Stanton, Philip A. (Philip Ackley), 1868-1945

Theodore Roosevelt was delighted to read his son Ted’s letter describing the political situation in California, and was especially glad that he and his wife Eleanor Butler Roosevelt have not been unduly swayed by “nine-tenths of the social leaders,” who he feels are gradually moving away from what he believes is right.  He wholeheartedly approves of the way that Ted has sought to avoid the spotlight and publicity, and Roosevelt is especially proud of his son and daughter-in-law’s actions in “bearing out [his] preaching by their practice.” Roosevelt inserts, in the private letter to his son, a portion which he says Ted can share with several people in which he comments on how he would like to support Hiram Johnson for governor of California, but explains why this is impossible for him to do directly.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1910-08-10

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Recipient

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1887-1944

President Roosevelt appreciates the “admirable work” that Governor Gillett has done. Roosevelt thinks he has covered the topic thoroughly in a previous telegram to Speaker Philip A. Stanton of the California State Assembly. If Gillett desires anything else done, he should let Roosevelt know.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1909-02-10

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

President Roosevelt has been interested in Chester H. Rowell’s article on “Orientophobia.” He wishes to see Rowell before he leaves the White House. Roosevelt’s message to Speaker Philip A. Stanton was “just as much a message to Japan as it was to California.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1909-02-11

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

President Roosevelt saw Senator Frank P. Flint, who has been very helpful, after receiving Governor Gillett’s message. On Flint’s advice, Roosevelt sent a telegram to Speaker Philip A. Stanton of the California State Assembly that Stanton may publish. Roosevelt asks Gillett to see Stanton. He approves of Gillet’s course of action, and will happily offer additional assistance if Gillett thinks he could be useful. 

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1909-02-06

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

President Roosevelt requests that Governor Gillett ask Speaker Philip A. Stanton of the California Assembly to publish the telegram Roosevelt sent him yesterday. Roosevelt will wire Stanton in more detail tomorrow, and will continue to support Gillett’s work. 

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1909-02-07

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

President Roosevelt advises Senator Knox, who will be president-elect William H. Taft’s secretary of state, on the importance and fragility of the relationship between the United States and Japan. Roosevelt explains why he believes that there is a real possibility that Japan will declare war on the United States, although this is by no means certain. Currently, many Americans are pursuing ineffectual and offensive strategies in an effort to prevent Japanese immigration to the United States. Roosevelt supports their goal but not their means. In Hawaii, meanwhile, Roosevelt disapproves of sugar planters encouraging large numbers of settlers from China and Japan to come work on their plantations. Roosevelt feels that the settlement of Hawaii by individuals from Southern Europe should be encouraged. His more general policy is threefold. He wants the government to prevent Japanese citizens from settling in America, while treating Japan “so courteously that she will not be offended more than necessary,” and building up the navy as a preventative measure. Although the value of this policy should be self-evident, Americans “are shortsighted and have short memories.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1909-02-08

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Benjamin Ide Wheeler, president of the University of California, tells President Roosevelt that he will lecture at the University of Berlin on various topics of American life. He asks Roosevelt if he can come to California in August. Wheeler has been out to visit farmers with six other university professors on their “agricultural train,” where the farmers’ dislike of Japanese people was a common subject. Wheeler feels that the California Legislature should do nothing about it, with the matter better left in Roosevelt’s hands.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1909-02-09

Creator(s)

Wheeler, Benjamin Ide, 1854-1927