Waldersee, Alfred, Graf von, 1832-1904

German Emperor Wilhelm II holds the strings to a wooden jumping toy identified as “V. Waldersee,” field marshal in China; the latter wears a military uniform, decorated with many medals, and saluting with his left hand.

comments and context

Comments and Context

Field Marshall Alfred Ludwig Heinrich Karl Graf von Waldersee, Chief of the Imperial German General Staff, was appointed to lead the eight-nation coordinated military effort against the Boxer Rebellion in China. Among other aspects of their revolt, the Boxers had besieged the colony of international embassies. In fact his arrival in China followed the relief of the embassy compounds, but von Waldersee did pursue elements of the Boxers and defeated those pockets of rebellion. The German Kaiser found much to brag about in the person of von Waldersee.

Senator Lodge discusses a number of topics regarding the late Secretary of State John Hay. Lodge bemoans the editing of a publication of Hay’s letters, claiming that Hay was “one of the best if not the best letter writer of his time,” but the publication does not do him justice. He reminisces on the many men of letters he has known in his life, and believes that Hay was the most “brilliant, humorous, sympathetic, [and] witty” among them. Lodge holds more criticism for Hay in his role as a secretary of state, discussing how Hay bungled multiple treaties, took credit for accomplishments that were not his own, and formed poor relations with the Senate. 

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1909-02-14

Ambassador Griscom relays a message from Japan’s foreign minister to Acting Secretary of State Loomis regarding arrangements for a visit to Japan by Secretary of War William H. Taft and Alice Roosevelt.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-07-12