Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Arthur Hamilton Lee
Subject(s): Bryan, William Jennings, 1860-1925, Derby, Ethel Roosevelt, Germany, Great Britain, International relations, Military policy, Military readiness, Military service, Voluntary, Pacifism, Political leadership, Roosevelt family, Roosevelt, Archibald B. (Archibald Bulloch), 1894-1979, Roosevelt, Belle, 1892-1968, Roosevelt, Edith Kermit Carow, 1861-1948, Roosevelt, Eleanor Butler, 1889-1960, Roosevelt, Kermit, 1889-1943, Roosevelt, Quentin, 1897-1918, Roosevelt, Theodore, 1887-1944, Trials (Libel), United States. Army. Volunteer Cavalry, 1st, War, Wars, Wilson, Woodrow, 1856-1924, World War (1914-1918)
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Theodore Roosevelt has been impressed with the efficiency of Germany’s industry and military. He is distressed that the United States has not matched European nations in industrial and military matters. Roosevelt blames American leadership for this failure. If he had been president, an immediate stand would have been taken against Germany and the United States would likely now be fighting with Great Britain. Roosevelt is disgusted by American pacifists and President Wilson’s statement that the nation is “too proud to fight.” There should have been a “popular revolt” against Wilson. Roosevelt wishes he and his sons were in trenches and is already planning to raise a “division of mounted riflemen” similar to the Rough Riders. He concludes with updates on several Roosevelt family members.
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1915-06-17
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
10
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. [June 17, 1915]. Library of Congress Manuscript Division.
https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o212444. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
MLA:
Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919. Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Arthur Hamilton Lee. [17 Jun. 1915]. Multi-image.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. March 30, 2026. https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o212444.
APA:
Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919., [1915, June 17]. 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/o212444.
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 30, 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.
