Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Cecil Spring Rice
Subject(s): Belgium, Bryan, William Jennings, 1860-1925, Contraband of war, German Americans--Political activity, Germany, Great Britain, International relations--Public opinion, International trade--Political aspects, Neutral trade with belligerents, Neutrality, Pacifism, War--Public opinion, Wilson, Woodrow, 1856-1924, World War (1914-1918)
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Theodore Roosevelt reviews American public opinion towards the war, which is generally favorable towards the allies. However, German Americans are “furiously on the side of Germany,” and most politicians have more to fear from an interested minority than a “tepid” majority.” Roosevelt believes that the strong German American feeling derives from the fact that American contraband trade is significantly more valuable to the allies. He recommends that Great Britain be lenient on the contraband trade with Germany, as a strict policy will damage American merchants and turn public opinion in favor of Germany. Roosevelt does not want Great Britain to insist on rights that will create hostility, expand its view on belligerent rights to extremes, or be too strict with contraband.
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1915-01-05
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
4
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. [January 5, 1915]. Library of Congress Manuscript Division.
https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o211316. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
MLA:
Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919. Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Cecil Spring Rice. [5 Jan. 1915]. Multi-image.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. March 6, 2026. https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o211316.
APA:
Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919., [1915, January 5]. 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/o211316.
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. March 6, 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.
