INTRODUCTION
The people we choose to honor, shape and inspire our future
Theodore Roosevelt (October 27, 1858 – January 6, 1919) a man of and ahead of his time.
Launching the creation of this exciting biography was the unexpected acquisition of a one-of-a-kind, antique group photo which included someone that appeared to be Theodore Roosevelt, taken during a secret visit to Japan in 1909. And if it was Theodore, why had he gone there? Helpful clues came from the U.S. and Japanese flags attached to the ceiling above them, giving the impression of a diplomatic event. Once readers have reviewed the evidence presented, you’ll likely agree that Theodore, accompanied by his wife, Edith, their daughter, Alice, and their son, Kermit, along with seven other companions did go on this perhaps most unusual covert political expedition in U.S. International History.
It is curious to note that in 1905, Alice Roosevelt and William Howard Taft (the then Secretary of War under T.R.), along with a large U.S. political entourage visited Japan and Asia in general. For unknown reasons, Alice required that most the photos of that journey not be shared with the general public until over a century later. When they were made available, they were utilized for an online Smithsonian Museum Exhibit titled: Alice in Asia: The 1905 Taft Mission to Asia. Secrecy was probably required for T.R. to achieve his diplomatic goals with the Japan in 1909, and for that reason, they delayed sharing Alice’s photos with the public until the much distant future.
The research on the mysterious 1909 photo (shown below) revealed important new insights about Theodore Roosevelt, both the man and the creative international statesman – A story that will entertainingly engage the general public & supply historians with fascinating material for further investigation.
This 1909 Photo was acquired while researching for the author’s historical novel, The Emperor and the Spy, and the illustrated biographies: The Art of Peace and The Art of Diplomacy. The novel brings out of the shadows a high level U.S. intelligence agent, Colonel Sidney Mashbir (1891-1973), who during the 1920’s and ’30’s formed strong alliances with influential Japanese, together striving to maintain goodwill between their nations. The biographies spotlight the inspiring achievements of the Japanese statesmen, Prince Iyesato Tokugawa (1863-1940) and Baron Eiichi Shibusawa (1840-1931), who closely engaged with eight U.S. presidents and other world leaders in the pursuit of peace, democracy, and mutually beneficial business and cultural exchange. Theodore Roosevelt, along with his presidential successor William Howard Taft, both developed a personal friendship and political alliance with Tokugawa and Shibusawa during the first decades of the 20th Century.
Illustrated above is the back of the mysterious group photo, with the words written in pen:
“Yokohama Dec. 1909.”
The photo measures 4.25″ x 3.25″
Frequently referred to by his initials T.R. or more informally as Teddy Roosevelt, he is one of our most admired and even beloved presidents. As displayed in the below circa 1908 Portrait photo of T.R. standing next to a World Globe. Besides being a national statesman, he wished to be recognized as a leader with a global perspective and international influence. However, like most powerful presidential leaders, there were successes and controversies linked to his domestic policies and foreign engagements. These topics are explored, using hundreds of illustrations.
Known-photo-of-T.R.-circa-1908
From an early age, I’ve had a deep appreciation for Theodore for various reasons, including his sheer determination to overcome his limitations as an unhealthy child, and instead live a robust, adventurous, and accomplished life.
T.R. served as the 26th president of the United States from 1901 to 1909. And before that from March to September 1901, he served under President William McKinley as the 25th vice president. Prior to those highest level national offices, T.R. also held the position as the 33rd governor of the influential State of New York from 1899 to 1900, emerging as a dominant political leader and a driving force for antitrust legislation supporting Progressive policies in the early 20th century. T.R. also wore the hat of a conservationist, naturalist, and writer. And notably, his face is respectfully depicted on Mount Rushmore, alongside George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and Abraham Lincoln.
T.R. looked out for the average citizen and wasn’t afraid to face off with powerful corporations in order to defend America’s natural environment. Accompanied by the naturalist, John Muir, they once embarked on a three-night camping trip exploring the most beautiful and pristine areas of Yosemite. This inspired Theodore to realize that many of America’s most beautiful areas needed protection, so he established the U.S. National Park Service which continues to this day to watch over this precious legacy. And during his 1909 Smithsonian Museum African Safari adventure, he used his influence to inspire the creation of the great game parks of East Africa that continue to this day. It appears that it was towards the conclusion of his African Safari, and before embarking on his European peace tour that T.R. and members of his family and their companions secretly visited Japan.
While researching for this biography, current media headlines linked to the T.R. and the Black Lives Matter movement were in the spotlight. Certain public statues convey racist messages, and among these was one of T.R. that had stood at the front entrance of the Museum of Natural History in New York City, since 1940. The museum’s leadership had long seen that statue as problematic, but it is worthy of comment that that statue represented the message of the artist who created it, not of Roosevelt, who had passed away twenty years earlier.
