Revolution

David E. Thompson, United States Ambassador to Mexico, writes to President Roosevelt about his suspicions that Edward Henry Harriman was involved in the Guatemalan revolution of the previous year. Two days before, Thompson met with exiled Guatemalan General Manuel L. Barillas who implicated Harriman in the revolution. The following day, Barillas was assassinated. President Porfirio Díaz of Mexico has told Thompson in confidence that he is certain Barillas was assassinated on orders from Guatemalan President Manuel Estrada Cabrera.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-04-08

Creator(s)

Thompson, David E. (David Eugene), 1854-1942

Frank Arthur Putnam writes a poem that depicts the American Revolution and the Civil War and states the time has come to rise against today’s despots, which are the supremely wealthy. Putnam calls for a peaceful revolution that will change the United States from representative government to full democracy and offers solutions for how to accomplish this task. Ernest McGaffey writes a letter to Putnam that states revolution will not occur in the near future because the people are not suffering enough. McGaffey includes a poem with his letter.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-06

Creator(s)

Putnam, Frank Arthur, 1868-1949

This document contains translated excerpts from eleven French and one Italian newspapers commenting on President Roosevelt’s letter to the French poet, Frédéric Mistral, and Roosevelt’s published speech, “The Strenuous Life.” The excerpts compare the different situations of the “young” United States establishing their own traditions, while “old” France is breaking down their traditions. Roosevelt is also compared to President Emile Loubet of France. The translated articles range in date from January 31, 1905, to February 9, 1905, and were compiled on February 13, 1905.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-02-13

Creator(s)

Unknown

Ambassador Meyer writes President Roosevelt about the Russo-Japanese War. Meyer describes Stanley Washburn’s report of dwindling American sympathies with the Japanese. Washburn does not believe the Japanese army will ever beat the Russian army in Manchuria. Meyer mentions his interactions with Camille Barrère, the French Ambassador, and his indication that French and German banks are beginning to side with Russia. Meyer also relates an interaction he had with the Japanese minister, in which the minister stated he was interested in Roosevelt’s thoughts on Manchuria and Japan’s control of Port Arthur.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-01-20

Creator(s)

Meyer, George von Lengerke, 1858-1918

W. T. Stead relays the history of Russian Emperor Nicholas II’s reign up to this point, and asserts that his unpopularity with his people and inability to act rests on the bureaucracy built up by his ministers. Stead believes that Nicholas will be “emancipated” from the limits of autocracy and bureaucracy by the upcoming election of the Duma. When the Tsar and Duma meet, Stead predicts that they will be able to work well together.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-10-12

Creator(s)

Stead, W. T. (William Thomas), 1849-1912

People cling to a large rock in a stormy sea. Some are royalty and some are terrorists. In a flash of lightning in the background appears the word “Revolt.”

comments and context

Collection

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

Creation Date

1905-11-29

President Roosevelt was very touched by the letter from Grafton D. Cushing, and feels just as he does. Many people in Roosevelt and Cushing’s social circles do not realize the fervor with which many Americans demand a change in the social order. If progress is not made under reasonable leadership, there is a risk of approaching revolution or tyranny, as occurred in France during the French Revolution. Likewise, if leadership is given to radicals like William Jennings Bryan or Eugene V. Debs, Roosevelt thinks that they will try to enact impossible programs and fail, leading once again to revolution. Roosevelt agrees with Cushing’s statement that the government must be concerned with the primacy of justice and the equality of opportunity.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-02-27

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

President Roosevelt thanks Senator Lodge for the letter informing him and his wife about their son, Ted, who does not write home often enough. Roosevelt wrote to Ted an “earnest and truthful” letter about his “folly.” Roosevelt also informs Lodge of the meeting in Cuba between Secretary of War William H. Taft, First Assistant Secretary of State Robert Bacon, and Cuban President Tomas Estrada Palma. The temporary agreement for a provisional government with military support from the United States will help secure peace while Cuba begins self-government. Roosevelt hopes this will secure Cuba’s liberty, and any future policy will be in the “permanent interests of both Cuba and the United States.” Roosevelt also has acted to “prevent hurt” to the Republican nominees in the upcoming state elections, particularly in New York, and New York City. Wealthy business men, like William Randolph Hearst, and “Bourbon reactionaries” are running for office to gain political power, not for the “have-nots,” but to deflect regulations on their wealth. Roosevelt believes Charles Evans Hughes is the right man to run against Hearst for governor, as he will enact progressive reforms with a fair mind.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-10-01

