Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Rudyard Kipling
Subject(s): Belgium, Bryan, William Jennings, 1860-1925, Ex-presidents, Germany, Great Britain, International relations--Moral and ethical aspects, Politicians--Conduct of life, Politicians--Public opinion, Press and politics, War crimes, War--Moral and ethical aspects, Wilson, Woodrow, 1856-1924, World War (1914-1918)
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Theodore Roosevelt encloses several articles he has written on the situation in Europe. Roosevelt disagrees with President Wilson’s and Secretary of State Bryan’s attitude toward foreign affairs. However, he is reluctant to speak out about what actions he would have taken as president because he is powerless to see anything done. He believes that England is “entirely right” and that there can be no peace until the wrongs against Belgium have been redressed. Roosevelt has not publicly addressed the “outrages against individuals” due to the large amount of conflicting testimony. He likes the German people and believes that many have been “influenced by genuine fear.” Roosevelt agrees that there is a danger to the United States but Americans that share this view are a minority and Roosevelt’s political influence is “nearly gone.” He requests that Rudyard Kipling keep his letter confidential and write frankly about the articles, as well as anything else he should speak out about.
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1914-10-03
Creator(s)
Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919
Recipient
Language
English
Period
Post-Presidential Years (1913-January 6, 1919)
Repository
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Page Count
3
Production Method
Record Type
Multi-image
Resource Type
Rights
These images are presented through a cooperative effort between the Library of Congress and Dickinson State University. No known restrictions on publication.
Citation
Cite this Record
Chicago:
Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Rudyard Kipling. [October 3, 1914]. Library of Congress Manuscript Division. Library of Congress Manuscript Division.
https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o210504. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
MLA:
Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919. Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Rudyard Kipling. [3 Oct. 1914]. Multi-image.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division. Library of Congress Manuscript Division.
Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. December 12, 2025. https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o210504.
APA:
Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919., [1914, October 3]. Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Rudyard Kipling.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division. Library of Congress Manuscript Division.
Retrieved from https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o210504.
Cite this Collection
Chicago:
Library of Congress Manuscript Division. Library of Congress Manuscript Division.
https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/collection/library-of-congress-manuscript-division. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
MLA:
Library of Congress Manuscript Division. Library of Congress Manuscript Division.
Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. December 12, 2025. https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/collection/library-of-congress-manuscript-division.
APA:
Library of Congress Manuscript Division. Library of Congress Manuscript Division.
Retrieved from https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/collection/library-of-congress-manuscript-division.
