Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to William Hutchinson Cowles
Subject(s): Arbitration, International, Bryan, William Jennings, 1860-1925, International obligations, International relations--Moral and ethical aspects, International relations--Public opinion, International relations--Treaties, Lusitania (Steamship), National interest, Political leadership, Taft, William H. (William Howard), 1857-1930, War--Moral and ethical aspects, Wilson, Woodrow, 1856-1924, World War (1914-1918)
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Theodore Roosevelt cannot approve of William Hutchinson Cowles’s editorial and opposes universal arbitration. Each nation and community has issues which they would refuse to arbitrate. The Wilson administration has signed thirty arbitration treaties and refused to abide by the treaty with Germany when the Lusitania was sunk. The public approved of President Wilson’s decision. Promises should not be made that the nation, its leaders, or the public do not intend to keep. The nations of Europe are fighting for their existence and will justifiably ignore calls for arbitration and pacifism from America. The United States needs to prepare for war and learn to keep promises.
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1915-06-17
Creator(s)
Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919
Recipient
Cowles, William Hutchinson, 1866-1946
Language
English
Period
Post-Presidential Years (1913-January 6, 1919)
Repository
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Page Count
5
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 Hutchinson Cowles. [June 17, 1915]. Library of Congress Manuscript Division.
https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o212442. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
MLA:
Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919. Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to William Hutchinson Cowles. [17 Jun. 1915]. Multi-image.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. March 6, 2026. https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o212442.
APA:
Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919., [1915, June 17]. Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to William Hutchinson Cowles.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
Retrieved from https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o212442.
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.
