Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to William Astor Chanler
Subject(s): Belgium, Germany, International relations--Moral and ethical aspects, Men--Conduct of life, Military policy, Military service, Voluntary, Neutrality, Roosevelt, Kermit, 1889-1943, War crimes, War--Moral and ethical aspects, World War (1914-1918)
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Theodore Roosevelt admires German valor and efficiency but is indignant over what has happened to Belgium. He believes that Germany would do the same to the United States if necessary. Roosevelt agrees with William Astor Chanler regarding “living dangerously” and admires Chanler for living up to these ideals. He also admires the young Americans that have gone to the front and regrets that he could not join them due to his age and health issues. If the United States enters the war, Roosevelt hopes to take an active role and raise a cavalry division. He opposes neutrality as “worse than nothing” which only incurs the “contempt of both sides.” Roosevelt wanted the United States to stand up for Belgium and views the allies as fighting what should have been an American battle. A German victory will eventually lead to a confrontation in the Americas.
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1915-01-13
Creator(s)
Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919
Recipient
Chanler, William Astor, 1867-1934
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 William Astor Chanler. [January 13, 1915]. Library of Congress Manuscript Division.
https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o211360. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
MLA:
Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919. Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to William Astor Chanler. [13 Jan. 1915]. Multi-image.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. January 23, 2026. https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o211360.
APA:
Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919., [1915, January 13]. Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to William Astor Chanler.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
Retrieved from https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o211360.
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. January 23, 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.
