24The White House
Washington, D. C.
May 30, 1905
After hearing the preliminary news of the naval battle in the Sea of Japan, Theodore Roosevelt requested a senior level briefing at the White House. If what he had heard was true, this battle may well have decided the outcome of this futile war between Japan and Russia. In addition to Commander William Sims, who would be doing the briefing, he requested Secretary of the Navy Paul Morton to be present, as well as his designated replacement, Charles Bonaparte. As Roosevelt bounded into the room, he directed, “Please be seated, gentlemen. Commander Sims, please begin.”
“Thank you, Mr. President,” Sims began as he stood. “As you know, sir, the Russian Pacific Fleet was essentially destroyed last year at Port Arthur. The Russians had intended
