War, Maritime (International law)

James F. J. Archibald reports to President Roosevelt on the submarine defense of the Pacific Coast and the Hawaiian Islands. Archibald believes America to be “so far behind” other nations in this area of marine warfare—particularly Great Britain, France, and Japan. Upon visiting principal cities and harbors, he finds the Pacific Coast and Hawaiian Islands in a “deplorably defenseless position” and notes that the people living in these areas feel vulnerable because of the large extent of “oriental labor and immigration.” Whereas guns and mines are not ideal defense weapons because of the foggy weather, Archibald feels the Pacific Coast is prime territory for the use of submarines due to the large harbors, climates, and topography of the region. Archibald details the number of submarines and personnel he believes to be needed at each of four geographic locations–the Puget Sound, the mouth of the Columbia River, the San Francisco Bay, and the San Diego Bay–as well as the costs of these fortifications, and he emphasizes that his opinions are shared by military officers and civilian experts.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-01-02

Creator(s)

Archibald, James F. J. (Francis Jewell), 1871-

Cecil Spring Rice explains the political maneuvering he is witnessing in St. Petersburg. Germany has been seeking an alliance with Russia, much to France’s dismay. Germany and France are promising to help Russia defeat Japan. As Japan suffers under a blockade enforced by Russia, the United States and Britain will be unable to prove their support of Japan. Japan will have to acquiesce to Russian demands. Britain and the United States will be excluded from international negotiations and will find themselves increasingly isolated. Spring Rice writes that Kaiser Wilhelm has been working to create a good relationship with Emperor Nicholas II so as to be allowed more influence over Europe. The two rulers seem to be preparing to support each other in efforts to quell internal revolutions, too. Spring Rice disparages Ambassador McCormick’s abilities to be the representative of the United States in Russia.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-12-07

Creator(s)

Spring Rice, Cecil, Sir, 1859-1918

Secretary of State Hay addresses the question of “visit, refuge or asylum of a belligerent ship of war in a neutral port,” quoting from the Chinese Neutrality Regulations. There are three cases when a belligerent ship may enter a neutral port. Hay discusses disarming belligerent ships.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-08-18

Creator(s)

Hay, John, 1838-1905

Neptune, the Roman god of the sea, salutes a Japanese admiral on a gunboat. In the background are the ruins of a Russian naval fleet.

comments and context

Collection

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

Creation Date

1904-03-02

Theodore Roosevelt does not want to be considered in next spring’s primaries. He hopes that the Republican Party will realize that the Progressive Party platform of 1912 was “mere Abraham Lincolnism” and a decent man will be nominated. Roosevelt believes President Wilson should be protesting against the German sinking of passenger ships. British actions should be ignored until action is taken against the “infinitely worse deeds of the Germans.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-03-31

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Theodore Roosevelt understands that the United States could help stop the war by prohibiting the shipment of supplies. However, he argues this would be dishonorable as it would mostly harm the allies and benefit Germany. Roosevelt is “plain United States” and wants the country to do their duty towards other nations and to themselves. To do this, the country must be prepared and should have started months ago. The United States needs to prepare for self defense, judge other nations by their conduct, live up to their obligations, and “not be neutral between right and wrong.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-03-03

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Theodore Roosevelt is pleased that John St. Loe Strachey liked his book, America and the World War. He appreciates that Strachey loves the United States but understands this affection pales in comparison to the love Strachey feels for his own country. Roosevelt believes this is the attitude everyone should take. In the book, Roosevelt wanted to be just towards Germany but he feels that Great Britain was in the right. However, he warns against antagonizing the United States.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-02-22

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Theodore Roosevelt argues against the Shipping Bill and is concerned that the bill will put the United States on the “pathway toward war.” Purchasing interned ships of warring nations will “imperil the safety of the country.” Roosevelt describes the Wilson administration as “incompetent and incapable.” He does not trust the abilities of President Wilson or Secretary of State Bryan in the realm of foreign affairs.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-02-06

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

President Roosevelt informs Secretary of the Navy Metcalf that the directive from his predecessor, Charles J. Bonaparte, classifying medical ships as floating hospitals and placed under the command of a medical officer, is correct and will be enacted. The Army operates their medical ships in this way, and Roosevelt sees no reason the Navy cannot operate in this manner just as well. He provides precedents in American navies as well as international navies for operating this way, and points out that in times of war the presence of a line officer on the ship may imply a violation of the ship’s neutrality.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-01-04

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

This obituary illustrates the life of Rear Admiral Charles Stillman Sperry, U.S. Navy. His military history, personality, and effectiveness as a leader are all captured in this document. Most notably he is known for being a key mediator in many high tension situations in East Asia, and successfully prevent said conflicts from escalating.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-09

Creator(s)

Unknown

Jutaro¯ Komura discusses the situation concerning the Russian vessel of war Askold being repaired at the port of Shanghai. When it was discovered that the repairs would restore fighting power to the vessel, the Japanese Consul General at Shanghai warned the Taotai that the repairs were in violation of neutral obligations and requested that the necessary repairs to make the vessel seaworthy be completed within two days. The Taotai replied that they had brought these demands to the Russian Consul but that the captain refused to leave the port or dismantle the vessel. However, the Chinese Government agreed to make demands upon the Russian minister and instruct the Taotai.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-08-21

Creator(s)

Komura, Jutarō, 1855-1911

Secretary of State Hay informs President Roosevelt that he is transmitting a memorandum on the “present attitude of international law towards questions of refuge and asylum,” most likely referring to the question of visit, refuge, or asylum of a belligerent ship of war in a neutral port.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-08-19

Creator(s)

Hay, John, 1838-1905

This telegram provides information on the views of the Japanese Imperial Government in regard to the disposition of the Russian vessel of war which took refuge at Shanghai. The international character of the Shanghai port is taken into consideration. Minister Komura asks Baron Takahira to notify the Taotai of the instructions and report on the results.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-08-14

Creator(s)

Komura, Jutarō, 1855-1911

Uncle Sam lies asleep in a chair with a large eagle perched on a stand next to him. He is dreaming of conquests and annexations, asserting his “Monroe Doctrine” rights, becoming master of the seas, putting John Bull in his place, and building “formidable and invulnerable coast defenses.” On the floor by the chair are jingoistic and yellow journalism newspapers.

Collection

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

Creation Date

1895-11-13

Creator(s)

Keppler, Udo J., 1872-1956

Theodore Roosevelt agrees with William Roscoe Thayer regarding German submarine attacks on peaceful vessels. He does not understand how the country can refrain from taking action.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1915-04-09

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919