Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Arthur Hamilton Lee
Subject(s): Belgium, Books and reading, Bryan, William Jennings, 1860-1925, Butler, Nicholas Murray, 1862-1947, Germany, Great Britain, Grey of Fallodon, Edward Grey, Viscount, 1862-1933, Military policy, Military readiness, Military service, Voluntary, Pacifism, Pacifists--Political activity, Spring Rice, Cecil, Sir, 1859-1918, War and society, War--Political aspects, War--Public opinion, Wilson, Woodrow, 1856-1924, World War (1914-1918)
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Theodore Roosevelt is envious of Lieutenant Colonel Lee as he has a “chance to do a piece of duty supremely worth doing.” Roosevelt wrote a short book on the war entitled America and the World War and has not “minced matters.” He would like Lee to look at the book. Roosevelt disapproves of President Wilson, Secretary of State Bryan, and the peace advocates. In a postscript, Roosevelt has decided to send Lee the letters he wrote to Edward Grey and Cecil Spring Rice. American public opinion is swinging back towards the allies. It has been “soul-trying” to listen to pacifist Englishmen and pro-German Americans, such as Nicholas Murray Butler. Roosevelt continues to be disgusted by the policies of the Wilson administration and their efforts to take political advantage of the war.
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1915-01-22
Creator(s)
Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919
Recipient
Lee of Fareham, Viscount (Arthur Hamilton Lee), 1868-1947
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 Arthur Hamilton Lee. [January 22, 1915]. Library of Congress Manuscript Division.
https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o211490. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
MLA:
Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919. Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Arthur Hamilton Lee. [22 Jan. 1915]. Multi-image.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. February 17, 2026. https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o211490.
APA:
Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919., [1915, January 22]. Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Arthur Hamilton Lee.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
Retrieved from https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o211490.
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 17, 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.
