One incident involving Hay that benefitted Roosevelt politically was the kidnapping of Greek-American playboy Ion Perdicaris in Morocco by chieftain Mulai Ahmed er Raisuli , an opponent of Sultan Abdelaziz . Raisuli demanded a ransom , but also wanted political prisoners to be released and control of Tangier in place of the military governor . Raisuli supposed Perdicaris to be a wealthy American , and hoped United States pressure would secure his demands . In fact , Perdicaris , though born in New Jersey , had renounced his citizenship during the Civil War to avoid Confederate confiscation of property in South Carolina , and had accepted Greek naturalization , a fact not generally known until years later , but that decreased Roosevelt 's appetite for military action . The sultan was ineffective in dealing with the incident , and Roosevelt considered seizing the Tangier waterfront , source of much of Abdelaziz 's income , as a means of motivating him . With Raisuli 's demands escalating , Hay , with Roosevelt 's approval , finally cabled the consul-general in Tangier , Samuel Gummeré : The 1904 Republican National Convention was in session , and the Speaker of the House , Joseph Cannon , its chair , read the first sentence of the cable — and only the first sentence — to the convention , electrifying what had been a humdrum coronation of Roosevelt . " The results were perfect . This was the fighting Teddy that America loved , and his frenzied supporters — and American chauvinists everywhere — roared in delight . " In fact , by then the sultan had already agreed to the demands , and Perdicaris was released . What was seen as tough talk boosted Roosevelt 's election chances
1904 Republican National Convention
1904 Republican National Convention
John Hay