William II, German Emperor, 1859-1941

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Theodore Roosevelt

President Roosevelt tells his son, Theodore Roosevelt, about recent goings-on at the White House over the holidays. Many of the Roosevelt children have been attending a number of parties, which has affected their daily schedule. He describes a late-night party at the White House given by Kermit Roosevelt and Ethel Roosevelt that disturbed his and Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt’s sleep, in which he had to personally intervene to make them go to bed. Roosevelt has been riding, and had the opportunity to test some rifles with Kermit that they will be bringing on their upcoming safari. He has recently been asked by Johann Heinrich von Bernstorff, the German ambassador, to give a lecture in Berlin when he is in Europe, but it is the last one that he plans to schedule.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1909-01-03

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to William H. Taft

President Roosevelt sends President-Elect Taft a letter from George W. Goethals regarding the construction of the Panama Canal. Roosevelt does not believe there is any substance in the push to change the type of canal, but is glad nonetheless that Taft will be visiting the region with six engineers to examine the situation. Roosevelt recently received a nice letter from German Emperor William II, who mentioned his wish for friendship and cooperation with Taft’s administration.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1909-01-04

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Whitelaw Reid

President Roosevelt is glad the furor over the results of some of the Olympic games is dying down, and specifically remarks on the results of the marathon. Additionally, Roosevelt explains to Ambassador Reid the situation surrounding a newspaper interview with German Emperor William II. William Bayard Hale petitioned the White House to help with gaining admission to the Kaiser, which was refused, but persisted in getting access. The resulting interview spoke on a number of sensitive matters and “lookt like a pipe dream,” and while Roosevelt believed it was accurate, advised the New York Times not to publish it.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1909-01-06

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to David Jayne Hill

President Roosevelt asks Ambassador Hill to give German Emperor William II a personal letter whenever it is convenient.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-12-28

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Whitelaw Reid

President Roosevelt was very interested in what Ambassador Reid wrote to him about the planned reform of the House of Lords, and about German Emperor William II. Roosevelt tells Reid about some of his own foreign relations with Germany, intimating that he used the United States Navy to help shore up relations with Germany during the Venezuela crisis. He qualifies that such threats of force must be “accompanied with every manifestation of politeness and friendship,” and that he follows the policy of “speaking softly and carrying a big stick.” Roosevelt additionally informs Reid of the route he plans to take on his way to Mombasa, and that he wishes to avoid official functions. He also hopes to avoid reporters.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-12-04

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Kermit Roosevelt

President Roosevelt celebrates Harvard’s victory over Yale in the football match. He tells his son Kermit that J. H. Patterson, who killed the man-eating lions of Tsavo, spent Friday at the White House. Carl Ethan Akeley, who has hunted elephants and rhinoceros, came to lunch the next day. Both gave valuable advice, and Roosevelt tells Kermit that they must be extremely cautious in Africa until they are used to what is being done. The arrangements are all made. Roosevelt also says that Kaiser William II has “come an awful cropper,” and been a “perfect fool.” The German people are finally angry about it. Roosevelt has finished the lectures he will be giving at Oxford and the Sorbonne. He hears that Senator Joseph Benson Foraker is preparing an attack against him, but he is indifferent.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-11-22

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Whitelaw Reid

President Roosevelt asks Ambassador Reid if he would be able to petition Lord Robert Offley Ashburton Crewe-Milnes to write to officials in Uganda that Roosevelt would appreciate being given a guide and information that would allow him to hunt a white rhinoceros or elephant. The current unrest in India concerns Roosevelt, and asks what the feelings of British officials are towards it. Roosevelt also remarks briefly on his plans to leave immediately after William H. Taft’s inauguration as president, and comments on a controversy that arose at the 1908 Olympic Games in London, which is still fostering some resentment between the two nations. If Roosevelt can secure a third specimen of the white rhinoceros, he would be happy to send it to the British Museum.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-11-26

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Theodore Roosevelt

President Roosevelt writes his son, Ted, about a variety of matters. He discusses the trouble that Emperor William II of Germany is in with both conservatives and socialists. Last year, he gave a damaging interview to American journalist William Bayard Hale, which Roosevelt intervened to prevent the New York Times from publishing. A portion was published in Century and suppressed by the Germans. Roosevelt reflects on the current state of the liberal and democratic movement, and believes that the situation is not as dire as in the French Revolution, or in 1840s America. He also explains his lukewarm support of women’s suffrage. Finally, Roosevelt offers his son advice on working with the people around him when it is natural, but not pursuing relationships that are merely social in nature.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-11-20

