Vitte, S. I︠U︡. (Sergeĭ I︠U︡lʹevich), graf, 1849-1915

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Oscar S. Straus

President Roosevelt writes to Oscar S. Straus about the international situation, and while Russia has promised to take steps to prevent trouble being done to its Jewish population, Roosevelt also comments on the impossibility of interfering in other countries, such as the Congo Free State or Turkey. Issuing petitions can sometimes be harmful unless the United States is able to back up the petitions with military force, which it is unlikely to do. Roosevelt knows he does not have to convince Straus of this, but some of Straus’s friends “need to have these considerations ever clearly before their eyes.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-04-10

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Cecil Spring Rice

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.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-11-01

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Jutarō Komura

President Roosevelt hopes that Baron Komura’s health continues to improve. Columbia University president Nicholas Murray Butler would like Komura and Sergei Witte to receive honorary degrees from the school, and Roosevelt hopes they will accept. In a postscript, Roosevelt suggests that Komura speak with his doctors about taking a cruise on the presidential yacht the Mayflower as soon as he’s fully recovered.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-09-19

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to George Otto Trevelyan

President Roosevelt reflects on the peace between Japan and Russia, especially discussing the Russian diplomat Sergei Witte and the future of Russia. He believes that Russia needs to take steps towards liberty and self-government. Roosevelt also tells George Otto Trevelyan about several books he has been reading and thanks him for his letter about the late Secretary of State John Hay. Roosevelt wishes that Trevelyan could come stay at the White House, and hopes that when his term as president is done, he can travel around the world as a private citizen, without having to attend official functions.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-09-12

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to John St. Loe Strachey

President Roosevelt reflects on the terms of the peace between Russia and Japan. He believes that each country did the right thing in giving certain concessions to the other side to end the war. Roosevelt ponders the implications of peace for both Russia and Japan, believing Russia will have to move toward self-government, while Japan must deal with riots by its people. In despite of this, Roosevelt admires and respects Japan and sees her entrance into “the circle of great civilized powers” as a good thing overall.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-09-11

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Nicholas II, Emperor of Russia

President Roosevelt tells Czar Nicholas II of Russia that he is “delighted” that peace has been made between Russia and Japan. He is sending the Czar copies of the letters he sent to Japan during the negotiations. Roosevelt wishes the best for the Czar and all Russians.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-09-06

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Herbert H. D. Peirce

President Roosevelt gives Herbert H. D. Peirce a message to communicate to Sergei Witte, Roosevelt believes Witte misunderstood his previous message, and attempts to make clear his proposal for Russia paying an indemnity to regain control of the northern part of Sakhalin Island and repatriate military prisoners. The exact price can be decided through further negotiations with Japan–the current issue is simply to agree in principle to such an exchange. Roosevelt believes Russian Emperor Nicholas II should be shown the telegram directly to avoid miscommunication.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-08-23

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Cecil Spring Rice

President Roosevelt asks that Cecil Spring Rice give his regards to Lord Henry Charles Keith Petty-FitzMaurice Lansdowne. Roosevelt writes at length about the current state of international affairs and of relationships between different nations. He feels that it is not in Japan’s interest to extend the Russo-Japanese War for another year and explains his actions in pressing for peace negotiations between the two powers. Roosevelt also discusses his efforts urging the United States to interpret the Monroe Doctrine in an active way and remarks upon the recent death of Secretary of State John Hay.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-07-24

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Henry Cabot Lodge

President Roosevelt was very interested in Senator Lodge’s talk with Belgian King Léopold II. Roosevelt also liked Lodge’s thoughts of John Hay, although he feels that they should not be melancholy, as Hay had had a long, successful life. He reflects on his choice of Elihu Root as the new Secretary of State. There is no new information regarding the Russian and Japanese peace negotiations. Roosevelt is enjoying his time at Oyster Bay with his family.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-07-18

Letter from Herman Bernstein to Theodore Roosevelt

Herman Bernstein thanks Theodore Roosevelt for his note regarding Sergei Vitte’s message. He also hopes that Roosevelt will address the “passport question” which involves the State Department and the Jewish Committee. Bernstein also includes “horrible and strange” articles on Russia.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-08-29

Letter from Herman Bernstein to Theodore Roosevelt

Herman Bernstein shares an excerpt of a letter he received from Sergei Vitte denouncing the rumors that he wrote a pamphlet criticizing Roosevelt’s role in the Portsmouth Conference. Bernstein asks if Roosevelt read his article on the passport question.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-08-15

