Peace

Telegram from Rudolph Forster to William Loeb

Assistant Secretary of State Forster writes to William Loeb about a message he received from Ambassador George von Lengerke Meyer, who discusses President Roosevelt’s plans to announce the plenipotentiary nominations. Meyer mentions that he expects more information about the delegates from Foreign Minister Lamzdorf, and he goes on to share Lamzdorf’s opinion about the plans for an armistice.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-07-02

Telegram from George von Lengerke Meyer to Francis B. Loomis

President Roosevelt will announce on Monday the appointment of the plenipotentiaries by name, stating that they would have full powers to negotiate and conclude a treaty of peace, subject to ratification by the home governments. This action is fully approved by Count Lamzdorf. An armistice is the next step now that the plenipotentiaries, place, and time of meeting have been named.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-07-02

Telegram from William Loeb to Rudolph Forster

William Loeb writes to Assistant Secretary of State Forster with a message for him to deliver to Japanese Minister Kogoro Takahira. President Roosevelt explains the situation regarding Russian plenipotentiaries. Russia has agreed to move the peace talks to Washington, D.C., from the Hague, Netherlands. Roosevelt believes that Russia indeed intends to make peace with Japan and he feels it would be best to grant an armistice if one is requested.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-07-02

Letter from Herbert H. D. Peirce to Theodore Roosevelt

Acting Secretary of State Peirce informs President Roosevelt that he has contacted Japanese Minister Kogoro Takahira and shared with him the Russian plenipotentiaries’ names, which had been revealed in a telegram from Ambassador George von Lengerke Meyer. Takahira responded positively to this message.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-07-01

Letter from Kogoro Takahira to Theodore Roosevelt

Ambassador Takahira is very pleased that “through the most attentive and appropriate measures” taken by President Roosevelt, peace between Russia and Japan has made favorable progress. Takahira was shocked to hear of the death of John Hay and sends his condolences “for the great loss the United States has sustained.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-07-01

Telegram from Rudolph Forster to William Loeb

Rudolph Forster forwards a message for President Roosevelt to William Loeb. Japan appreciates Roosevelt’s efforts to secure peace between Japan and Russia. Baron Jutarō Komura will travel to the United States to undertake the negotiations.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-06-30

Letter from Baron Kogoro Takahira to Theodore Roosevelt

The Japanese Imperial Government appreciates the successful effort of President Roosevelt to obtain assurance from Russia that their plenipotentiaries will be granted full powers to negotiate and conclude peace. The government also has no objection to Roosevelt announcing the plenipotentiaries of both Russia and Japan next Monday.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-06-30

Telegram from William Loeb to Ruldoph Forster

William Loeb wishes the following dispatch from President Roosevelt to be delivered to Ambassador Jusserand: “If a conference is held and any differences of opinion should arise between France and Germany, Germany will be ready to back up the decision that is considered most fair and practical.” The emperor would like to prove that what Roosevelt has done is in the interest of peace.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-06-30

Telegram from George von Lengerke Meyer to John Hay

Emperor Nicholas II has appointed N. V. Murav’ev as first plenipotentiary in place of Alexander Ivanovitch Nelidov and Roman Romanovich Rosen as second plenipotentiary. The Imperial Government reserves the right to appoint special delegates for the examination of special questions that occur during the course of negotiations.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-06-30

Letter from John Callan O’Laughlin to Theodore Roosevelt

John Callan O’Laughlin writes to President Roosevelt regarding the recent mutiny on the Russian battleship Kniaz Potemkin. Count Cassini spoke to O’Laughlin confidentially about his concerns over the loyalty of the army and artillery. O’Laughlin also discusses relations between Japan and Russia and the possible upcoming peace talks.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-06-29

Letter from George von Lengerke Meyer to John Hay

Ambassador Meyer writes to Secretary of State Hay, forwarding a letter from the Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Count V. N. Lamzdorf. Lamzdorf would like President Roosevelt to learn information regarding the Japanese plenipotentiaries for the peace conference. Meyer thinks it would be best for both Japan and Russia to send Roosevelt the names of their plenipotentiaries so they could be announced at the same time. The countries would then have the opportunity to choose new individuals if necessary.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-06-29

Telegram from George von Lengerke Meyer to William Loeb

Russian Ambassador to France de Nelidoff may not be able to serve due to ill health. If de Nelidoff is unable to serve, a successor of equal importance will be appointed to serve as first plenipotentiary and they intend to choose Baron Roman Romanovich Rosen. George von Lengerke Meyer has alerted Foreign Minister Lamzdorf to President Roosevelt’s desire about the role of the plenipotentiaries in the peace treaty.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-06-29

Telegram to William Loeb

Ambassador Takahira has received telegrams from the Japanese government expressing their gratitude for President Roosevelt’s actions in the pursuit of peace. The Japanese government hopes that the Russian plenipotentiaries will be granted full authorization to “negotiate and conclude the terms of peace.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-06-28

Telegram from George von Lengerke Meyer to John Hay

Count Lamzdorf has informed Ambassador George von Lengerke Meyer that Alexander Ivanovitch Nelidov may not be able to serve on account of ill health. If Nelidov is unable to serve, the emperor will appoint a successor of equal importance. It is their intention to have Roman Romanovich Rosen serve as a Russian plenipotentiary. Lamzdorf’s attention has been called to the fact that the representatives are named as plenipotentiaries to negotiate and conclude a peace treaty with Japan.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-06-28

Telegram from George von Lengerke Meyer to John Hay

The Emperor agrees to the meeting between the Russian and Japanese plenipotentiaries, but believes the date is too distant.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-06-26

Telegram from George von Lengerke Meyer to Alvey A. Adee

Ambassador Meyer informs Assistant Secretary of State Adee that V. N. Lamsdorff acknowledges his receipt of Meyer’s instructions. The Emperor has authorized Lamsdorff to inform Meyer and President Roosevelt that the “Czar proposes appointing as first Russian plenipotentiary for coming negotiations.” Meyer states that President Roosevelt can forward the names of the Japanese plenipotentiaries to the Russian Government.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-06-25

Telegram from George von Lengerke Meyer to John Hay

Both Russia and Japan seem to be hesitating on the appointment of plenipotentiaries until they know the other’s appointments. To surmount this obstacle, George von Lengerke Meyer suggests that Russia sends the name of their potential plenipotentiaries to President Roosevelt, which would be kept secret until Japan did the same. Each country would have the right to change their appointments after the plenipotentiaries were announced.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-06-23

Telegram from George von Lengerke Meyer to John Hay

Ambassador Meyer writes to Secretary of State Hay regarding the selection of plenipotentiaries in the peace negotiations between Russia and Japan.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-06-23

Telegram from George von Lengerke Meyer to John Hay

George von Lengerke Meyer writes to Secretary of State Hay about a letter Meyer received from Russian Foreign Minister V. N. Lamzdorf. In the letter, Lamzdorf points out that the Imperial Government would like President Roosevelt to find out Japan’s viewpoint on an armistice and Japan’s plans for appointing plenipotentiaries. Meyer goes on to express his idea that both Japan and Russia should give their plenipotentiary nominations to Roosevelt, who will then share the nominations with each country’s ambassadors.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-06-23

Statement of Japan’s terms of peace

Statement listing thirteen items Japan demands from Russia as terms of peace, including indemnity.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-06