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Whitelaw Reid

President Roosevelt thanks Ambassador Reid for what he said to Robert Offley Ashburton Crewe-Milnes, and will accept the offer of the special shooting license for himself and his son Kermit. He is glad that Crewe-Milnes understands that he does not want a fuss in Nairobi when he first arrives. Roosevelt wants to go directly to Mombasa, and from there to Alfred E. Pease’s ranch. Roosevelt also states that Reid’s feeling about the complications in the Balkans was justified, and that what Reid heard about his answer to the women’s suffrage people is true. He is amused with the cartoon of himself and the article on Reid, and shares Reid’s feeling on caricatures.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-11-17

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Arthur Hamilton Lee

President Roosevelt tells Arthur Hamilton Lee about an interview between German Emperor William II and the American journalist William Bayard Hale, which has been suppressed. In the interview, the Emperor expressed bitterness toward England and said he believed that Japan was preparing for war on the United States. He also stated that war between Germany and England was inevitable. To avoid any bitterness between Germany and the United States, Roosevelt called The New York Times and asked that the interview not be printed. Lee should destroy the letter when he is finished with it.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-10-17

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Leonard Wood

President Roosevelt tells Leonard Wood that he is glad the German invitation turned out all right. Roosevelt told Hermann Speck von Sternburg about the situation, and said that while he hoped that Wood could be present, he understood if it was not possible. Roosevelt is pleased that German Emperor William II remembered Wood, and was able to do as Wood hoped. The Republican National Convention went well, and Roosevelt believes that they will be able to elect William H. Taft as president.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-07-06

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Hermann Speck von Sternburg

President Roosevelt is concerned by Hermann Speck von Sternburg’s letter. Roosevelt had hoped that sending a letter through Sternburg would have given Sternburg a chance to speak personally with Kaiser William II. Roosevelt asks Sternburg to let him know what happens.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-07-08

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Frederick Courteney Selous

President Roosevelt writes to Frederick Courteney Selous to discuss his plans and hopes for the safari he will take after leaving the presidency. Roosevelt mentions his preferences for outfitting the expedition, his planned route and timetable, and what sorts of animals he would like to hunt. He plans to partner with the National Museum of Natural History, so most of the animals he hunts will be preserved and donated to them.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-06-25

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Hermann Speck von Sternburg

President Roosevelt asks Ambassador Sternburg to give the enclosed letter to German Emperor William II. He hopes Sternburg will be able to speak to him in person. The United States would be glad to accept the invitation, but the fleet will not stop at Samoa.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-05-14

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to James Franklin Bell

President Roosevelt has spoken with the German ambassador, who has told him that Emperor William II will welcome General Leonard Wood to unofficially view the maneuvers, but only on the condition that he does not officially attend maneuvers in France or anywhere else. The value in attending such events comes from watching smaller units work, rather than big spectacles. Roosevelt suggests that General Bell mention this to Wood.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-05-02

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Hermann Speck von Sternburg

President Roosevelt sends a letter which he asks Ambassador Sternburg to give to German Emperor William II.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-05-06

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Henry White

President Roosevelt found Ambassador White’s letter interesting. He wishes he could see George Otto Trevelyan, and says that he admires Prime Minister H. H. Asquith more than late Prime Minister Henry Campbell-Bannerman. Roosevelt has asked Congress for four battleships, because he knew he would not be able to get two unless he pushed for four. He believes White’s reading of the Kaiser-Tower-Hill case was accurate.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-04-27

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to David Jayne Hill

President Roosevelt tells newly-appointed Ambassador to Germany David Jayne Hill he believes his position in Berlin will be better because of the “unpleasant incident,” where German Emperor William II spoke openly of his dislike for Hill. Roosevelt commends Hill for keeping silent on the topic and instructs him to never comment on it in public.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-04-20

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Charlemagne Tower

President Roosevelt has just received Ambassador to Germany Tower’s letter, and the matter it discusses is “now obsolete” and requires no action from Roosevelt. Between the date of Tower’s letter and Roosevelt’s letter, the matter received wide publicity, which it should not have. Roosevelt believes that Tower should have kept the conversation between German Emperor William II and himself quiet, and advises him to be “exceedingly discreet” until he leaves Berlin.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-04-04

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Lloyd Carpenter Griscom

President Roosevelt informs Ambassador to Italy Griscom that recent events have made the ambassador’s letter to the president obsolete. The publicity surrounding the incident has made it important that nothing further is said on it, and Roosevelt instructs Griscom to say nothing more on the subject. Apparently there is a “conflict of memory” regarding what was actually said in conversation with German Emperor William II. Roosevelt expects to hear from Griscom soon about whether King Victor Emmanuel III has a copy of Outdoor Pastimes.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-04-05

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919