Your TR Source
Translation of a statement in Russia’s Official Messenger, reporting on the peace negotiations and settlement between Japan and Russia.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-09-01
President Roosevelt reports that he is struggling to get his two treaties ratified by the Senate and has stopped his broad-sword and single-stick play in favor of riding and walking. He hopes that Billings will allow Kermit and Ted to start home Saturday evening since Roosevelt is leaving for his western tour right after the Senate adjourns.
1903-03-15
The United States will hold the Chinese government responsible for any losses incurred due to the anti-American boycott. Despite reports, Japan has not been aiding China. Transcribed are three messages to the Foreign Office and two newspaper articles, from the North China Daily Times and the Chefoo Daily News.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-08-17
The governments of the United Kingdom and Japan agree to maintain peace in East Asia and India, ensure independence of and equal trade opportunities in China, and maintain each party’s rights within that region. Great Britain recognizes Japan’s influence over Korea, and Japan recognizes Great Britain’s influence in India. The parties agree to discuss any encroachment on these terms and defend them if threatened. This agreement will remain in force for ten years.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-08-12
Lansdowne, Henry Charles Keith Petty-FitzMaurice, Marquess of, 1845-1927; Hayashi, Tadasu, 1850-1913
President Roosevelt thanks Maurice Francis Egan for sending him an article. Roosevelt comments on the character of Oregon Senator John M. Gearin and criticizes his involvement with “fractional politics” regarding the Santo Domingo treaty.
1906-03-05
Editorial calls for the impeachment of Woodrow Wilson after his violation of the Constitution and the Hay-Pauncefort treaty in allowing Colombia to use the Panama Canal free of tolls.
Sagamore Hill National Historic Site
1914-05-2
President Roosevelt tells British Ambassador to the United States Grey that Rennel Rodd was offered a position interacting with the US government, but turned it down. Roosevelt contrasts the attitudes and relations of a number of different countries with America and England, and takes a specific focus on Japan. Roosevelt notes that Japan has continued preparing for war over the last decade, and writes that there will be industrial competition between Japan and European countries. He also wonders if they are planning on invading America, Germany, or the Philippines. Roosevelt wants the United States and Japan to sign a treaty stating they will keep their citizens out of each other’s labor markets. Roosevelt closes by remarking on the similarities in governmental thinking and military approach between the United States and England.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-12-19
President Roosevelt suggests Henry Clay MacDowell for judge in Virginia. Ted Roosevelt has broken his collarbone playing football. It is not a serious injury and Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt is relieved as she believes he will not be able to play for the remainder of the season. Mr. Morgan is in favor of the treaty and believes opposition to it will crumble. Edward Oliver Wolcott shall have the Colorado appointments but he must produce men that live up to Roosevelt’s standards.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1901-10-19
President Roosevelt acknowledges receipt of Ambassador Choate’s letter, and hopes to see him at the White House soon. He is pleased by the Isthmian Canal treaty, and believes Secretary of State John Hay “is already satisfied of having stayed with me.” Roosevelt was interested to read Choate’s account of King Edward VII’s remarks about him, and asks Choate to convey his personal greeting and regards to the King.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1901-10-09
George H. Boyd writes to Theodore Roosevelt at the direction of Senator Henry Cabot Lodge and encloses Treaties for Roosevelt to view.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-10-06
Jacob A. Riis remembers that The Times did not support Theodore Roosevelt on arbitration treaties and so shares the editorial from The Times today.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-09-30
Victor Morawetz agrees with Theodore Roosevelt’s published conclusions on the proposed arbitration treaty. He asks to call Roosevelt at The Outlook office.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-09-21
George LeRoy Brown acknowledges receipt of Theodore Roosevelt’s letter and discusses the concept of compulsory versus voluntary arbitration. He quips that it’s just as important to “go-a-fishing” as it is to go to school. He also believes daily exercise is necessary for building character, but thinks convincing older army officers might be difficult.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-09-18
Herman Bernstein writes to Theodore Roosevelt after having read Roosevelt’s article “Peace of Righteousness.” Bernstein recalls having an agreeable meeting with Roosevelt, during which Roosevelt informed Bernstein he cannot, as a former President, write publicly on foreign matters. Bernstein urges him to reconsider.
Bernstein states that he understands foreign nations have no international legal standing to interfere with “Jewish massacres”, and that foreign nations cannot criticize the lack of reforms that had been codified in the Manifesto of October 17, 1905. However, Bernstein claims that Russia violated the Russo-America treaty of 1832 due to their treatment of Jewish Americans and states that by allowing in to continue, “Uncle Sam… should permit his ‘face to be slapped’ ” – quoting Roosevelt’s own words.
John F. Healy sends Theodore Roosevelt a letter urging him to oppose the 1911 Arbitration Treaty, disagreeing with Roosevelt’s exception for England.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-09-11
Ambassador David E. Thompson shares details of his meeting with Mexican President Porfirio Diaz concerning the political upheaval in Central America. Diaz would welcome any assistance that Roosevelt could provide him if the situation was to worsen but maintains that he would have to seek consent from the Mexican Congress and his people if he were to consider armed intervention. The opinion of both Diaz and Minister Ignacio Mariscal was to let the Central American states “fight for a little” then escort them to a peaceful resolution.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-03-07
Ambassador Tower passes along Christmas wishes from Kaiser Wilhelm II to President Roosevelt. Tower also provides an update on the progress of the Tariff Commission investigating economic relations between the United States and Germany.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-01-04
President Roosevelt handled the Bellamy Storer affair exactly as John St. Loe Strachey expected. Strachey hopes that the Americans are able to make a model treaty with the Japanese, as he believes that England may confront similar issues soon. Strachey and his wife are traveling to Berlin to visit friends and he asks for a letter of introduction to Ambassador Charlemagne Tower. Strachey also asks Roosevelt what he thought about his recent article in the Spectator about the proposal to create representative government in India. In a handwritten postscript, Strachey mentions that he received a “capital letter” from General Leonard Wood, and he hopes to meet Wood in the United States.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-12-31
John William Burgess, a prominent American political scientist, reports to President Roosevelt on the success of the Roosevelt Professorship, and the exchange program, at Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universita¨t Berlin. Burgess describes the impact of his inaugural address as Roosevelt Professor, that it was pre-approved by both the Prussian Ministry of Education and by Emperor Wilhelm II’s former tutor Georg Hinzpeter, and well-received by the Germans and by the Emperor himself. He says those who objected were Americans and Englishmen who oppose friendship between the United States and Germany. He says this press completely misrepresented what was said through the “journalistic hysteria” that was published in American papers. Burgess reports that the Roosevelt Professorship is now “on a foundation which cannot be shaken.” Burgess also expresses his view the issue of states’ rights and federal treaties, namely that the Constitution gives the president treaty-making powers which the citizens of the states are bound by just as they are to laws of Congress.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-12-18
William Loeb writes to Assistant Secretary of State Forster with a message for him to deliver to Japanese Minister Kogoro Takahira. President Roosevelt explains the situation regarding Russian plenipotentiaries. Russia has agreed to move the peace talks to Washington, D.C., from the Hague, Netherlands. Roosevelt believes that Russia indeed intends to make peace with Japan and he feels it would be best to grant an armistice if one is requested.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-07-02