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

President Roosevelt relays to General Dodge his stance on the recent actions taken by Secretary of War William H. Taft during his visit to Cuba. Roosevelt states he did not send Taft to Cuba until Cuban President Tomás Estrada Palma’s choice to resign was clear. Although Sir William Cornelius Van Horne and Mr. Menduley believe military control of Cuba is possible, Van Horne also states that “the Island is perfectly adapted to guerrilla warfare and…ten men to one would be required to suppress the insurrection and a great many lives would be lost doing it.” Roosevelt agrees that the cost of life is too great for the United States to hold Cuba by military force. Influential members of the Foreign Affairs Committee, Senator Joseph Benson Foraker, Senator Eugene Hale, and Senator Henry Cabot Lodge also believe in resisting more conflict and believe it is in best interest to “let the Cubans govern themselves.” However, Roosevelt believes the possibility of continued unrest in Cuba could sway public opinion and bring congressional support for future intervention from the United States.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-10-01

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

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.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-07-27

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

President Roosevelt rejects the argument that Panama declaring independence from Colombia is a similar situation to the secession of Southern states before the American Civil War. Roosevelt believes that Colombia acted in bad faith during the treaty negotiations and ratification. As such, the United States owes nothing to Colombia “in law or in morals.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-11-30

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

President Roosevelt denies inciting a revolution or any form of conspiracy on the Isthmus. The people of the Isthmus favor the canal and separation from Colombia and Colombia’s bad faith on the signing of the treaty was their death warrant.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-11-06

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Charles F. Ilkenhaus suggests that, in order to deal with the problems of trusts and corporations on one hand and labor on the other, the United States should become a monarchy with Theodore Roosevelt as its first king. He feels that a constitution modeled on England’s would be the best way to accomplish this, and believes Roosevelt is especially well suited to carrying out this change because of his relationship with “those western warriors and gun men who would be needed to accomplish the needed change.” Ilkenhaus thinks that Roosevelt’s popularity would rally significant support for this, and places himself at Roosevelt’s disposal.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-03-06

Creator(s)

Ilkenhaus, Charles F.

Secretary of War Taft sends a telegram to President Roosevelt detailing political factionalism in Havana, Cuba. Taft reports that the two parties could not agree and that the moderate faction may “stir up a counter revolution.” The party is delaying the resignation of the President as long as possible, which Taft will allow as long as there are not two insurrections simultaneously.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-09-28

Creator(s)

Taft, William H. (William Howard), 1857-1930

Secretary of War Taft informs President Roosevelt in an encrypted telegram that President Tomás Estrada Palma of Cuba will not compromise with his political opponents to remain in office because his honor will not allow him to do so. Taft believes that Estrada Palma wants armed intervention by the United States. Taft also writes that he is concerned about who will replace Estrada Palma since Taft does not find Vice President Domingo Méndez Capote to inspire confidence in his ability to lead the country. Taft still holds out hope that the rebels will lay down their arms, but argues for more ships and troops.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-09-25

Creator(s)

Taft, William H. (William Howard), 1857-1930

George von Lengerke Meyer recounts a series of telegrams sent back and forth regarding his requesting permission to take an after-cure in the mountains to help with his illness. If needed, he will return immediately; otherwise he will remain in Russia until Roosevelt calls on him. Meyer likens Russian’s prejudices against Jews to that of Benjamin R. Tillman’s views on the rights of African Americans. He thinks the next Duma will be radical and that the current quiet in Russia might not last.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-09-21

Creator(s)

Meyer, George von Lengerke, 1858-1918

Assistant Secretary of State Adee informs chargé d’affairs to Cuba Sleeper about a telegram stating Cuban insurgents disarmed guards and took horses from the Trinidad Sugar Company. Adee directs Sleeper to alert the Cuban government and to extend protection to the company.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-08-31

Creator(s)

Adee, Alvey A. (Alvey Augustus), 1842-1924

Consul Johnson writes to the Department of State requesting that they send him a vessel soon.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-07-13

Creator(s)

Johnson, Felix S., 1869-1927

Ambassador Meyer writes to President Roosevelt comparing the situation in Russia to events in France during the French Revolution. Meyer goes into detail about the current political crisis in Russia, mentioning the need for reform, the need for improved conditions for the military, and the public opinion of the czar. Meyer describes the shutting down of newspaper offices, the imprisonment of editors, and strikes that could take place. He suggests that an American military attache could be of great help to him, as communication and media in St. Petersburg are not reliable.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-12-20

Creator(s)

Meyer, George von Lengerke, 1858-1918

Oscar S. Straus writes to President Roosevelt to discuss his opinion of Count Sergei Vitte, the Hague Conference, and naturalization issues between Hungary and Armenia.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-09-12

Creator(s)

Straus, Oscar S. (Oscar Solomon), 1850-1926