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President Roosevelt believes that the enclosures from German ambassador Hermann Speck von Sternburg prove that the United States would be unwise to not to make preparations for a potential war in the Pacific with Japan. The documents, which he is sending to Secretary of State Root, show that Japan believes it could gain naval supremacy in the event of war.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-04-17
President Roosevelt is glad to have received Arthur Hamilton Lee’s letter. He does not need a rest and would rather stay in the fight, but a leader must understand those he serves and maintain their belief in his honesty. He has had to fight against both the mob mentality of the poor and the overwhelming wealth and greed of the powerful. Though his course of action did not cause the panic, it may have hurried its occurrence, and the press, mostly controlled by Wall Street, could sway the public toward William Randolph Hearst or William Jennings Bryan. Roosevelt continues striving to “keep the left center together.” There will likely not be any issue with Great Britain, and while issue could arise with Japan, the Pacific states, Australia, and British Columbia feel the same as the United States does. Roosevelt asks Lee to give an introduction to Fülöp Laszlo, the painter, to see if there will he time to have a portrait painted, as Lee requested.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-12-26
President Roosevelt sends Secretary of the Navy Metcalf compliments about Commander Andrew Theodore Long, who had recently left his post as captain of the presidential yacht USS Mayflower and asks that Long’s good work be reflected in his record. Long was set to serve as Executive Officer on the battleship USS Illinois, which Roosevelt misidentifies as the USS Iowa, as part of the movement of the Great White Fleet.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-11-19
Alabama Representative Hobson rebukes President Roosevelt for accusing him of misquoting him to the press. Hobson claims the statement made by Roosevelt regarding battleships was not to him, but to Representative James E. Watson in Hobson’s presence. Further, Hobson claims that Roosevelt never bound Hobson to confidentiality. Hobson goes on to say that the “country is drifting on a strong current setting direct toward war,” for which it is unprepared due to apathy in Congress, and that not informing the American people of the danger is tantamount to treason. Hobson concludes that the personal relationship between him and Roosevelt must certainly end, because he feels “unutterable scorn and loathing” for Roosevelt.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-08-01
Secretary of War Taft returns a letter from General Leonard Wood to President Roosevelt. He comments on some aspects of Wood’s character that he feels that the letter illustrates, as well as some of Wood’s observations about the state of the Philippines. Taft thinks that Wood is correct regarding the necessity of completing fortifications in the Philippines, and agrees with the desirability in keeping the United States’ fleet in the Pacific, but realizes that it may be impractical. He thinks that Wood is perhaps overly suspicious of the Japanese.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-03-10
Admiral Dewey notifies Secretary of War Taft of the resolutions of the Joint Board pertaining to the question of whether the battle fleet should be retained in the Pacific Ocean pending the completion of coastal defenses in the region.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-02-21
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
New York State Senator Brown praises President Roosevelt for the job he has done as President. Specifically he mentions the appointment of Attorney General Knox to a seat in the Senate and the speeches Roosevelt recently gave in the Pacific.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-06-11