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Ambassador George von Lengerke Meyer updates President Roosevelt on the difficulties he has encountered trying to obtain Russia’s commitment to peace negotiations with Japan.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-06-18
Late last night, Ambassador Meyer received a letter from Minister Lamzdorf informing him of Emperor Nicholas II’s decision to accept President Roosevelt’s invitation for peace talks with Japan. Meyer has had some frustrating and heated discussions with Lamzdorf and has had to threaten to take matters to the Emperor himself. Lamzdorf is eager to know who the Japanese plan to appoint as plenipotentiaries, so that Russia can choose its best representatives. Meyer hopes that Russia does not appoint Ambassador Nelidov who he considers to be “too old and nervous.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-06-18
George von Lengerke Meyer informs Secretary of State Hay that he has followed Hay’s instructions and is waiting for a reply from Ambassador Arthur Paul Nicholas Cassini. Meyer is also waiting to hear back from Emperor Nicholas II about a cable Hay sent to the czar.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-06-17
A possible hitch in the negotiations occurred on June 11, when a representative of the Associated Press said that he feared there was bad faith on the part of Russia. This was due to a telegram sent out by Reuters saying that while Japan would nominate plenipotentiaries, Russia would only name representatives. The Reuters agent claimed to hear that information at the Foreign Office. The issue had not been raised by Tsar Nicholas II or Count Lamzdorf, and Meyer had received a formal acceptance that morning from Russia that used the word plenipotentiary.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-06-16
Ambassador Meyer was able to obtain an audience with Emperor Nicholas II. They discussed President Roosevelt’s propositions for peace. Nicholas II agreed to the propositions. He said that it was important that the meeting of the plenipotentiaries take place before Saghalien was attacked or occupied. Nicholas II hopes to see the old friendship between the United States and Russia renewed.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-06-16
Ambassador Meyer sends Secretary of State Hay a copy of the French text and a translation of Russia’s official note of acceptance to President Roosevelt’s invitation for the plenipotentiaries of Russia and Japan to meet to negotiate an end to the Russo-Japanese War. Count Lamzdorf has approved the translation.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-06-16
Count Lamzdorf informs Count Cassini that the Imperial Russian government does not object to The Hague as a meeting place for plenipotentiaries. The Russian Emperor will appoint people of high rank who have his confidence to be the delegates.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-06-14
John Callan O’Laughlin delivered a copy of President Roosevelt’s instruction to Ambassador Cassini. Cassini has some doubts about the statement of the Russian government that negotiations cannot take place until the conditions of Japan are known. To this end, Cassini wishes to be furnished with a copy of Ambassador Meyer’s interview with Emperor Nicholas II.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-06-10
Emperor William II believes that peace should be made between Russia and Japan, and that President Roosevelt is the best person to help accomplish that. Ambassador Tower encloses a copy of the note that William II sent to him, in order that Roosevelt can gain a better understanding of his purpose. William II sees a continuation of the war as being hopeless for Russia as the people are against it and may try to assassinate Emperor Nicholas II.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-06-09
John Callan O’Laughlin informs President Roosevelt that Ambassador Cassini has received no communication from Russia. Cassini stated that if he were able to see Ambassador Meyer’s report of his conversation with Czar Nicholas II to ascertain whether Russia wanted peace and if Roosevelt was encouraging Japan to be “moderate,” he would recommend a peace conference. O’Laughlin passed along Roosevelt’s perspective that Russia was defeated on land and sea and that must be kept in mind during negotiations.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-06-09
Ambassador Meyer writes to President Roosevelt, relaying details of his meeting with Czar Nicholas II to discuss Roosevelt’s desire to encourage peace negotiations between Japan and Russia. The czar made an exception for Meyer and entertained him on the empress’s birthday. Meyer reports that although Czar Nicholas was initially resistant to the idea, he acquiesced as long as Japan would not be aware of Russia’s cooperation initially.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-06-09
George von Lengerke Meyer has informed the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Japan’s consent. Meyer will express to Emperor Nicholas II, by letter, President Roosevelt’s thanks for his expressions of good will.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-06-09
Ambassador Meyer writes to President Roosevelt how Meyer personally delivered Roosevelt’s proposition for a meeting between Japan and Russia to negotiate peace to Emperor Nicholas. Meyer outlines his efforts to convince the Emperor that negotiations were necessary, which the Emperor accepted.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-06-09
John Callan O’Laughlin relays a conversation with Arthur Cassini to President Roosevelt. Cassini is not aware of what was said between Czar Nicholas II and Ambassador Meyer. Cassini was pleased that Roosevelt was encouraging Japan to be cooperative. He was also intrigued by the idea of land being exchanged rather than money. All communications from Roosevelt will be kept confidential.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-06-08
Emperor Meiji is convinced that his people do not desire peace at any price and would support him in continuing the war rather than have him come to terms that may be dishonorable. The Emperor is willing to meet with the Russians and President Roosevelt to discuss peace terms. This must be kept absolutely secret and Roosevelt must take the initiative in obtaining the consent of the Japanese government. Czar Nicholas II’s answer and agreement to such a meeting must be kept secret until Japan agrees. Roosevelt will openly ask both powers to a meeting. Meiji urges that consent be obtained from the Japanese government as soon as possible.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-06-07
Ambassador Meyer reports that Russian Emperor Nicholas II is in favor of continuing the war with Japan. While the general sentiment of others favors peace, there is unanimous agreement that a continuation of war is preferable to paying a large sum in reparations. Meyer recounts accusations of corruption by the Navy Department who reportedly passed on purchasing superior warships as there would be “no commission for certain Russian individuals.” Meyer has had no response to his letters to Secretary of State Hay regarding trade with Russia but feels the matter needs to be addressed urgently if the United states is not to lose out.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-06-05
The note describes a Russian diplomat whose father was Minister Plenipotentiary and he served as Secretary for several years. The note says Nicolas II overcame mental and physical illness to have a mistress and two children.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-01-28
John Hay sends Theodore Roosevelt part of a letter from Harry White that gives information about German relations and the Russian Emperor. White says that German Ambassador Metternich asked for his opinion on whether relations between Germany and the United States had improved. White also reports that the King (apparently the British King) said that “the German Emperor does and thinks exactly what the Russian Emperor thinks,” and that “the Russian Emperor’s refusal of all reforms … may very likely cost him his throne.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-01-10
Cecil Spring Rice explains the political maneuvering he is witnessing in St. Petersburg. Germany has been seeking an alliance with Russia, much to France’s dismay. Germany and France are promising to help Russia defeat Japan. As Japan suffers under a blockade enforced by Russia, the United States and Britain will be unable to prove their support of Japan. Japan will have to acquiesce to Russian demands. Britain and the United States will be excluded from international negotiations and will find themselves increasingly isolated. Spring Rice writes that Kaiser Wilhelm has been working to create a good relationship with Emperor Nicholas II so as to be allowed more influence over Europe. The two rulers seem to be preparing to support each other in efforts to quell internal revolutions, too. Spring Rice disparages Ambassador McCormick’s abilities to be the representative of the United States in Russia.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-12-07
This poem details the events of President Roosevelt’s life and presidency, calling him “buster in war and buster in peace.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-10-26