Memorandum of conversation with Count Komura, Minister for Foreign Affairs

John Callan O’Laughlin recounts his conversation with Jutarō Komura, the Japanese Minister for Foreign Affairs. Komura assured O’Laughlin of Japan’s commitment to the Open Door in China, although its relations with Russia mean that they have interests in Manchuria. Komura also says that Japan has been discouraging immigration to Hawaii and the United States, although the country would like to be treated as an equal with other nations by the United States.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-10-21

Letter from Charles S. Francis to Theodore Roosevelt

Ambassador Francis writes to President Roosevelt to explain that normally he does not conduct newspaper interviews but in this circumstance he felt offering a statement in writing was acceptable. He also hopes Roosevelt will approve of his statement, given to a Viennese newspaper and La Rousse of St. Petersburg, Russia. In the copy of his statement, Francis describes Japan and the United States as good friends, and describes Russia as “their old ally and firm friend.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-01-18

Letter from Cecil Spring Rice to Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt

Cecil Spring Rice thanks Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt for her letter and gives personal updates on his life. He wishes he could bring his wife to see Roosevelt, but she is in London and is expecting a baby soon. Spring Rice wishes he could be with her, but is doing his duty in St. Petersburg. He comments on the state of politics in Russia, particularly between Sergei Witte and Pyotr Durnovo. The Emperor believes the army is loyal to him, but Spring Rice believes that the situation will not last very long and that a revolution will come sooner or later. He mentions the San Francisco earthquake, commenting on how well the military responded and how quickly the city is likely to be rebuilt.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-04-25

Letter from Andrew Dickson White to Richard Watson Gilder

Andrew Dickson White discusses the political turmoil in Russia and the problems Russians cause in the United States and abroad. White thinks it wise that Richard Watson Gilder, editor of The Century Magazine, has avoided involvement with Maxim Gorky, and he wishes that Mark Twain and William Dean Howells had done the same.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-04-18

Letter from George von Lengerke Meyer to Theodore Roosevelt

Ambassador Meyer writes to President Roosevelt comparing the situation in Russia to events in France during the French Revolution. Meyer goes into detail about the current political crisis in Russia, mentioning the need for reform, the need for improved conditions for the military, and the public opinion of the czar. Meyer describes the shutting down of newspaper offices, the imprisonment of editors, and strikes that could take place. He suggests that an American military attache could be of great help to him, as communication and media in St. Petersburg are not reliable.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-12-20

Letter from Owen Wister to Theodore Roosevelt

Western writer Owen Wister sends President Roosevelt his congratulations on the upcoming marriage of Alice Roosevelt to Nicholas Longworth, whom Wister has liked since first meeting him at Harvard’s Porcellian Club. Wister apologizes for not having written sooner, as he was laid up with sickness for a few months and is only just recovering at a resort in Browns Mills, New Jersey. Wister hopes to visit the Roosevelts soon, to discuss Russian Ambassador Vitte, matters in Philadelphia where his wife, Mary Channing Wister, has been active, and the unfortunate passing of their friend, former Rough Rider Woodbury Kane. Wister concludes by wishing the Roosevelts a merry Christmas.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-12-17

Letter from George von Lengerke Meyer to Theodore Roosevelt

Ambassador Meyer writes to President Roosevelt regarding Meyer’s discussion of the Russian situation with French official Maurice Rouvier. Meyer mentions that Rouvier is concerned about the impact of the Russian securities downfall on France’s financial situation, yet German official Bernhard Bülow has a more positive outlook. Next, Meyer describes his dinner meeting with Emperor William II who commented on Roosevelt’s cablegram messages, remarks, and stance regarding a tariff and treaty. Meyer then goes into detail about Russian strikes and the potential plans for deploying Russian Cossack troops to help keep things in order.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-12-06

Letter from Cecil Spring Rice to Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt

Cecil Spring Rice provides Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt with a detailed synopsis of the ongoing turmoil in Russia, including student demonstrations, labor strikes, and violent police reprisals. Spring Rice believes Roosevelt has seen accounts of the “inconceivable brutality” of the attacks on students and Jews, and that the “accounts are not exaggerated.” He believes the army is the only organized force left in Russia but wonders how long it will last. Spring Rice believes that no one either trusts or likes Sergei Vitte or his government and due to all the uncertainty “the forces of anarchy flourish.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-11-27

Letter from Cecil Spring Rice to Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt

Cecil Spring Rice describes in absorbing detail the latest events in Russia, including the General Strike, Count Witte’s negotiations with Emperor Nicholas II, and the public unrest. Spring Rice also describes how Grand Duke Nicolas planned to use Witte as a shield between the people and the throne because Witte was hated by the reactionaries and expendable. Also narrated are the actions of Dmitri Trepov and the strikers.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-11-01