William II, German Emperor, 1859-1941

Letter from Edward Grey to Theodore Roosevelt

British Foreign Secretary Grey informs President Roosevelt that Ambassador H. Mortimer Durand will be replaced, and while he understands Roosevelt’s desire to have Arthur Lee in his place, that is politically impossible. Temporarily, Esmé Howard will be sent to Washington as Councillor to the Embassy. Grey appreciated Roosevelt’s explanation of his telegram to German Emperor William after the Portsmouth Peace. Grey explains that his foreign policy is not anti-German, but to be independent he feels it necessary to strengthen the entente with France and come to an agreement with Russia. Grey believes that his generation has had enough of war, and the British people feel a special bond with the United States. Grey hopes the dispute between Canada and the United States over Newfoundland will soon be settled. He also adds that many in Great Britain are upset over reports of slavery and plunder in the Belgian Congo.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-12-04

Letter from John William Burgess to Theodore Roosevelt

John William Burgess heard that President Roosevelt disapproved of Burgess’s recent address, so Burgess is sending a copy of the speech to show he was not speaking for the president or as a representative of the country, even hypothetically. Burgess is pained to be “any annoyance” to Roosevelt.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-11-02

Letter from Hermann Speck von Sternburg to Theodore Roosevelt

Ambassador Sternburg sends President Roosevelt some information about the Japanese fleet at the request of German Emperor William II.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-11-06

Letter from John William Burgess to Theodore Roosevelt

Professor Burgess reports to President Roosevelt that he delivered a speech yesterday to the German royal family, the ministries, the University of Berlin staff, and other invited guests. Following his address, Emperor Wilhelm II gave a “short stirring speech” and led “three mighty cheers for Theodore Roosevelt” that shook the room. Burgess assures Roosevelt that no such thing had happened there before and suggests that he read newspaper accounts of the address. Finally, Burgess reports that the Roosevelt Room at the University is complete and describes it for the President, noting especially that the portraits “look most imposing” and the room “could not be finer.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-10-28

Letter from Nicholas Murray Butler to Theodore Roosevelt

Nicholas Murray Butler thinks Herbert Parsons showed far more power of leadership than he had anticipated, and the Republican party has been saved from making a critical blunder. Butler believes that the Republican party will win, but he recognizes the intensity of the political struggle ahead. Professor Hermann Schumacher gave a successful inaugural address, and Butler finds him personally very agreeable.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-09-28

Letter from Henry White to Theodore Roosevelt

Henry White received President Roosevelt’s letter but has waited until reaching Rome to answer it. White’s views on disarmament were sent in a confidential letter through the British Embassy’s dispatch bag. He has omitted any reference to Roosevelt’s observations about the German emperor although he has borrowed some of Roosevelt’s phraseology. White writes that Roosevelt’s action in Cuba was met with “universal admiration.” White saw the Chilean minister yesterday who said that Elihu Root’s visit there brought great comfort and was epoch making. Other topics in the letter include the German and Jesuit influence in the Vatican and the reputation of the emperor as an influencer, and White’s visit with the King of Italy and their discussion of new literacy-based immigration laws.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-09-20

Letter from Whitelaw Reid to Theodore Roosevelt

Ambassador Reid has forwarded President Roosevelt’s letter to the people of Salisbury, and he is sure it will promote kindly feeling. Reid hopes that they may be able to bring the “slow-moving” Colonial Office to an early agreement, as the only currently contentious issue between the parties is that of purse-nets. Reports of William Jennings Bryan’s speech in Madison Square Garden produced instant revulsion in Great Britain, as the public thought he “dished” himself by proposing government ownership of the railways. Reid has not yet had a chance to discuss Roosevelt’s letter to Andrew Carnegie with Sir Edward Grey, but plans to bring it up at first chance. Frederick Scott Oliver, author of the new book about Hamilton, does not seem to be a prominent literary figure among the Englishmen Reid has asked. Reid has been watching the Cuban situation with great anxiety, as he has always believed the United States made foolish decisions about Cuba at the beginning of the Spanish-American War.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-09-14

Letter from Leo Vossen to Theodore Roosevelt

Leo Vossen, a representative of the German government, directly requests an interview with President Roosevelt to discuss tariff matters between Germany and the United States.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-09-13

Letter from Henry White to Theodore Roosevelt

Ambassador Henry White reports to President Roosevelt on a week he spent with King Victor Emmanuel III of Italy. White and Emmanuel discussed international disarmament, about which both were skeptical. They talked about Vatican relations with many nations, especially Italy and France, and of how the Jesuits were involved. White also describes hunting ibex and shares that the king offered to send Roosevelt some ibex heads.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-08-29

Letter from Frederick W. Whitridge to Theodore Roosevelt

Railroad president Frederick W. Whitridge informs President Roosevelt that he is sending the Roosevelt family a hamper of grouse. He also shares a conversation he heard regarding German interests in Brazil.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-08-24

