Your TR Source
Whitelaw Reid writes to President Roosevelt to discuss Great Britain’s opinion of the peace treaty between Japan and Russia. Reid relays in detail his conversation with King Edward VII.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-09-11
Assistant Secretary of State Peirce forwards to President Roosevelt a message from Baron Roman Romanovich Rosen concerning the conditions of the armistice between Japan and Russia.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-09-01
Whitelaw Reid discusses with President Roosevelt a conversation he had with Ronald Craufurd Munro Ferguson regarding British and American politics. He also discusses Great Britain’s treaty with Japan and expresses his hope that the British provided at least a hint of such an agreement with the president. He includes a lengthy, handwritten addition congratulating Roosevelt on his coordination of the peace conference.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-09-02
The peace conference has adjourned until Monday. Sergei Witte possesses instructions not to commit to any payments beyond those necessary for upkeep of prisoners of war.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-08-26
John Callan O’Laughlin reports to his friend President Roosevelt from the Portsmouth Peace Conference which is attempting to end the Russo-Japanese War. O’Laughlin encourages Roosevelt to effect a temporary adjournment, as peace talks may have reached a stalemate. Japan refuses any concessions regarding the Island of Sakhalin, and Russia refuses to pay indemnities on principle.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-08-27
John Callan O’Laughlin reports to President Roosevelt from the Portsmouth Peace Conference, which was attempting to end the Russo-Japanese War. O’Laughlin says he is glad Roosevelt was able to secure an adjournment for a few days, as negotiations had reached a stalemate and Roosevelt needs time to communicate with the Russian and Japanese governments. O’Laughlin says the Russian Tsar refuses to pay any indemnities on principle, while Japan demands payment on principle, but the reporter tells Roosevelt they may be able to reach a separate agreement about the money later. If the belligerents try to leave the conference and restart the war, O’Laughlin says Roosevelt might make a statement that they are merely fighting over money to get public opinion involved.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-08-27
Herbert H. D. Peirce reports that a delay in peace talks may mean a new proposal is imminent, though John Callan O’Laughlin thinks an agreement is unlikely.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-08-27
Hermann Speck von Sternburg compliments President Roosevelt on the Russo-Japanese peace talks and suspects underhanded scheming. Speck discusses Germany’s actions in Morocco and the military history of the region.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-08-27
Kentarō Kaneko received President Roosevelt’s message and regrets the response of Russia to Roosevelt’s peace attempts. Enclosed is a telegram from Baron Komura.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-08-28
Assistant Secretary of State Peirce reports that peace talks have been delayed one day while Baron Kogoro Takahira awaits instructions from Japan.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-08-28
John Callan O’Laughlin credits President Roosevelt for establishing peace between Russia and Japan.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-08-29
Kentarō Kaneko passed along President Roosevelt’s message to Baron Komura. Komura states that Russia has refused the Japanese compromise and postponed talks because of some “new event,” likely referring to Russian Prime Minister Sergei Witte’s proposal that Japan keep Sakhalin Island and drop its claims for reparations. Kaneko clarifies that Japan has actually already surrendered half the island of Sakhalin, and demands payment, not indemnity. Kaneko believes this is reasonable and wishes that Roosevelt would explain this to the senator.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-08-23
John Callan O’Laughlin reports to Benjamin F. Barnes from the Portsmouth Peace Conference, which was seeking to end the Russo-Japanese War. He reports on the Russian reaction to President Roosevelt’s statement that Japan’s proposal regarding the Island of Sakhalin was moderate.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-08-24
John Callan O’Laughlin reports to President Roosevelt from the Portsmouth Peace Conference which seeks to end the Russo-Japanese War. O’Laughlin hears that the Russians are critical of Roosevelt’s statement that Japan’s demands regarding the Island of Sakhalin are “moderate”. He believes some Russians suspect that Roosevelt has taken the side of the Japanese and will force Russia to meet their demands. O’Laughlin reminds Roosevelt that part of Russian diplomat Sergei Witte’s mission is to create pro-Russian sentiment in America.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-08-24
George von Lengerke Meyer discussed peace settlements with Czar Nicholas II. Nicholas would rather continue fighting until a permanent peace can be agreed upon than accept an unpleasant settlement. William II encourages peace. Meyer encloses several examples of Russian sentiment from newspapers.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-08-25
President Roosevelt directs Herbert H. D. Peirce to communicate with Sergei Witte to determine whether A. Maurice Low’s statement was made with authority. If Witte authorizes the statement, then Roosevelt will communicate with Jutarō Komura to try to negotiate a limit to the indemnity that Russia will be made to pay.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-08-25
Walter Wellman compliments President Roosevelt’s ability to establish peace between Russia and Japan, and offers his assistance in any possible way. Wellman encloses a suggestion for a working peace agreement.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-08-21
John Callan O’Laughlin reports to President Roosevelt from the Portsmouth Peace Conference seeking to end the Russo-Japanese War. O’Laughlin says that Sergei Witte claims he is no longer Russia’s plenipotentiary in the negotiations, and that the leadership in St. Petersburg, Russia, is unlikely to pay anything resembling indemnities to Japan. O’Laughlin also states that Japan’s emissary Baron Kogoro Takahira says the situation is hopeless, but O’Laughlin believes this is posturing to show the Russians that Japan is not going to make any more concessions.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-08-23
Baron Rosen informs President Roosevelt that Czar Nicholas II appreciates Roosevelt’s insights, but does not believe they would “bring about the desired result.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-08-23
Isaac Seligman reports on a productive conference with Sergei Vitte, wherein they discussed the mistreatment of Jews in Russia. The conference demanded immediate freedom from persecution for Russian Jews, and Vitte will discuss this with the government assembly.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-08-17