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Brander Matthews sends President Roosevelt an article and pamphlet. Matthews admires Roosevelt’s ability to persuade others to “give over fighting” and hopes the president can get some real rest ahead of the “hour of struggle.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-06-11
There are no signs of any hitches in the negotiations. It is assured that Russia and Japan will meet to discuss peace although a location and a date has not been decided on yet.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-06-11
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
The Japanese Minister Takahira thanks President Roosevelt for his “wise and discreet efforts in the interest of peace.” The Japanese government shares his interest and will send a formal reply once Roosevelt’s note is received. Regarding the meeting place for plenipotentiaries, Takahira thinks Cheffoo, China, will be most suitable, as it is not tied to any political centers. Takahira inquires if it is known who will be chosen as the Russian plenipotentiary.
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
Two identical dispatches are being sent to Japan and Russia and then will be made public after both governments receive it. President Roosevelt urges Russia and Japan to open up peace negotiations with each other. Roosevelt suggests that the peace negotiations can be conducted between Russian and Japanese plenipotentiaries without any intermediaries.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-06-08
John Callan O’Laughlin met with Ambassador Cassini and delivered a message from President Roosevelt. Cassini stated that he hopes the United States will urge Japan to be moderate in its peace demands, to which O’Laughlin replied that Roosevelt did “not desire to convey the terms of Japan to Russia or vice versa.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-06-07
Ambassador Meyer informs Secretary of State Hay about the Russian Emperor’s belief that his people prefer war over peace. Meyer mentions that the Emperor agrees with President Roosevelt’s proposition, which is to be kept quiet, and the Emperor wishes for Roosevelt to directly convince Japan to agree for Russian and Japanese plenipotentiaries to meet and discuss peace. Meyer adds that the Emperor hopes for these events to happen soon before any attacks take place.
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
Emperor William II fears that when news of the annihilation of the Russian fleet in the Korean Straits reaches Saint Petersburg, there will be “grave disorder” and possibly revolution and attempts on the life of Emperor Nicholas II. William II has written to advise Emperor Nicholas II to open peace negotiations with Japan and to get a message to President Roosevelt for assistance.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-06-04
Theophile Delcasse is working hard to establish peace but is stymied by the resistance of Emperor Nicholas II. The Emperor would like to lessen French and British influence in the Far East and is anxious that President Roosevelt be the one to secure peace.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-05-19
Enclosed is a copy of the dispatch from Minister Conger which reports that Prince Ching Yikuang and Viceroy Shih-kai expressed a strong desire that the United States take an important part in the negotiations for peace between Japan and Russia.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-05-19
Ambassador Meyer encloses a translation of a Russian newspaper article concerning the question of peace or war between Russia and Japan. Meyer summarizes other articles concerning the growth of British and German navies.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-05-10
Ambassador White was received very cordially by King Victor Emmanuel III, and White impressed on the King President Roosevelt’s desire to push for peace between Russia and Japan. After failing to get Roosevelt’s support, German Emperor William II attempted to get Italy and Spain to support him against France, in regards to Morocco, but these plans came to naught. White reports that there is a great increase in school attendance in the Italian southern states by both children and adults who are afraid they will not be allowed to enter America if they are unable to read. White visited with Secretary of State John Hay and found him much rested, and also met with the new Russian ambassador, Nicholas Mouravieff, who said that he believes that Russia will have a form of representative government soon.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-05-06
This article discusses President Roosevelt’s and Mayor Edward F. Dunne’s responses to the strike in Chicago. Dunne noted that the strike had lessened and that he supports Roosevelt, who visited Chicago and addressed labor leaders. In speaking to the labor leaders, Roosevelt reiterated Dunne’s call for peace.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-05-11
Ambassador Griscom sends Secretary of State Hay a translation from a Japanese newspaper that shows the opinion of “a portion of the Japanese public” regarding peace negotiations.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-04-14
John Callan O’Laughlin reports on the movements of Russian admiral Zinoviĭ Petrovich Rozhestvenskiĭ’s fleet in the China Sea. He believes that these movements show that Russia is not yet ready to take the first steps toward peace with Japan. Russian Ambassador Arthur Paul Nicholas Cassini has also stated that currently there is not a chance for peace.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-04-09