will approve of Eddy’s work. Beveridge also notes that Eddy’s mother is in poor health and would likely be heartened by the news of such an appointment.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-11-07
Ambassador Reid encloses some news clippings he thought might be of interest to President Roosevelt. Reid is happy to have avoided the recent International Peace Conference at the Hague, which he sees as largely ineffectual for the United States, but perhaps less so for England or Germany.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-10-21
Secretary of State Root understands President Roosevelt’s selection of James Buchanan Aleshire for appointment as Quartermaster General. Root has returned Henry Cabot Lodge’s letter about Harvard’s commencement. Regarding the work of the Hague, Root reports that the armament question will be shelved. The United States delegates to the Hague have asked for instruction on two matters: the form of the contract debt provisions and voting on a declaration of war.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-07-08
Ambassador to Great Britain Reid has received photographs of President Roosevelt show jumping a horse, and will present them to King Edward VII when there are fewer dignitaries in town. Reid is amused by Roosevelt’s remark that he was not sure if his “encounter” with labor leaders and socialists was covered in the English papers – Reid describes the coverage as mostly in Roosevelt’s favor, adding his thoughts on the danger of anarchist ideas infiltrating labor movements in the United States and abroad. Reid discusses the similarity between the conflict between California and Japan and Newfoundland and the United States. Finally, Reid comments on the ongoing talks at the International Peace Conference at the Hague.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-06-07
Joseph Hodges Choate writes that he had a long conversation with the United Kingdom’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Edward Grey. In preparation for the Second Hague Conference, Grey has shared some of his country’s beliefs going into the conference, namely that merchant vessels used to carry weapons or soldiers will be considered war vessels in a time of conflict, and will be treated as such. He wants to abolish the concept of contraband, or barring that make the list of items not considered contraband as large as possible. He wants the British delegates to work closely with the American delegates at the conference.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-06-05
In a letter to an unspecified party, Columbia University President Butler speaks about how organizer of the Association for International Conciliation baron Paul-Henri-Benjamin Balluet Estournelles de Constant has requested Butler’s help organizing public relations in regards to the agency. He states that it is particularly desirable for the American representatives at the upcoming Hague Conference to be able to rely upon “instructed and sympathetic public opinion.” Butler asks for the recipient’s opinion on who should be asked to join a related committee.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-12-05
British Foreign Secretary Grey informs President Roosevelt that Ambassador H. Mortimer Durand will be replaced, and while he understands Roosevelt’s desire to have Arthur Lee in his place, that is politically impossible. Temporarily, Esmé Howard will be sent to Washington as Councillor to the Embassy. Grey appreciated Roosevelt’s explanation of his telegram to German Emperor William after the Portsmouth Peace. Grey explains that his foreign policy is not anti-German, but to be independent he feels it necessary to strengthen the entente with France and come to an agreement with Russia. Grey believes that his generation has had enough of war, and the British people feel a special bond with the United States. Grey hopes the dispute between Canada and the United States over Newfoundland will soon be settled. He also adds that many in Great Britain are upset over reports of slavery and plunder in the Belgian Congo.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-12-04
Senator Estournelles de Constant of France thanks President Theodore Roosevelt for his letter which encouraged him “as the signal of a lighthouse above the fog.” Estournelles de Constant talks of the relationship between France and Germany and, in a postscript, reflects on the impact that the International Peace Conference at the Hague may have on arms limitation.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-10-18
Senator Estournelles de Constant of France finds a letter from President Roosevelt to be “like the signal of a light-house above the fog” when compared to his communications with most European governments. He eagerly anticipates his meeting with Roosevelt in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, next spring. Estournelles de Constant notes the challenges of getting Germany and France to reconcile and predicts “brilliant failure” for the next conference of The Hague if arms limitation cannot be agreed upon.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-10-18
John St. Loe Strachey thanks President Roosevelt for his letter, with which he agrees. Strachey does not understand how people think civil liberties do not need protecting. He worries that autocrats like Napoleon will feed on people’s unwillingness to stand up for what is right. Strachey hopes that they will meet again in October when he visits.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-09-21
Andrew Carnegie agrees with President Roosevelt on disarmament, although he recognizes that it will be difficult to formulate a satisfactory plan. Carnegie says Roosevelt’s declaration that the United States does not seek to increase the present Navy but only to maintain it will be the great force making for agreement. Carnegie criticizes the practice of failing to give previous notice of war before attacking, and presents the “League of Peace” idea as the easiest and best solution. He encourages Roosevelt to be the one to formally propose it, as the United States is the only great power “free from international jealousies.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-08-27
George Gray, federal judge on the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, has just been informed that his appointment will expire on October 11, 1906, and that President Roosevelt has expressed his hope that Gray will serve another six year term. Gray sends his sincere thanks, and he has written to the Department of State to express his willingness to serve. Gray thinks the Court is becoming one of the great defenders of peace and civilization.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-08-03
Ambassador Reid updates President Roosevelt on his recent interactions with the Grocers’ Federation Associations of the United Kingdom. The group requested that Roosevelt send a dispatch clarifying that canned American meat sent to foreign markets has always been carefully inspected, as half a million dollars worth of American tinned meats has become “dead stock” due to the recent agitation. Reid recommended they contact Secretary of Commerce and Labor Victor Howard Metcalf or Secretary of Agriculture James Wilson instead. Reid also mentions a letter he received from Sir Edward Grey expressing support for the proposal of a reduction of armaments in Russia.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-07-31
Ambassador Reid tells President Roosevelt about a recent meeting between William Jennings Bryan and King Edward VII, as well as the general attitude toward Bryan among Englishmen after a series of speeches he gave in London. Reid also mentions that he will be sending a report on a conversation he had with Sir Edward Grey about a notice sent to Russia of England’s desire to have “a reduction of armaments made a subject for the next Hague Conference.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-07-27
Secretary of State Root writes to Ambassador White about upcoming international conferences, including a Hague conference, Red Cross convention, and an American conference at Rio. Root believes that the meeting at the Hague on such short notice is inexpedient and has a high probability of postponement.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-04-06