Russo-Japanese War (1904-1905)

Letter from Hermann Speck von Sternburg to Theodore Roosevelt

Hermann Speck von Sternburg offers Theodore Roosevelt a detailed look at the different possibilities playing out that could end the Russo-Japanese War. If the European powers combined interest and resources, Sternburg believes that they could end the Japanese threat in East Asia. However, articles in the French and English press raise doubt as to whether England is willing to combine powers and end an alliance with Japan, while factors in Germany and Russia also cause tension and complicate the ending of hostilities.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-02-09

Memorandum from the Office of Naval Intelligence

There has been no change in the positions of the armies since October 21, as they have been focused on burying the dead, treating the wounded, replenishing supplies, and generally strengthening positions. They have both been hampered by heavy rains. The siege of Port Arthur continues. The Baltic Fleet has arrived on the Spanish coast and is headed for Tangiers. Lieutenant Newton A. McCully has arrived at Russian headquarters and was received favorably by General Aleksey Kuropatkin.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-10-28

Letter from Hermann Speck von Sternburg to Theodore Roosevelt

German Ambassador Sternburg sends President Roosevelt some photographs of the Russian battleship T︠S︡esarevich he received from China. Sternburg remarks that the common opinion is that the officers of the ship behaved like cowards, because the vital points of the ship were not damaged, and it still held plenty of ammunition. A report that Germany was going to lessen the importance of battleships in their naval program as a result of what they learned by observing battles in the Russo-Japanese War is false, according to Sternburg, and instead believes that battleships are valued more highly than ever before although the guns they are armed with will continue to change.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-10-29

Letter from George Albert Converse to William Loeb

Following the verbal instructions of President Roosevelt, Rear Admiral George Albert Converse, Chief of the Bureau of Navigation, submits a memorandum on the subject of battleships in the Russo-Japanese War. Converse informs William Loeb that he is including two appendices with the memorandum, which explain certain subjects in more detail.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-10-27

Appendix to Memorandum for The President on “Battleships in the Russo-Japanese War”

Contrary to the opinions of some observers, the course of battles in the Russo-Japanese War has not shown battleships to be obsolete. While battleships can be vulnerable to torpedo boats, this is already known, and the effectiveness of torpedo boats in the course of the war is likely to be less than was initially anticipated. Nevertheless, both types of vessels are important in the makeup of a navy. A substantial quotation from an article by Captain A. T. Mahan outlines the principles that must be considered when thinking about what sorts of ships a navy consists of.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-10-27

Letter from William D. Beach to William Loeb

Major Beach sends William Loeb a military cablegram to deliver to President Roosevelt pertaining to battles in the Russo-Japanese war. The cablegram was received from E. H. Crowder, who is with the Japanese Army, via Lieutenant-Colonel Oliver E. Wood, who is stationed in Tokyo.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-10-19

Letter from Adna Romanza Chaffee to William Loeb

Chief of Staff Chaffee sends William Loeb a report on the situation in Mukden for President Roosevelt.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-10-17

Letter from George Kennan to Theodore Roosevelt

George Kennan was pleased to learn that President Roosevelt dismissed Consul General Robert M. McWade from his position at Canton. Although he does not know about the case in particular, he has heard negative opinions about McWade from many people throughout Asia. Kennan is traveling to the headquarters of the Japanese Third Army to report, and hopes to see the capture of Port Arthur. He wishes Roosevelt luck in the election in November.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-10-14

Letter from Adna Romanza Chaffee to William Loeb

General Adna Romanza Chaffee sends information for President Roosevelt to William Loeb. Fighting in Manchuria has pushed the Russians back.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-10-15

Results of Gun and Torpedo Fire

A description of various battles fought during the Russo-Japanese War between February 8, 1904, and October 1, 1904, including the tactics used and results of the battles. The report focuses on Russian ships, as information on the injuries sustained by Japanese ships is not available.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-10-15

Letter from James F. J. Archibald to Theodore Roosevelt

James F. J. Archibald expresses his hope that President Roosevelt wins the election and notes that the Russian army in Manchuria also hopes Roosevelt remains in power. Archibald describes his impressions of the Russo-Japanese War, from the effectiveness of the Japanese infantry to the reluctance of the Russian army to do more than the minimum required.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-10-05

Letter from William Crozier to Theodore Roosevelt

Chief of Ordinance Crozier writes to President Roosevelt enclosing extracts from two reports from American officers, one from Russia and the other from Japan, concerning the Russo-Japanese War.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-10-05

Letter from John Hay to Theodore Roosevelt

Secretary of State Hay forwards to President Roosevelt a letter from Dr. Carl Abel. John Bigelow thinks Abel is “one of the most informed men in Germany in regard to the Russian affairs.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-10-08

Letter from Arthur Hamilton Lee to Theodore Roosevelt

Arthur Hamilton Lee sends friendly greetings to President Roosevelt and discusses Lee’s work in the British government. He then goes on to discuss the Russo-Japanese War and their “little friend Shiba in Cuba.” He concludes by saying how much he misses “his American friend” and while he knows Roosevelt is busy, he does not want to lose touch simply because of distance and the passage of time.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-10-01

Letter from John Hay to Theodore Roosevelt

Secretary of State Hay writes to President Roosevelt to relate his correspondence with Nathan Bijur and to agree that they should avoid publicizing the “Russian matter” just now. He also expresses his opinion that “Russia is whipped and Germany is the power to be dealt with” and his confidence that Roosevelt will win the election. He concludes by emphasizing how important is is that Senator Lodge is reelected.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-09-22

Letter from Francis B. Loomis to William Loeb

Acting Secretary of State Loomis forwards to William Loeb, for President Roosevelt’s information, a letter from Philip C. Garrett about the Russo-Japanese War.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-09-22

Letter from Carl Abel

Carl Abel writes to his “dear friend” to say that the Russian Government inserted an anonymous letter in the London Sunday Times outlining a suggested peace for the Russo-Japanese War in which Russia would evacuate Manchuria, pay a fee to Japan, and Japan would maintain control of Korea and “rent” Port Arthur from China. Abel notes that while this seems improbable, it is an idea from the Russian government and they are eager to end the war quickly.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-09-23

Letter from Edwin Morgan to William Rockhill

Edwin V. Morgan writes to Commissioner Rockhill to report on his visit to China, including a survey of a German railroad, and his impressions of the Provisional College at Tsinanfu. Morgan also discusses the current state of the war, noting that Fu Zhou, the Governor of Shantung, would like the United States to join China in an attempt to end the conflict.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-09-24

Letter from Carl Abel

To augment his previous letter, Carl Abel tells his “dear friend” that Japan seems unwilling to accept the truce proposed by Russia in the newspaper article. He goes on to speculate on the international relations consequences of the possible outcomes of the conflict.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-09-25

Telegram from Paul Morton to Theodore Roosevelt

Secretary of the Navy Morton relays to President Roosevelt the contents of a telegram from the captain of the Russian warship Lena. The ship needs to dock for repairs in San Francisco, subject to Morton’s approval.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-09-15