While promoting his political goals, T.R. found himself forced to work within the limitations of the relatively recently fought American Civil War, confronting a nation still deeply divided by residual racism against Blacks, and also against Asians for that matter. This biography reveals T.R.’s relatively progressive efforts promoting improved race relations. Shedding light on this topic, T.R.’s great-great-grandson, Kermit Roosevelt III, legal scholar and professor of law at the University of Pennsylvania Law School in Philadelphia, commented on whether it was appropriate to remove the above mentioned statue, during an interview given by Eyewitness News-ABC 7, on June 22, 2020. Kermit Roosevelt III stated, “If you look at it [the statue] now, I think it gives the wrong message…the problem is you’ve got one white man on a horse and then a native [American] person and an African person walking along, behind, below in this subordinate posture.” There were many other memorials that better represent the legacy of Theodore Roosevelt, however, that statue wasn’t one of them. “He wanted a society where what’s best about our natural parks, our natural resources was shared widely and available to everyone and I think he should be remembered as an egalitarian and a conservationist“. It is an interesting coincidence that Kermit Roosevelt III’s great-grandfather Kermit Roosevelt, appears to be one of the family members to go on the 1909 visit to Japan, a journey linked to international intrigue and likely aimed towards lessening the potential for conflict between the Japan and the U.S. caused by widespread anti-Asian racism existing the United States.
Teddy Roosevelt’s Secret Mission to Japan
Over the past twenty years, the expanding search capabilities of the internet has assisted in the location and acquisition of long forgotten personal and official historical primary source materials such as newspapers, magazines, and never-before-available or identified rare photos. These materials have greatly assisted the research for this biography. Included are the recently discovered 1908 photo of T.R. secretly accompanied by Andrew Carnegie, at the launch of a Memorial for Abraham Lincoln’s Cabin. It was Carnegie who funded T.R.’s African Safari Adventure and European Peace Mission, and Carnegie wished to see T.R. prior to his departure. There’s also a rare 1910 photo of T.R. being met by his much younger cousin, F.D.R., upon T.R.’s return from Africa and Europe. Another fascinating photo presents former Presidents Theodore Roosevelt and William Howard Taft in 1915, avoiding media coverage and secretly attending a diplomatic banquet in N.Y.C. honoring the visit of the Japanese statesmen, Baron Shibusawa. It appears that there was a pattern of secrecy when it came to U.S. Japan political relations. This biography highlights T.R. forming alliances with the world’s most influential international political leaders, the wealthiest individuals, as well as European and Japanese nobility.
Like a Sherlock Holmes mystery, unravelling clues and finding hidden meanings, recognizing the collaborators in their 1909 mission to Japan, and those dangerous forces who stood in their way – Supporting the veracity of this extraordinary story are “Highly Top Secret” classified Japanese diplomatic letters recently unearthed from the National Archives of Japan from over a century ago. These 1908-1909 correspondences strategized how best to encourage T.R. to pay a friendly visit to Japan during his term in office or after his presidency, just as the dark storm clouds of World War One were rapidly approaching.
Strategic statecraft lessons are revealed in this fascinating story, providing significant historical perspectives on matters that continue to influence U.S. Asian relations to this day.
Color enhanced version of the original 1909 photo, to gain greater detail.
The book is Dedicated to these organizations
World Affairs Councils of America (WACA) – a national, non-profit, non-partisan, educational/political affairs association whose goal is international cooperation and understanding. The author is on the board of directors of the San Diego World Affairs Council, a local chapter. On a yearly basis, WACA and her many chapters across the U.S. organize exciting local and national high school competitions called Academic World Quest, where students display their knowledge of significant world events.
Rotary International promotes good-will projects in local communities and internationally. Their motto, “Service Above Self.”
Japan Society of New York City has a long history of supporting good relations between U.S. and Japan.
America-Japan Society headquartered in Tokyo, celebrated its 100th Year Anniversary in 2017. They promote peace and stability for Japan-U.S. relations, as well as for the world, encouraging educational and cultural exchange.
Shibusawa Eiichi Memorial Foundation and Museum located in Japan. Baron Shibusawa Eiichi and Prince Tokugawa Iesato were friends and allies with President Theodore Roosevelt and with other U.S. presidents in the promotion of goodwill between their nations.
National Association of Japan-America Societies (NAJAS), a private, non-profit, non-partisan organization that offers educational, cultural, and business programs about Japan and U.S./Japan relations. Located in 32 cities in the U.S., their mission to strengthen cooperation and understanding between Japan and the U.S.
