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The rulers of Germany, France, Austria, Japan, and John Bull, representing England, watch as the ruler of Russia lights the fuse of a large firecracker labeled “China.”
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs
1900-07-11
Uncle Sam and John Bull stand with six figures showing the attributes of the rulers of Russia (Nicholas II), Germany (William II), Japan (Meiji, Emperor of Japan), Italy (Umberto I), Austria (Franz Joseph I), and France (Emile Loubet), representing the eight nation alliance. They look up at a mountain labeled “Chinese Question” topped with the face of an angry Chinese person.
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs
1900-07-25
Theodore Roosevelt objects to Frederic Bancroft publishing one of Roosevelt’s letters to Carl Schurz, as it would be a discourtesy to Czar Nicholas II. Bancroft may publish the other.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-11-19
President Roosevelt writes his son, Ted, about a variety of matters. He discusses the trouble that Emperor William II of Germany is in with both conservatives and socialists. Last year, he gave a damaging interview to American journalist William Bayard Hale, which Roosevelt intervened to prevent the New York Times from publishing. A portion was published in Century and suppressed by the Germans. Roosevelt reflects on the current state of the liberal and democratic movement, and believes that the situation is not as dire as in the French Revolution, or in 1840s America. He also explains his lukewarm support of women’s suffrage. Finally, Roosevelt offers his son advice on working with the people around him when it is natural, but not pursuing relationships that are merely social in nature.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-11-20
President Roosevelt has read in a Jewish American newspaper that Secretary of War Taft plans to speak with Emperor Nicholas II about the treatment of Russian Jews. Secretary of State Elihu Root does not think this is a wise move, particularly since Russian Foreign Minister Count Aleksandr Petrovich Izvolsky has already formally refused any communications on the matter.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-11-21
President Roosevelt tells George Cabot Lee that “one would have to be the seventh son of a seventh son to prophesy about Russia.” He believes that there is currently a slight chance against a serious revolution happening in the near future, and that if Emperor Nicholas II makes a good-faith effort to work with the moderate party revolution can possibly be avoided.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-07-27
President Roosevelt was glad to read what Senator Washburn wrote about Czar Nicholas II. Roosevelt cautions Washburn about trying to come visit him at Oyster bay, as the trains are not convenient for travel, but invites him to have lunch or dinner with him in Washington, D.C., after Roosevelt returns there.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-07-12
President Roosevelt discusses various aspects of his efforts to make peace between Japan and Russia at length with Cecil Spring Rice. He also discusses the current strained relations between England and Germany, and informs Rice that he does not intend to take on the role of regular peacemaker between other countries. It is necessary for him to focus on the affairs of the United States, rather than trying to keep peace in Europe.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-11-01
President Roosevelt amusedly tells Secretary of State Root about a visit from Russian diplomat Baron Roman Romanovich Rosen, where Rosen stated that Tsar Nicholas II would like to take the lead and get credit for initiating another international peace conference at The Hague. Roosevelt tells Root that he is all too happy to allow Nicholas to lead the effort, as he is concerned that after his activities in recent months, people will start to believe he cares more about altruistic international affairs than domestic ones.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-09-14
President Roosevelt tells First Assistant Secretary of State Loomis about a visit from Russian diplomat Baron Rosen, where Rosen stated that Tsar Nicholas II would like to take the lead and get credit for initiating another international peace conference at The Hague. Roosevelt tells Loomis that he is all too happy to allow Nicholas to lead the effort, as he is concerned that after his activities in recent months, people will start to view him as a “professional peace maker.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-09-16
President Roosevelt tells Carl Schurz that Czar Nicholas II wants to appear to take the initiative for calling the second peace conference at The Hague and would like Roosevelt to allow him to do it. Roosevelt is amused at this turn of events, but happy to allow him to do so, as he wants the conference to be called but does not want the reputation of “professional peacemaker.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-09-18
President Roosevelt reflects on the terms of the peace between Russia and Japan. He believes that each country did the right thing in giving certain concessions to the other side to end the war. Roosevelt ponders the implications of peace for both Russia and Japan, believing Russia will have to move toward self-government, while Japan must deal with riots by its people. In despite of this, Roosevelt admires and respects Japan and sees her entrance into “the circle of great civilized powers” as a good thing overall.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-09-11
President Roosevelt hopes F. V. Greene’s wife will enjoy her brief trip to Europe and wishes Walter W. Warwick will travel to Manila soon. Roosevelt discusses his efforts in bringing about the peace conference to end the Russo-Japanese War and says that although it is a great success and he is being broadly praised, he is sure that by next year, new issues will have arisen, and he will be attacked in the press.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-09-05
President Roosevelt discusses the military prowess of the Roman Empire. He tells German Ambassador Sternburg that he believes that the Japanese government did a poor job of communicating to their people how much they gained in the Treaty of Portsmouth. The Japanese are now rioting because the country did not receive a large indemnity. Roosevelt also tells Sternburg about problems with stockholders, as well as his trip in the submarine Plunger.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-09-06
President Roosevelt sends Ambassador Reid copies of the dispatches he sent to the Japanese government and the Russian Czar. He discusses the implications of a potential Anglo-Japanese alliance.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-09-08
President Roosevelt thanks Prime Minister Sergei Vitte for relaying a message from Tsar Nicholas II, stating Russia will view the United States as equal to other powers as under the “most favored nation” clause. Roosevelt also continues a discussion he had with Vitte about Russia allowing passports to “reputable American citizens of Jewish faith.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-09-10
President Roosevelt sends Cecil Spring Rice the text of two letters that he sent to Kentarō Kaneko, a member of the Japanese delegation in the peace talks to end the Russo-Japanese War. He urged Kaneko and Japan to accept a peace agreement, rather than simply continuing the war in hopes of getting a large sum of money from Russia in the form of an indemnity. Roosevelt believes that without his intervention, Russia and Japan could not have made peace.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-09-01
President Roosevelt sends Senator Lodge the complete texts of various cablegrams he sent and received in his efforts to broker peace between Russia and Japan. He includes cablegrams to and from George von Lengerke Meyer, Ambassador to Russia, to show his role in it, as well as congratulatory notes from Kaiser William II, Tsar Nicholas II of Russia, Emperor Meiji of Japan, and British Ambassador H. Mortimer Durand.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-09-02
President Roosevelt sends Seth Low his final communications with the Japanese government and asks that they be kept strictly confidential and returned after Low has read them. He will show Low what he sent to Czar Nicholas II when he sees him in person.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-09-02
President Roosevelt is curious to hear about his daughter Alice’s experiences in Japan and the Philippines. He tells her about the “pretty vigorous summer” he has had. He goes into great detail about his role in bringing about peace between Russia and Japan. He also provides updates on the activities of the rest of the Roosevelt family.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-09-02