Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Cecil Spring Rice
Subject(s): Belgium, France, German Americans--Political activity, Germany, Great Britain, International relations, Ireland, Irish Americans--Political activity, Maritime law, Neutrality, Pacifists--Political activity, Presidents--Conduct of life, Presidents--Public opinion, Seizure of vessels and cargoes, War, Wars, Wilson, Woodrow, 1856-1924, World War (1914-1918)
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An article Theodore Roosevelt wrote on exercising the naval right of search will be published soon and it generally follows Ambassador Spring Rice’s opinion. If he were president, Roosevelt would not let anyone exercise the right of search but he would also have intervened on behalf of Belgium and prevented Americans from violating neutrality. Roosevelt views President Wilson as a timid, unscrupulous, coldblooded, and selfish man. He believes Wilson is attempting to keep the support of pacifists and placate the German and Irish vote. Eventually, Great Britain and France will need American help and Wilson will become the “righteous peace-maker.” Wilson’s current misconduct will then be forgotten.
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1914-11-11
Creator(s)
Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919
Recipient
Spring Rice, Cecil, Sir, 1859-1918
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 Cecil Spring Rice. [November 11, 1914]. Library of Congress Manuscript Division.
https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o210619. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
MLA:
Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919. Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Cecil Spring Rice. [11 Nov. 1914]. Multi-image.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. February 27, 2026. https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o210619.
APA:
Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919., [1914, November 11]. Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Cecil Spring Rice.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
Retrieved from https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o210619.
Cite this Collection
Chicago:
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. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. February 27, 2026. https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/collection/library-of-congress-manuscript-division.
APA:
Library of Congress Manuscript Division. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. Retrieved from https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/collection/library-of-congress-manuscript-division.
