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President Roosevelt shares with William Sturgis Bigelow what he plans to say about the Japanese. He states that he will share it with the Japanese Ambassador, Baron Kogoro Takahira, in a few days. Roosevelt also adds that Bigelow alarms him about Gus when he tells Roosevelt that “he sent for Bay to read aloud to him.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-10-27
President Roosevelt discusses various aspects of his efforts to make peace between Japan and Russia at length with Cecil Spring Rice. He also discusses the current strained relations between England and Germany, and informs Rice that he does not intend to take on the role of regular peacemaker between other countries. It is necessary for him to focus on the affairs of the United States, rather than trying to keep peace in Europe.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-11-01
President Roosevelt’s daughter, Alice, cannot say enough about how kind Ambassador Griscom and his wife Elizabeth Bronson Griscom were during her trip abroad. Roosevelt is willing to think that it is okay for Japan to “take the foreign relations of Korea” in its hands but will wishes first it speak about it with Japanese Ambassador Kogoro Takahira tomorrow.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-10-31
In response to an article in which George Kennan got facts about the peace between Russia and Japan wrong, President Roosevelt sends him information about the decision-making that led to the final peace deal. Roosevelt sends this for Kennan private information, because he believes that Kennan as a journalist is taken too seriously to misunderstand and misrepresent the facts.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-10-15
When the peace treaty between Japan and Russia is definitely made, President Roosevelt would like to have lunch with Baron Komura and Baron Kogoro Takahira, Japanese Ambassador to the United States.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-09-02
President Roosevelt informs Russian Ambassador Cassini that he has recently spoken to Japanese Ambassador Kogoro Takahira, and will appoint Washington, D.C., as the meeting place between the two delegations. If it is too hot, Cassini can arrange for the meeting to take place somewhere further north. Roosevelt invites Cassini to visit the White House so he can tell him all the details.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-06-15
President Roosevelt shares with Senator Lodge the in-depth details of how he worked to arrange a peace conference between Russia and Japan, including substantial quotations from letters and telegrams between himself and officials of both governments, as well as with Ambassador George von Lengerke Meyer and Ambassador Lloyd Carpenter Griscom. He writes frankly of his views of the two nations, and is not sure whether the negotiations will be successful.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-06-16
President Roosevelt directs Ambassador Griscom to inform the Japanese foreign office that members of their peace delegation will not be required to make any statements to immigration officials in the United States. He also asks Griscom to express his appreciation to Baron Jutarō Komura for his recent statements. Roosevelt will also speak with Baron Kogoro Takahira.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-06-19
President Roosevelt is glad to hear that Secretary of State Hay is recovering. He updates Hay on a variety of matters the State Department is currently dealing with. In particular, Roosevelt discusses the situation in Santo Domingo, and the ongoing efforts to broker peace between Russia and Japan.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-03-30
President Roosevelt agrees with German Emperor William II that it is unwise for peace negotiations between Japan and Russia to take place in a congress of nations. Japanese Ambassador Kogoro Takahira and British Ambassador H. Mortimer Durand agree with this assessment. Roosevelt spoke with Russian Ambassador Arthur Paul Nicholas Cassini and explained to him that it is “eminently to Russia’s interest to make peace,” and that delay would only increase the “onerousness of the terms” for Russia.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-03-31
Before he leaves for six weeks of travel, President Roosevelt updates Secretary of State Hay on a number of foreign relations issues. In particular, he discusses his efforts to begin peace talks between Russia and Japan, and the worries of the German emperor.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-04-02
President Roosevelt gives Cecil Spring Rice his assessment on the Russo-Japanese War. Roosevelt is not concerned with the emergence of Japan as a world power and does not think that Japan will become more aggressive. Roosevelt is concerned that Russia must be contained, but insists to Spring Rice that the U.S. has no intention of intervening in the war. In a postscript, Roosevelt discusses the differences between Japanese and American culture and diplomacy, and reflects on race and culture.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-06-13
President Roosevelt enjoyed the recent visit from Baron Kaneko and Ambassador Kogoro Takahira and thanks Kaneko for the two books he sent. Roosevelt was pleased to learn that Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes and Kaneko are well acquainted.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-03-31
President Roosevelt returns the “remarkable letter” from Baron Takahira and suggests that Secretary of State Hay keep it. Roosevelt hopes that the English act with “sanity and propriety in the Alaska business.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-08-21
Elisha Jackson Babcock informs Secretary of State Hay that Count Hirokichi Mutsu of the Japanese Legation visited, and delivered a message from Baron Kogoro Takahira asking for the appointment of John Barrett as minister to Japan to be delayed until he can meet with Hay.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902
William L. Speiden is a veteran of the United States Navy and shares many mutual friends with Theodore Roosevelt. He wonders if Roosevelt might help to expedite and support his application to congress.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-05-19
John Callan O’Laughlin informs President Roosevelt that the Japanese government has had a change of heart regarding the agreement between the United States and Japan which was proposed last fall. They would now like to enter into the agreement, which would give assurances that the Japanese would honor United States sovereignty over its Pacific possessions. Regarding a treaty that will end in 1912, O’Laughlin notes that the Japanese would like revisions regarding Japanese immigration to the United States. The Japanese are also thinking about annexing Korea.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-10-11
John Callan O’Laughlin reports that Japanese Ambassador Kogoro Takahira has been instructed to revive Foreign Minister Shūzō Aoki’s proposal. Aoki desires to return as a special ambassador to negotiate. O’Laughlin doubts this will be done.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-10-14
John Callan O’Laughlin reports that the Aoki agreement which Japan wishes to enter into with the United States declares the Pacific Ocean an “international highway” and disavows Japan’s designs on the Philippines. O’Laughlin relays to President Roosevelt a conversation he had with Japanese Premier Tarō Katsura. In the conversation, they reviewed the history of relations between the United States and Japan. Katsura assured O’Laughlin of his respect for Roosevelt and the United States, and the desire that Japan and the United States remain friendly. Despite reports from Europe, Katsura denies that Japan is preparing for war.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-10-20
Secretary of State Root presents his thoughts on matters discussed in President Roosevelt’s previous letters. Topics include whether to send a minister for Abyssinia, Japan’s rescheduling of their planned exposition, Ambassador William Woodville Rockhill’s report on the Lamas, the situation on the Mexican frontier, and the renomination of Governor Charles Evans Hughes.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-08-23