Letter from Andrew Carnegie to Theodore Roosevelt

Andrew Carnegie agrees with President Roosevelt on disarmament, although he recognizes that it will be difficult to formulate a satisfactory plan. Carnegie says Roosevelt’s declaration that the United States does not seek to increase the present Navy but only to maintain it will be the great force making for agreement. Carnegie criticizes the practice of failing to give previous notice of war before attacking, and presents the “League of Peace” idea as the easiest and best solution. He encourages Roosevelt to be the one to formally propose it, as the United States is the only great power “free from international jealousies.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-08-27

Letter from Nicholas Murray Butler to Theodore Roosevelt

Nicholas Murray Butler notes that President Roosevelt was correct in his assessment of matters concerning Maksim Gorky and that there is “clearly” a “break-up of all order and restraint” going on in Russia. Butler also excitedly tells of “some most astonishing things” going on in Kassel, Germany, in relation to Herman Ridder of the Staats-Zeitung. After struggling for an imperial audience with Kaiser Wilhelm II, Ridder was helped by American ambassador Charlemagne Tower to get access. However, when Ridder arrived and did not see as much of the Kaiser as he would have liked, Ridder fabricated a story about his visit and what the Kaiser told him, which was printed in the papers. Butler shares the press statement from the Palace, which reacted by contradicting Ridder’s claims. Butler is excited to see what the American papers will publish in relation to the incident since Ridder telegraphed his own story to America.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-08-23

Letter from Whitelaw Reid to Theodore Roosevelt

Ambassador Reid sends President Roosevelt clippings from British newspapers that he thinks will interest him, and he informs Roosevelt of the help he has recently given to Francis Cockrell’s son after he was involved in a car accident in Switzerland.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-08-23

Letter from Nicholas Murray Butler to Theodore Roosevelt

Nicholas Murray Butler recently dined with German Emperor William II, who asked him to send President Roosevelt a special message of his regard. Butler additionally sends Roosevelt an interesting article regarding Roosevelt’s historical writing. Regarding Roosevelt’s previous mention of taxation, Butler comments that he hopes to be back in the United States in time to be of use to Roosevelt, but suggests that in the meantime Roosevelt consult with some experts on the topic. He is enjoying the rest he is getting while abroad.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-08-12

Letter from Whitelaw Reid to Theodore Roosevelt

Ambassador Reid reports to President Roosevelt about affairs in Europe. Reid’s impression is that neither Great Britain nor Germany want tensions to escalate to a war, and he is still trying to get more details about their negotiations. Reid informs Roosevelt that the King seems to be in ill health. He is also worried that Roosevelt’s friend, Silas McBee, is stirring up trouble by seeming to interfere in debates about the Education Bill. Reid referred the Grocers’ Federation to Secretary of Agriculture James Wilson and Secretary of Commerce and Labor Victor Howard Metcalf so that they might receive more information about complying with America’s meat inspection laws, and he enclosed a copy of a speech he gave at Cambridge on the American Revolution. Reid concludes by saying that he hopes the British government will help the United States settle disputes with Canada.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-08-16

Letter from Henry Howard to Theodore Roosevelt

Henry Howard, Chairman of the Eastern Yacht Club Regatta Committee, reports that all matters in connection with the German-American races are progressing most satisfactorily, and that there is more general interest in the matter than in any yachting event which has ever taken place in New England. Howard sends a small book containing the rules and conditions of the match, and notes that every effort is being made to give the match an “international character.” Howard further presents the reasons he thinks might compel President Roosevelt to attend the event.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-07-27

Letter from Whitelaw Reid to Theodore Roosevelt

Ambassador Reid tells President Roosevelt about a recent meeting between William Jennings Bryan and King Edward VII, as well as the general attitude toward Bryan among Englishmen after a series of speeches he gave in London. Reid also mentions that he will be sending a report on a conversation he had with Sir Edward Grey about a notice sent to Russia of England’s desire to have “a reduction of armaments made a subject for the next Hague Conference.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-07-27

Letter from Francis B. Loomis to Theodore Roosevelt

Francis B. Loomis suggests to President Roosevelt that he meet with the leaders in Europe in Azores in order to discuss a variety of topics such as foreign trade and the future relationship with China. Loomis thinks Roosevelt could accomplish more by meeting in person with the leaders than in using existing diplomatic channels, and could save the Hague Conference. Loomis suggests that the American people will feel a sense of pride in knowing their country is a “world power.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-07-11

Letter from Whitelaw Reid to Theodore Roosevelt

Ambassador Reid discusses international relations with President Roosevelt including the situations in Algeciras and Morocco. Reid also writes about King Edward VII and the British press, and Kaiser Wilhelm II and the German press. Apparently, tensions are beginning to grow between England and Germany in the European arena.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-06-19

Letter from Whitelaw Reid to Theodore Roosevelt

Ambassador Reid sends a newspaper clipping from a British newspaper to President Roosevelt, asking if he is correct in assuming that its description of Roosevelt’s telegram to Emperor Wilhelm is “unfair and unfounded.” Reid agrees to “look after” Harriet Shonts and her daughters when they arrive in England if the courts are open, but mentions that it can be difficult to accommodate American visitors when there are fewer courts being held. Reid also comments upon the recent Algeciras Conference.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-04-18