Russo-Japanese War (1904-1905)

Letter from Charlemagne Tower to Theodore Roosevelt

Emperor William II believes that peace should be made between Russia and Japan, and that President Roosevelt is the best person to help accomplish that. Ambassador Tower encloses a copy of the note that William II sent to him, in order that Roosevelt can gain a better understanding of his purpose. William II sees a continuation of the war as being hopeless for Russia as the people are against it and may try to assassinate Emperor Nicholas II.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-06-09

Letter from John Callan O’Laughlin to Theodore Roosevelt

John Callan O’Laughlin informs President Roosevelt that Ambassador Cassini has received no communication from Russia. Cassini stated that if he were able to see Ambassador Meyer’s report of his conversation with Czar Nicholas II to ascertain whether Russia wanted peace and if Roosevelt was encouraging Japan to be “moderate,” he would recommend a peace conference. O’Laughlin passed along Roosevelt’s perspective that Russia was defeated on land and sea and that must be kept in mind during negotiations.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-06-09

Memorandum from the Office of Naval Intelligence

No change in the positions of the Russian and Japanese armies were noted this week. It is rumored that Japan has occupied a strategic point eighty miles east of Kirin. The defeat of Admiral Zinoviĭ Petrovich Rozhestvenskiĭ in the Sea of Japan leaves the Japanese a more direct route through which to deliver troops and supplies to armies in the field.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-06-09

Letter from George von Lengerke Meyer to Theodore Roosevelt

Ambassador Meyer writes to President Roosevelt, relaying details of his meeting with Czar Nicholas II to discuss Roosevelt’s desire to encourage peace negotiations between Japan and Russia. The czar made an exception for Meyer and entertained him on the empress’s birthday. Meyer reports that although Czar Nicholas was initially resistant to the idea, he acquiesced as long as Japan would not be aware of Russia’s cooperation initially.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-06-09

Telegram from George von Lengerke Meyer to John Hay

George von Lengerke Meyer has informed the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Japan’s consent. Meyer will express to Emperor Nicholas II, by letter, President Roosevelt’s thanks for his expressions of good will.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-06-09

Letter from George von Lengerke Meyer to Theodore Roosevelt

Ambassador Meyer writes to President Roosevelt how Meyer personally delivered Roosevelt’s proposition for a meeting between Japan and Russia to negotiate peace to Emperor Nicholas. Meyer outlines his efforts to convince the Emperor that negotiations were necessary, which the Emperor accepted.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-06-09

Memorandum sent by the president to the Japanese and Russian governments

President Roosevelt urges Japan and Russia to negotiate for peace. Roosevelt believes Japan and Russia can meet without an intermediary, but offers to assist if the two nations would like his help.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-06-08

Letter from John Callan O’Laughlin

John Callan O’Laughlin relays concerns Count Cassini has in regards to President Roosevelt’s negotiations in the Russo-Japanese War.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-06-08

Letter from John Callan O’Laughlin to Theodore Roosevelt

John Callan O’Laughlin relays a conversation with Arthur Cassini to President Roosevelt. Cassini is not aware of what was said between Czar Nicholas II and Ambassador Meyer. Cassini was pleased that Roosevelt was encouraging Japan to be cooperative. He was also intrigued by the idea of land being exchanged rather than money. All communications from Roosevelt will be kept confidential.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-06-08

Telegram from Francis B. Loomis to George von Lengerke Meyer

The Russian government needs to be informed that the Japanese government has consented to the proposal. Then the Russian government will be presented with a dispatch that was also presented to the Japanese government. The dispatch urges Russia and Japan to come to terms of peace and that President Roosevelt is willing to do whatever he can to help.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-06-08

Letter from Kentarō Kaneko to Theodore Roosevelt

Kentarō Kaneko has decided to stay in Washington, D.C., for the time being after meeting Minister Takahira on his return from the White House.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-06-08

Telegram from Francis B. Loomis to Lloyd Carpenter Griscom

Two identical dispatches are being sent to Japan and Russia and then will be made public after both governments receive it. President Roosevelt urges Russia and Japan to open up peace negotiations with each other. Roosevelt suggests that the peace negotiations can be conducted between Russian and Japanese plenipotentiaries without any intermediaries.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-06-08

Letter from John Callan O’Laughlin to Theodore Roosevelt

John Callan O’Laughlin met with Ambassador Cassini and delivered a message from President Roosevelt. Cassini stated that he hopes the United States will urge Japan to be moderate in its peace demands, to which O’Laughlin replied that Roosevelt did “not desire to convey the terms of Japan to Russia or vice versa.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-06-07

Letter from Henry White to John Hay

Henry White writes to John Hay regarding Morocco’s demands for an international conference and the ensuing responses from ambassadors of other interested nations. While Hay’s efforts toward peace are appreciated by the Italian government, White does not anticipate any results in the near future.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-06-07

Telegram from Henry White to John Hay

Henry White updates President Roosevelt through Secretary of State Hay on the Tangier Crisis in Morocco and the obstacles preventing peace negotiations between Russia and Japan.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-06-07

Telegram from George von Lengerke Meyer to John Hay

Emperor Meiji is convinced that his people do not desire peace at any price and would support him in continuing the war rather than have him come to terms that may be dishonorable. The Emperor is willing to meet with the Russians and President Roosevelt to discuss peace terms. This must be kept absolutely secret and Roosevelt must take the initiative in obtaining the consent of the Japanese government. Czar Nicholas II’s answer and agreement to such a meeting must be kept secret until Japan agrees. Roosevelt will openly ask both powers to a meeting. Meiji urges that consent be obtained from the Japanese government as soon as possible.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-06-07

Letter from George von Lengerke Meyer to Theodore Roosevelt

Ambassador Meyer reports that Russian Emperor Nicholas II is in favor of continuing the war with Japan. While the general sentiment of others favors peace, there is unanimous agreement that a continuation of war is preferable to paying a large sum in reparations. Meyer recounts accusations of corruption by the Navy Department who reportedly passed on purchasing superior warships as there would be “no commission for certain Russian individuals.” Meyer has had no response to his letters to Secretary of State Hay regarding trade with Russia but feels the matter needs to be addressed urgently if the United states is not to lose out.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-06-05

Translation of a cablegram from Luke E. Wright to William H. Taft

Governor-General of the Philippines Wright advises Secretary of War Taft that two of the Russian ships are badly damaged near the waterline and will need repairs to be seaworthy; the third is not so badly damaged. The wounded have been treated. Wright is construing the President’s statement on neutrality to mean that the ships should be repaired and kept under guard.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-06-05

Letter from Andrew Dickson White to Theodore Roosevelt

Andrew Dickson White asks President Roosevelt if he can make use of the “Special Mediation” as given in Title II, Article VIII of the 1899 Hague Arbitration Convention to end the “Eastern War.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-05-31

Letter from Kogoro Takahira to William Loeb

Baron Takahira asks William Loeb to forward a telegram he received to President Roosevelt.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-05-31