Russia

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Truman Handy Newberry

President Roosevelt directs Assistant Secretary of the Navy Newberry to return the memorandum to the General Board of the Navy, saying he approves all of it except for the point about dividing the fleet. Naval history and the recent Russo-Japanese War illustrate the dangers of splitting forces to protect multiple strategic points. Roosevelt wants the Atlantic Fleet to remain a singular unit.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-08-06

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Alexander Lambert

President Roosevelt advises Dr. Alexander Lambert that Moriarty may be working for the Russian government, but it cannot involve seeing Roosevelt. If it did, the Russian government would have given him credentials from “the highest authority.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-01-05

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Montgomery Schuyler

President Roosevelt tells Montgomery Schuyler that his son Montgomery Schuyler Jr. won his promotion on his own merits, just like Ambassador John Wallace Riddle has recently done. Roosevelt notes that they wanted the best men possible serving in Russia. He also notes that Schuyler’s book has not yet arrived, but that he is looking forward to reading it.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-12-22

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Edward Grey

President Roosevelt tells British Ambassador to the United States Grey that Rennel Rodd was offered a position interacting with the US government, but turned it down. Roosevelt contrasts the attitudes and relations of a number of different countries with America and England, and takes a specific focus on Japan. Roosevelt notes that Japan has continued preparing for war over the last decade, and writes that there will be industrial competition between Japan and European countries. He also wonders if they are planning on invading America, Germany, or the Philippines. Roosevelt wants the United States and Japan to sign a treaty stating they will keep their citizens out of each other’s labor markets. Roosevelt closes by remarking on the similarities in governmental thinking and military approach between the United States and England.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-12-19

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Horace G. Knowles

President Roosevelt tells Horace G. Knowles that the positions in Mexico and Belgium have been acceptably filled, and that Senator J. Frank Allee should already know this fact. Roosevelt is working on securing a European post for Knowles, and will probably be able to offer a post in Romania soon.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-12-17

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Hermann Speck von Sternburg

President Roosevelt supports the Monroe Doctrine and wants South America to “develop on its own lines, with an open door to all outside nations.” He wishes that the same policy could be applied to China. Roosevelt is saddened by England’s military “decay” and wonders if the Franco-Russian alliance will be permanent.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1901-10-11

Letter from Henry Cabot Lodge to Theodore Roosevelt

Senator Lodge has read Theodore Roosevelt’s article on arbitration under the Russian treaty and is troubled by the matter. The Russians have never “given up the doctrine of indefeasible allegiance,” thus excepting their subjects from part of the treaty. Lodge also believes that the Russians violate the treaty regarding American born Jews. Going to the Permanent Court of Arbitration could strengthen the American position but Russia would likely ignore any decision on their right to exclude immigrants. This would also raise awkward questions regarding the United States’ laws against Chinese immigration.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-10-12

Letter from Henry Green to Theodore Roosevelt

Henry Green is organizing a meeting to protest Russia’s refusal to honor American passports held by clergy members, Jews, and other Americans. Green asks Theodore Roosevelt to join his committee of influential Americans. He will send Roosevelt the full list of committee members in the next few days and includes a short-list of members who already accepted the invitation.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-09-15

Letter from William H. Taft to Theodore Roosevelt

Secretary of War Taft updates President Roosevelt regarding the management of the National Parks. Superintendent of Yellowstone National Park S. B. M. Young would prefer rangers to the military, and Taft agrees with him, but Congress is putting the responsibility of park management on the War Department rather than the Department of the Interior. Taft warns that he accidentally engaged in cards on a Sunday, in case the press finds out. While traveling, he saw Secretary of Commerce and Labor Oscar S. Straus, and they discussed both Japanese naturalization and immigration of Russian Jews. Taft briefly lists his upcoming speeches.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-09-04

Letter from Herman Speck von Sternburg to Theodore Roosevelt

German Ambassador Sternburg shares military intelligence about Japan with President Roosevelt.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-04-01

Letter from Edward Grey to Theodore Roosevelt

British Foreign Secretary Grey updates President Roosevelt about James Bryce’s plans regarding his upcoming trip to Canada and the ongoing conversations about the best position to take at the International Peace Conference. Grey hopes the diplomatic debacle following Jamaican Governor James Alexander Swettenham’s refusal of American help after the Kingston Earthquake is blowing over, as well as the conflict between the Japanese Government and America regarding California. Grey thinks that King Léopold II of Belgium should relinquish control of the Congo, which he believes should pass to the Belgian Government.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-02-12

Letter from Whitelaw Reid to Theodore Roosevelt

Ambassador Reid updates President Roosevelt about his diplomatic activities and assures him that he has been keeping Secretary of State Elihu Root in the loop. Reid suspects that the Russians and Germans are trying to get an American diplomat to make a statement regarding disarmament, so they can better position themselves at the upcoming Peace Conference.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-02-18

Letter from George von Lengerke Meyer to Elihu Root

Ambassador Meyer describes a visit between the Diplomatic Corps and the Emperor and Empress of Russia, Nicholas II and Alexandra. He notes that the Emperor admires the “forcible, straightforward, courageous way” President Roosevelt expresses himself in his message.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-01-15

Letter from Alexander Lambert to Theodore Roosevelt

Dr. Alexander Lambert writes to President Roosevelt that he has a patient under his care by the name of Stephen F. Moriarty who is a stated representative of a Russian construction government working under concessions from the Russian government. Moriarty is hoping to get an interview with President Roosevelt.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-01-01

Telegram from William Woodville Rockhill to Francis B. Loomis

William Woodville Rockhill sends a confidential message from the Emperor of China to President Roosevelt expressing gratitude for Roosevelt’s proclamation that China’s territorial integrity and sovereignty should be preserved. The Emperor of China hopes that Roosevelt will remember these words and protect the territorial rights of China in Manchuria during the upcoming peace negotiations between Japan and Russia. China will not send a representative to Washington to take part in the negotiations.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-07-05

Letter from Edward N. Pearson to Herbert D. Pierce

New Hampshire Secretary of State Pearson has found that Hotel Wentworth, along with the Rockingham, will be able to provide every possible courtesy and convenience to the peace plenipotentiaries. Pearson will visit the Mount Washington Hotel tomorrow and let them know of the change in hotel. New Hampshire’s governor will forward amended invitations to the Russian Ambassador and Japanese Minister.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-07-03

Telegram from Rudolph Forster to William Loeb

Emperor Meiji has appointed Baron Komura, minister for foreign affairs, and Mr. Takshira as plenipotentiaries for Japan.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-07-03

Telegram from William Loeb to Rudolph Forster

William Loeb writes to Assistant Secretary of State Forster asking him to forward a message to Japanese Minister Kogoro Takahira. The message mentions President Roosevelt’s gratitude for receiving Takahira’s letter and Roosevelt’s intention to not broadcast the plans for an armistice.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-07-03

Message from Kogoro Takahira to Theodore Roosevelt

Baron Komura, Minister for Foreign Affairs, and Baron Takahira were announced as plenipotentiaries for Japan to negotiate peace with Russia.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-07-03

Telegram from George von Lengerke Meyer to Francis B. Loomis

George von Lengerke Meyer had believed that revolution in Russia was improbable, but events of the past week have altered conditions. There have been strikes, the disturbances in Lodz, and the arousing by the socialists. Also, there is a general dissatisfaction among the people over the last mobilization.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-07-03