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This letter is a report on the state of the Russian naval fleet with regards to making peace with Japan. The report states that the fleet remains ready to engage and that Russia is in no way willing to make peace.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-03-14
Hermann Speck von Sternburg recounts a meeting between Sternburg and Count Arthur Paul Nicholas Cassini regarding the situation in the Far East. Sternburg discusses a lost opportunity at Liao Yang that could have brought the war to an end.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-03-20
The Office of Naval Intelligence reports on the positions and movements of the Russian and Japanese armies during the Battle of Mudken, which took place along the Hun River near the Manchurian city of Mukden, now Shenyang in the province of Liaoning. The report also details the movements of Russia’s Third Pacific Fleet.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-03-10
United States Ambassador to Italy Meyer relates a conversation he had with the English Ambassador, Sir Edwin Henry Egerton. The latter expressed the opinion that the Russians now recognize, following the assassination of Grand Duke Sergeĭ, that Czar Nicholas II’s attitude to the war and internal affairs must change. Sergeĭ Vitte, it is expected, will implement reforms once it becomes clear that those reforms can be achieved. Egerton also relayed information he had garnered from Japanese Minister to Spain Shiro Akabane, who expressed that his country might concede Port Arthur to China, and that Japan was more interested in the island of Sakhalin.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-02-21
Kentarō Kaneko writes that he has seen an article in the Tribune, which he is sending to President Roosevelt. He also tells Roosevelt that he is happy to be of service at any time.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-02-22
Hermann Speck von Sterburg provides an account of international relations as the Russo-Japanese War draws to an end. Based on an analysis of press, particularly in France, Sternburg believes that Russia is thought to be closer with England and France than with Japan. It is also suggested that any peace negotiations should involve President Roosevelt.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-02-22
The Office of Naval Intelligence gives an account of what is taking place between Japanese and Russian armies. A fifth Japanese army is thought to be forming in Northeast Korea. Russian admiral Rojestvensky was keeping his fleet near the Red Sea to allow for the Russian Third Pacific Fleet to reach the North Sea. Sightings of Japanese cruisers have taken place in the China Sea.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-02-24
Hermann Speck von Sternburg writes to President Roosevelt discussing a meeting of Count Lamzdorf, Ambassador Wilhelm Eduard von Schoen, Ambassador Maurice Bompard, and Ambassador Charles Hardinge. Sternburg states that Russia is interested in peace but believes that since Japan started the war, she should bring forward peace offerings.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-02-24
Henry Cabot Lodge forwards to President Roosevelt a letter from George von Lengerke Meyer, ambassador to Russia. Lodge is pleased to see that Meyer is not deceived by the “official Russian lie.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-02-25
William Sturgis Bigelow has just sent President Roosevelt a book of animal photography on the “chance of your stocking being still up.” In a postscript, Bigelow mentions press coverage of the Russo-Japanese war, and that Europe has been asking Roosevelt to mediate between the powers, and comments that he feels like the Japanese will end the war themselves soon enough through victory.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-01-03
The Office of Naval Intelligence gives an account of what is happening with the Japanese army and navy along the Sha River.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-03-03
Adna Romanza Chaffee forwards a report from Lieutenant Colonel Wood with the first observations at Port Arthur since its surrender.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-02-10
There have been no reported troop movements since last week. Command of the Russian Second Army has transferred to Lieutenant General Myloff after Lieutenant General Gripenberg’s recall. Vice Admiral Rejestvensky’s fleet is still thought to be in the vicinity of Madagascar.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-02-10
Secretary of State Hay sends President Roosevelt a dispatch, which shows the desire of German Emperor William II to be on good terms with both combatants of the Russo-Japanese War. Hay writes that Baron Kogoro Takahira attributes this to Roosevelt’s recent actions.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-02-11
Minister of Foreign Affairs Komura tells Japanese Ambassador Takahira that the German government has contacted Komura denying rumors that the government is collaborating with the leaders of Russia and France “to bring about peace favorable to Russia.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-02-11
Hermann Speck von Sternburg relays information from Berlin. A “speedy conclusion of peace” would have advantages for Russia, according to the British ambassador. Count Vladimir Lamsdorff agrees. Speck von Sternburg believes that these talks have been carried out “without knowledge of the law.” Speck von Sternburg’s people are also “anxious” to know Japan’s views on the peace talks.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-02-12
Ambassador Meyer writes to President Roosevelt regarding his dinner meeting with English Ambassador Egerton and Egerton’s words about the Russian loan. Meyer then mentions his discussion with the King who anticipates Meyer’s move to Saint Petersburg, Russia. The King foresees Russian conflict over China, shares his bad experience involving his tampered letters in Russia, and describes a case in Saint Petersburg involving an Italian Embassy official being bribed by someone seeking to crack the telegraph code.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-02-14
Cecil Spring Rice enjoyed seeing Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt and the rest of her family during a recent visit. Spring Rice thinks President Roosevelt looked very good, and looks forward to seeing him act on a larger stage in the world. He tells Edith to pass along to the President that he heard about a Japanese warship that will soon be raised from where it is currently sunk. He provides news about naval battles occurring in the Russo-Japanese war. In one battle he describes, Spring Rice says the Russians would have had the victory, but the Japanese got a lucky shot and demoralized the Russian troops.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-02-15
The Office of Naval Intelligence describes the fighting along the Hun River by the Japanese, along with the positions of the Russian Second and Third Pacific Fleet.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-02-17
Members of the Yale faculty, some of whom are knowledgeable of the conditions in the east, have formulated their opinions regarding the terms of peace which Japan should suggest if the country is in a position to do so. Count Kaneko encloses a copy of the statement strictly for President Roosevelt’s private inspection.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-02-09