TLS as president, two pages, 8 x 10.5, White House letterhead, September 18, 1905. Roosevelt writes from Oyster Bay to Pennsylvania congressman John Dalzell. In part: “The German government is very anxious that we should send some one to Berlin to negotiate with them and see if we can not come to an agreement about the tariff relations of the two countries. As you know, our present agreement with Germany comes to an end next spring, and if it is not renewed, and if no substitute arrangement is made, a tariff war may happen in consequence. My experiences in endeavoring to secure commercial arrangements with other countries in the past have not been very encouraging, any more than were Mr. McKinley’s experiences; but I do feel if we have tariff troubles with Germany we ought at least to make it clear that we have exhausted every effort to avert them; and besides, if we send over a really good man, a man of tact and judgment who will not sacrifice our interests, but on the other hand will make a genuine effort to meet the wishes of the German government so far as they can properly be met, it is quite possible we would be able to stave off a rupture.... The Germans are very anxious that the negotiations should take place over there. In such matters I think it is always well to yield what is not an essential; and it seems to me that if we sent over a man this October—or two men if you thought it better—I would have something definite to lay before you in December.... Whom would you suggest for the man or men to send over? The impossible ideal is some one like Dingley, who understands either German or French; but I do not suppose there is one chance in a million that we can get an expert who can speak German or French and so we will have to send over with him a first class intelligent interpreter....” Light scattered soiling and wrinkling, and a few staple holes, otherwise fine condition. Auction LOA John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and R&R COA.
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