Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Frederick Courteney Selous
Subject(s): Africa, East, Germany, International obligations, International relations--Moral and ethical aspects, Military service, Voluntary, Neutrality, Roosevelt, Kermit, 1889-1943, South Africa, Tarlton, Leslie J. (Leslie Jefferis), 1877-1951, United States. Army. Volunteer Cavalry, 1st, War crimes, War--Moral and ethical aspects, William II, German Emperor, 1859-1941, World War (1914-1918)
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Theodore Roosevelt is pleased that Frederick Courteney Selous has gone to British East Africa. Roosevelt has come to agree with Selous that the brutal German conduct was a result of a doctrine preached by German leadership. He has publicly spoken strongly about the failure of the United States and other neutrals to do their duty after the violation of the Hague conventions. Roosevelt has been surprised at the strength the Germans have shown in their colonies. He will not write to Selous about ordinary things while Selous is part of the “terrible struggle.” Roosevelt regrets the United States is not fighting.
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1915-04-02
Creator(s)
Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919
Recipient
Selous, Frederick Courteney, 1851-1917
Language
English
Period
Post-Presidential Years (1913-January 6, 1919)
Repository
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Page Count
2
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 Frederick Courteney Selous. [April 2, 1915]. Library of Congress Manuscript Division.
https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o212208. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
MLA:
Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919. Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Frederick Courteney Selous. [2 Apr. 1915]. Multi-image.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. February 6, 2026. https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o212208.
APA:
Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919., [1915, April 2]. Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Frederick Courteney Selous.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
Retrieved from https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o212208.
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 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.
