Russia

Telegram from Theodore Roosevelt to George von Lengerke Meyer

President Roosevelt has shared with Russian ambassador Cassini the name of one of the potential Japanese plenipotentiaries. Roosevelt asks for clarification whether the Russian government would like him to seek further information from the Japanese about their representatives. Roosevelt is willing to do so, but he prefers that both Japan and Russia proceed with nominating their plenipotentiaries.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-06-20

Letter from Francis B. Loomis to William Loeb

Assistant Secretary of State Loomis confirms that special care will be taken to observe President Roosevelt’s request that no communications in reference to the peace negotiations be published in the Blue Book without his consent.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-06-19

Note on the editorial by A. S. Suvorin in Novoe Vremya, June 18, 1905

This note reports on Aleksei Sergeevich Suvorin’s editorial in the June 18, 1905, edition of Novoe Vremya. Suvorin writes that he considers President Roosevelt’s mediation in the peace talks between Russia and Japan to be a mistake. He does not like the thought that Roosevelt will be viewed as Russia’s benefactor or protector and believes that matters would be resolved more swiftly without mediation. He specifically refutes the notion that Russia is as defeated by Japan as Spain was by the United States.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-06-18

Telegram regarding Japanese peace efforts

This telegram comes by way of Tokyo, Japan, and is written to reassure President Roosevelt regarding the Japanese government’s intention to appoint peace plenipotentiaries and assign them power.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-06-18

Letter from George von Lengerke Meyer to Theodore Roosevelt

Late last night, Ambassador Meyer received a letter from Minister Lamzdorf informing him of Emperor Nicholas II’s decision to accept President Roosevelt’s invitation for peace talks with Japan. Meyer has had some frustrating and heated discussions with Lamzdorf and has had to threaten to take matters to the Emperor himself. Lamzdorf is eager to know who the Japanese plan to appoint as plenipotentiaries, so that Russia can choose its best representatives. Meyer hopes that Russia does not appoint Ambassador Nelidov who he considers to be “too old and nervous.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-06-18

Letter from Knute Nelson to Theodore Roosevelt

Senator Nelson congratulates President Roosevelt for bringing Russia and Japan together for peace negotiations. While Nelson does not think it appropriate for either himself or Roosevelt to recognize the new Norwegian government, he suggests that Roosevelt may commend Sweden and Norway for being able to “come together on some fair basis without bloodshed.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-06-17

Letter from Whitelaw Reid to Theodore Roosevelt

Ambassador Reid discusses his experience at the English royal court, explains the reasons for England’s reluctance to force conversations for peace between the Russians and Japanese, and relays information on the current relationship between Germany and France.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-06-17

Telegram from George von Lengerke Meyer to John Hay

George von Lengerke Meyer informs Secretary of State Hay that he has followed Hay’s instructions and is waiting for a reply from Ambassador Arthur Paul Nicholas Cassini. Meyer is also waiting to hear back from Emperor Nicholas II about a cable Hay sent to the czar.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-06-17

Memorandum from the Office of Naval Intelligence

The Office of Naval Intelligence reports on the status of armed forces in Manchuria and warships in the Sea of Japan.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-06-16

Letter from George von Lengerke Meyer to John Hay

A possible hitch in the negotiations occurred on June 11, when a representative of the Associated Press said that he feared there was bad faith on the part of Russia. This was due to a telegram sent out by Reuters saying that while Japan would nominate plenipotentiaries, Russia would only name representatives. The Reuters agent claimed to hear that information at the Foreign Office. The issue had not been raised by Tsar Nicholas II or Count Lamzdorf, and Meyer had received a formal acceptance that morning from Russia that used the word plenipotentiary.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-06-16

Telegram from Francis B. Loomis to Lloyd Carpenter Griscom

Assistant Secretary of State Loomis writes to Minister Griscom informing him that President Roosevelt has advised Minister Takahira that it would be unwise for Japan to appear uncooperative in the upcoming peace talks. Loomis explains that throughout the conflict, Russia has appeared to be the difficult party. Roosevelt believes that it would be a “misfortune for Japan” if they were to “hang back” in the conference. Although Roosevelt regretted that Japan rejected the Hague as the place of meeting, he has arranged for the meeting to take place in the United States.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-06-16

Letter from George von Lengerke Meyer to John Hay

Ambassador Meyer was able to obtain an audience with Emperor Nicholas II. They discussed President Roosevelt’s propositions for peace. Nicholas II agreed to the propositions. He said that it was important that the meeting of the plenipotentiaries take place before Saghalien was attacked or occupied. Nicholas II hopes to see the old friendship between the United States and Russia renewed.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-06-16

Letter from George von Lengerke Meyer to John Hay

Ambassador Meyer sends Secretary of State Hay a copy of the French text and a translation of Russia’s official note of acceptance to President Roosevelt’s invitation for the plenipotentiaries of Russia and Japan to meet to negotiate an end to the Russo-Japanese War. Count Lamzdorf has approved the translation.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-06-16

Memorandum of statement made by the president to the Russian ambassador

President Roosevelt hopes Russia will appoint two diplomats with the power to negotiate terms of peace as Japan has done.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-06-15

Memorandum for the Japanese government

President Roosevelt has announced the location of the peace negotiations as Washington, D.C., as Japan wished. Roosevelt also urged Russia to grant its diplomats full decision making powers.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-06-15

Telegram from George von Lengerke Meyer to John Hay

V. N. Lamzdorf has confirmed that The Hague is an acceptable place to Russia as a meeting place for the plenipotentiaries of Russia and Japan. He has cabled Russia’s ambassador to the United States, Count Cassini, to inform him of the same.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-06-15

Memorandum from James De Frescheville

Diplomatic secretary De Frescheville notes that the Russian government is open to the idea of the Russian and Japanese diplomats meeting together and discussing peace, as long as the Japanese government also agrees to take part in the meeting.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-06-15

Letter from Oscar S. Straus to Theodore Roosevelt

Secretary of Commerce and Labor Straus congratulates President Roosevelt on his success in recent “humanitarian diplomacy.” Straus is confident that Roosevelt’s efforts will bring peace.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-06-14

Telegram from Francis B. Loomis to George von Lengerke Meyer

President Roosevelt is trying his hardest to get the meeting between Russia and Japan at The Hague.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-06-14

Telegram from V. N. Lamsdorff to George von Lengerke Meyer

Czar Nicholas II is moved by the sentiments expressed by President Roosevelt and is glad to find new proof of the traditional friendship between the United States and Russia. The Imperial Government has no objections to seeking terms of peace with Japan if they desire the same.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-06-12