Russia

Letter from John Hay to Theodore Roosevelt

There is conflict over the region of Manchuria between Russia and China. The United States is not hostile toward Russia in this situation, arguing that the region would be no worse under Russia than it was under Chinese control. Charles Richard Crane and Secretary of the Interior Hitchcock (former ambassador to Russia) misunderstand American intentions, while Count Arthur Paul Nicholas Cassini is satisfied with the American position and wants American correspondence in the Russian-French understanding published.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-05-01

Letter from Hermann Speck von Sternburg to Theodore Roosevelt

Hermann Speck von Sternburg writes from Simla in British India. Under Viceroy Curzon, India has had a prosperous year. Sternburg finds Curzon to be extravagant, but he is also an effective leader and is making a great deal of progress in India. Afghanistan is calm under Amir Habibullah Khan but Russian and French ambitions in India remain suspect. Discussions of China and trade and commerce also receive mention in this letter. Sternburg believes that India could become a strong industrial power, as it has iron ore and coal reserves, but no means to transport it. He discusses several different railroad projects in this very long letter, which also states his happiness that Ted Roosevelt’s health is improving.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-04-18

Letter from John Hay to Theodore Roosevelt

The ambassadors of France and Russia have submitted identical memorandums to the State Department. They agree with the principles outlined in the English-Japanese Convention drafted January 30, 1902, which maintains the independence of China and Korea while encouraging international commerce. The allied governments reserve the right to consult if the safety of their interests are threatened. Secretary of State Hay encloses a suggested reply.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-03-19

Asiatic fleet general order no. 82

All civil, military, and naval officials are to observe President Roosevelt’s proclamation of neutrality in the conflict between Russia and Japan.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-03-18

Telegram from George von Lengerke Meyer to William Loeb

George von Lengerke Meyer informs William Loeb of the assassination of a Russian chief of police.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-07-11

Letter from Hermann Speck von Sternburg to Theodore Roosevelt

Freiherr Sternburg is in India and reflects on the great power politics of India and the Middle East.  The Russians want a port on the Persian Gulf and are advancing through Persia.  The British oppose them in order to maintain a connection between India and Asia Minor.  Germany is building a railroad across the Ottoman Empire which is complicating the issue, but Sternburg believes the railroad will help Great Britain.  He has not been impressed with the British military in India.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-01-26

Partial abstract of testimony in the trial of the anti-Jewish rioters in the Odessa circuit court at Kishenef in November and December 1903

Summary of testimony during the trial of the thirty-nine people prosecuted for their involvement in the Kishinev Massacre, a pogrom that took place in Kishinev the capital of Bessarabia province in the Russian Empire. The anti-Jewish riots were responsible for the death of dozens of Jewish citizens.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-01-06

Letter from John F. Moore to Theodore Roosevelt

John F. Moore has written a letter to Nicholas II, Emperor of Russia, and would like Vice President Roosevelt to address and send the letter on his behalf. Moore threatens Nicholas II with a bombardment of St. Petersburg and invasion if Russian troops do note leave China and Poland. Moore had previously wrote to President McKinley offering advice on how to end the Boxer Rebellion in China. We are unsure of the order of the document’s pages.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1901

Letter from David Starr Jordan to Theodore Roosevelt

David Starr Jordan objects to H.R. 4386, “An Act to prevent the extermination of fur-bearing animals in Alaska, and for other purposes.” Jordan recommends negotiating with Great Britain to appoint a joint commission of naturalists to agree on sealing regulations. They must also consider the legal rights of Canada, Russia, and Japan.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1901-12-24

Inter-parliamentary conference

The Inter-Parliamentary Conference occurred recently, with delegates attending from across the world. Of particular note was British Prime Minister Henry Campbell-Bannerman’s speech welcoming the delegates and setting out some of his hopes for the unofficial gathering of nations, including that diplomacy and arbitration can help contribute to a lessening of the need for military conflict.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-07-27

Letter from Arthur Paul Nicholas Cassini to George B. Cortelyou

Ambassador Cassini has returned to Washington, D.C., and wishes to schedule a time to pay his respects to President Roosevelt.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1901-11-19

Letter from Herman Speck von Sternburg to Theodore Roosevelt

Hermann Speck von Sternburg is pleased to announce he has received a post in Washington, D.C. He reviews recent political developments in Europe and Asia minor, including England’s triumphs across the world and widespread opposition to Germany’s intentions for expansion.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1901-11-21

Letter from Joseph Wharton to Theodore Roosevelt

Joseph Wharton conveys Ambassador Tower’s concerns that he may need to leave his post in Russia due to the difficulty of properly educating his children. Wharton discussed with Tower President Roosevelt’s views on selecting a German-American as Ambassador to Berlin, Germany. Tower’s views seemed important enough that Wharton is submitting to Roosevelt a copy of the letter received from Tower.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1901-11-11

Letter from John Wallace Riddle to Theodore Roosevelt

John Wallace Riddle thanks President Roosevelt for his appointment to Russia.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1901-11-02

Letter from Hermann Speck von Sternburg to Theodore Roosevelt

Hermann Speck von Sternburg would like to serve in Washington, D.C., more than anywhere else, but his return depends on President Roosevelt. Sternburg reviews Russia’s actions in Asia, including its preoccupation with Afghanistan and a blockade of Persian railways.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1901-11-08

Letter from H. de H. Hay to Theodore Roosevelt

H. de H. Hay congratulates President Roosevelt on his succession to the presidency. He believes the anarchists are an active threat in Russia and England, although the various groups seem to be independent. Hay also discusses recent family events.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1901-10-31

Letter from Frederick William Holls to Theodore Roosevelt

Frederick William Holls agrees to call at the White House on Friday evening. Holls is hosting Fedor Fedorovich Martens, an international lawyer and councilor for the Russian department of foreign affairs. He hopes President Roosevelt can meet with Martens on Saturday as Martens would like to discuss the American sugar dispute with Russia. Holls hopes Roosevelt can also meet with Dr. von Scheele, the Lutheran Bishop of Wisby, Sweden.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1901-10-16

Letter from Hermann Speck von Sternburg to Theodore Roosevelt

The South African War has increased interest in mounted infantry in Europe and India, with some even advocating for a full army to be mounted. The gloomy news from South Africa is difficult, especially since many of the British admire the Boers. The British are seeking to get their candidate on the throne of Afghanistan but Russia is opposing them with its own influence. There are also tensions in the Persian Gulf as Britain seeks to protect its interests and Germany desires access to Kuwait Harbor as the terminus of the Anatolian railroad. There is a great deal of interest about President Roosevelt in India.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1901-10-09

Shipbuilding for the Navy

In a letter to the editor, T. A. Brassey argues that the British Navy should not focus on producing Dreadnaught-class battleships. He cites the recent sinking of large ships, especially during the Russo-Japanese war, to show that even heavily-armored ships are vulnerable to submarine mines and torpedoes. Furthermore, the costly large battleships are vulnerable to accidents at sea, and the more expensive guns on a ship the greater the financial loss when it sinks. Finally, Brassey argues that having more, smaller ships will allow for the great training and promotion of young captains.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-09-28

Letter from Poultney Bigelow to Theodore Roosevelt

Poultney Bigelow writes on behalf of his friend, Walter Neef, whose son would like to enter the American Navy. He hopes President Roosevelt can help Neef. In a postscript, Bigelow comments on Emperor Nicholas II’s visit to France which he thought went very poorly.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1901-09-30