Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Frederick Courteney Selous
Subject(s): Africa, East, Armed Forces--Officers, Armed Forces--Officers--Legal status, laws, etc., Buxton, Edward North, 1840-1924, Draft, Driscoll, Daniel P. (Daniel Patrick), -1934, England, Germany, Great Britain. Army. Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment), Hindenburg, Paul von, 1847-1934, International relations, Kitchener, Horatio Herbert Kitchener, Earl, 1850-1916, Littledale, St. George, 1851-1931, McMillan, William Northrup, Sir, 1872-1925, Military policy, Military readiness, Military service, Voluntary, Pacifism, Roberts, Frederick Sleigh Roberts, Earl, 1832-1914, Roosevelt, Kermit, 1889-1943, Stigand, C. H. (Chauncy Hugh), 1877-1919, War, Declaration of, World War (1914-1918)
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Theodore Roosevelt was pleased to hear that British Army Captain Frederick Courteney Selous is at the front. He compares Selous’s position as an older officer to General von Hindenberg, the most successful German general, who is over the age limit for generals. Roosevelt regrets to hear that Selous’s corp was treated poorly in East Africa. He encloses two articles he wrote supporting universal military service and rigorous application of military law. Roosevelt has been distressed at the misconduct of the United States and the activities of the “professional pacifists.” If Germany keeps sinking ships carrying Americans, the public may demand a declaration of war.
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1915-08-28
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
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 Frederick Courteney Selous. [August 28, 1915]. Library of Congress Manuscript Division.
https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o212754. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
MLA:
Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919. Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Frederick Courteney Selous. [28 Aug. 1915]. Multi-image.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. February 6, 2026. https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o212754.
APA:
Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919., [1915, August 28]. 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/o212754.
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.
