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President Roosevelt writes to George von Lengerke Meyer that he is not to leave his ambassador post unless he is reasonably certain that nothing of importance will happen. Roosevelt believes that during the last five years Meyer is the only ambassador that has had real work to do.
Massachusetts Historical Society
1906-07-28
President Roosevelt tells Ambassador to Russia Meyer that he has felt impatient with the Russian Duma, believing it to be subject to socialist and anarchistic influences. Roosevelt thinks it unfortunate that in a country struggling towards effective self-government, the leaders are “impractical and foolish visionaries of the Tolstoy class.”
Massachusetts Historical Society
1906-08-30
President Roosevelt does not know when George von Lengerke Meyer will join the Cabinet. Meyer was a class ahead of Roosevelt in college.
Massachusetts Historical Society
1906-11-27
President Roosevelt writes to Ambassador Reid about ongoing negotiations between France and Germany about Morocco. Beginning with background information about the situation, with Germany wishing to call a conference to reform the government of Morocco—in opposition to France—Roosevelt then includes the text of numerous letters and telegrams in English and French from various parties related to this issue. Roosevelt says he will send copies of this letter to Henry White and George von Lengerke Meyer, and will show it to Secretary of State Elihu Root, as well, but no one else, as it is to be strictly confidential. He closes with some personal remarks to Reid, responding to a previous letter from him, and thanking him for presenting Milla Shonts and her daughters. The envelope appended at the end suggests that this is the copy of the letter which was sent to Meyer.
Massachusetts Historical Society
1906-04-28
German Ambassador Sternburg has agreed to speak at Sewanee University. He remarks on whether the Russian army will perform better than their navy, noting that “even the Spaniards” could have done better at Port Arthur.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-04-19
Acting charge d’affaires to Great Britain Henry White writes to Secretary of State Hay about British political issues, Parliamentary legislation, and Anglo-American concerns which the legation is handling. The Entente Cordiale was signed by France and England to the relief of both countries because neither wanted to be dragged into the Russo-Japanese War on the sides of their respective allies. White describes the financial legislation that is being considered. He then characterizes the negotiation process about the Samoan claim, the Nicaraguan incident, and the Ladd extradition case.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-04-22
Count Cassini extends condolences regarding the accident on board the USS Missouri.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-04-14
Oscar S. Straus shares reports of rumors concerning the massacre of Jews in Odessa, Russia, and the tolerance of the Russian government for publications inciting the massacre. Straus trusts that President Roosevelt will invoke “humanitarian diplomacy” concerning the matter.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-03-31
Senator Lodge regrets that he cannot accept President Roosevelt’s dinner invitation for March 12. He has a dinner scheduled at his home that evening, with guests who were already rescheduled once because of Senator Marcus Alonzo Hanna’s death. As the guests include the ambassadors from Germany and Russia, he does not feel he can reschedule again. If the dinner Roosevelt is hosting is for Louis Adams Frothingham, Lodge had particularly wanted to be present.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-03
Jacob Gould Schurman encourages an adherence to traditional American values in the face of growing American power.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-03-30
A newspaper article describes the celebration of the 126th anniversary of Robert Emmet’s birth. The majority of speakers at the event focused on support for Russia. The standing room only crowd adopted resolutions in support of Russia as being a continued ally to the United States and denounced any treaty with England.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-03
Two newspaper articles describe a seder service held at Ellis Island for ninety detained Russian Jewish immigrants. The supplies and cost for the religious service were paid for by the private catering company that held the Ellis Island contract.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-04
Acting charge d’affaires to Great Britain Henry White writes to President Roosevelt about many topics dealing with Ireland and England. White served in this role because Ambassador Joseph Hodges Choate was on the continent. As a result, he will go to the country estate of Prime Minister Arthur James Balfour for a weekend visit. White will inform Secretary of State John Hay by letter or telegraph of any important information that he learns during that visit. White encloses the book Ireland in the New Century, by Sir Horace Plunkett, which he describes at length. White discusses negotiations between England and France over territories in Africa. White also mentions that Professor S. H. Butcher, who taught Greek at Edinburgh, will be lecturing in the United States and asks if the President would see him. The professor would be a very interesting dinner guest at the White House.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-03-25
Poultney Bigelow thanks President Roosevelt for his encouragement regarding Bigelow’s new position at the Boston University School of Law. Bigelow had an amiable meeting with Secretary of the Navy William H. Moody and hopes that Admiral French Ensor Chadwick can visit the points around the Red Sea and Persian Gulf that will become important to Russia.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-04-06
The letter discusses the impacts on American business in Russia, particularly insurance, because of the war with Japan. The Russian people believe that President Roosevelt’s proclamation regarding neutrality of public officials in the U.S. will not only change popular sentiment in America in Russia’s favor, but will work to repair the bonds between the two countries. While this displays a lack of understanding of the relationship between Americans and their President, any improvement in Russian sensibilities is welcome.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-03-17
Andrew Carnegie discusses foreign policy matters, including William H. Taft’s opinion concerning the Philippines, policy towards Russia, free trade with Canada, a preference tariff in Britain, and the Panama Canal.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-03-11
Nicholas Williams McIvor forwards a memo sent to Baron Kaneko regarding permission to erect a trust in Japan. McIvor goes on to discuss world politics at length.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-03-12
All civil, military, and naval officials are to observe President Roosevelt’s proclamation of neutrality in the conflict between Russia and Japan.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-03-11
Jacob Sloat Fassett encloses a copy of resolutions he introduced at the New York State Committee meeting. He informs President Roosevelt that Harry M. Glen will be interviewing him soon. Fassett will be writing Secretary of State Hay concerning the recent Russian takeover of American mines.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-02-29
Secretary of War Taft responds to William Loeb’s letter concerning the U.S. government’s consent to Japan’s request to lay a cable between Yokohama and Guam, and whether the consent is in violation of neutrality laws. Taft recommends allowing a private company to install and maintain the cable.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-02-24