Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to George Sylvester Viereck
Subject(s): Allegiance, Belgium, Citizenship, Citizenship (International law), Citizenship--Moral and ethical aspects, Germany, International relations--Moral and ethical aspects, Neutrality, War crimes, War--Moral and ethical aspects, World War (1914-1918)
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Theodore Roosevelt defends his statements regarding the war and German conduct in Belgium. Roosevelt can feel goodwill towards Germany while also condemning their conduct. He has carefully read the German side of the case and was not convinced. Belgium was determined not to allow the violation of its neutrality by any other nation and only Germany decided to break faith, invade, and subjugate Belgium “against every rule of right and of humanity.” Roosevelt argues that no one can remain an American citizen while subordinating the “interests and duty of the United States to the interests of a foreign land.” He accuses George Sylvester Viereck of being wholeheartedly behind his birth country, Germany, and not his adopted country, the United States. Therefore, Viereck is being a poor citizen of both nations and should return to Germany, renounce his American citizenship, and join the German army.
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1915-03-15
Creator(s)
Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919
Recipient
Viereck, George Sylvester, 1884-1962
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 George Sylvester Viereck. [March 15, 1915]. Library of Congress Manuscript Division.
https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o212040. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
MLA:
Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919. Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to George Sylvester Viereck. [15 Mar. 1915]. Multi-image.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. February 27, 2026. https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o212040.
APA:
Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919., [1915, March 15]. Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to George Sylvester Viereck.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
Retrieved from https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o212040.
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.