*Appreciation is also given to other organizations promoting inter-racial goodwill within the U.S. and internationally.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Chapter One 1
-Early Research to Identify the Individuals in the 1909 photo
-Overview of U.S. Japan relations mid-1800s thru early 1900s
-T.R. combats Racism against Japanese Americans
Chapter Two 31
-Economic Instability and an International Arms Race
Chapter Three 48
-Six of the Eleven Individuals in the Mystery Photo are identified
– T.R.’s exciting 1909-1910 Smithsonian African Expedition
Chapter Four 73
-Theories as to why Teddy Roosevelt might have Secretly Visited Japan in late 1909
Chapter Five 89
-Theodore Roosevelt Advances the Rights and Respect of Black Americans
Chapter Six 109
-Logistics as to how T.R. & his companions might have covertly travelled to Japan?
–The Cornelius Vanderbilt Family connection.
Chapter Seven 127
-Andrew Carnegie and the Beginnings of an International Peace Movement, Supported by T.R. & influential Japanese statesmen.
–Was History Repeating Itself? Was T.R.’s 1909 visit to Japan with his family, similar to that of former President Grant, a half-century earlier?
Chapter Eight 146
-‘Highly Classified Secrets’ at THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES OF JAPAN offers a potential key to the mysterious 1909 visit to Japan.
Chapter Nine 172
-T.R.’s fascinating 1909-1910 WORLD TOUR INCLUDES EGYPT AND EUROPE.
Chapter Ten 194
-With WORLD WAR I closing in, a strong U.S. Japan Alliance was more Important than Ever.
CLOSING REMARKS 210
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT 219
NOTES SECTION 220
Additional Research Resources 265
Index 267
Praise for Author’s Prior Books
The Emperor and the Spy historical novel
‘’I have learned a lot about Colonel Mashbir and his real friendship with Prince Tokugawa which was a pleasant surprise for me. Your stories about Japanese-American Military Intelligence Service have also done a great justice to so many unsung heroes.” Kazuo Kodama, former Japanese Ambassador to the United Nations
“I realize how difficult it is to weave fact and fiction but you did a masterful job. I have often wondered about the closing of WW II and how Japan got its new system of governance.” J. L. Ruthenberg, Lieutenant Colonel, USMC, Retired
“A fascinating story . . . a fine book,”
Lisa Wolff, past Managing Editor of Simon & Shuster
BARNES & NOBLE chose this novel to honor Veterans Day Weekend with a Book signing at their Oceanside, California Store.
“Novelist brings spy out of the shadows. Looking forward to the movie.”
Pam Kragen, SAN DIEGO UNION TRIBUNE
“The Emperor and the Spy…I couldn’t put it down.”
Hilliard Harper, Retired Naval Reserve Commander and former Writer for the Los Angeles Times
“My mother is a history expert. She taught history to high schoolers. She read your book in a day over the weekend and is now rereading it. These are her comments: It’s a fun read, page turner, shows tremendous research, historical novels don’t get better than that, intelligently written book, informative, conversations enlightening, she learned a lot…In sum, she said this is an outstanding book. Congratulations!”
Dave Edick Jr., President of San Diego World Affairs Council & President of San Diego International Sister Cities Association
“The book is fast-paced yet thoroughly researched. I compare the depth and factual detail of Katz’s writing with those of Wilbur Smith and Dick Francis. You’ll appreciate the weaving of concurrent events, and the nuances only an expert in the field can convey. Like Frederick Forsyth’s books, the international intrigue with imminent national security threats keep one in suspense . . . Katz’s narrative subtly demonstrates the pivot points around which the arc of history may have been so very different… It’s deliciously epic.”
Rita Lim Wilby PhD., Rotarian and Chairman of Programming at San Diego World Affairs Council
“Thank you for having interest in Japanese History. Looking forward to your new book! [The biography of Prince Tokugawa]
Kenko Sone Director of Global Communications for Shinzō Abe Prime Minister of Japan
The Art of Peace & The Art of Diplomacy illustrated biographies
“The importance of preventing war is rarely given recognition through literature and in accounts of history. It can be every bit as exciting as glorified accounts of war and certainly a better approach.” Professor Claire Langham, former President of the East-West Center of Southern California
“We look forward to adding The Art of Peace to the School’s library collection. Your goal to reach high school and college students with this information is an ambitious – but important – goal. Best wishes with your project.”
Suzette Heiman, Director of Planning and Communications Missouri School of Journalism at University of Missouri
“We appreciate your kindness and all the work you have done to promote understanding of Shibusawa Eiichi and US-Japan relations as a whole. I wish you all the best in your current and future endeavors. With gratitude,” Toru Shigehara: Head Librarian/Information Resources Center, Shibusawa Eiichi Memorial Foundation and Museum located in Japan
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