Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Arthur Hamilton Lee
Subject(s): Basic training (Military education), German Americans--Political activity, Germany, Great Britain, International relations, Military education, Military policy, Military readiness, Military service, Voluntary, New York (State)--Plattsburgh, Pacifists, Politicians--Public opinion, Roosevelt family, Roosevelt, Archibald B. (Archibald Bulloch), 1894-1979, Roosevelt, Quentin, 1897-1918, Roosevelt, Theodore, 1887-1944, Russia, Soldiers--Training, War--Political aspects, Wilson, Woodrow, 1856-1924, World War (1914-1918)
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The Wilson administration has behaved “infamously,” and Theodore Roosevelt considers President Wilson to be a timid man who will “avoid war at all hazards.” Wilson is favoring Germany and attempting to keep the German American and pacifist vote. Roosevelt breaks down American opinion into four sections; German Americans, professional pacifists, the majority who are not interested in international affairs, and a small percentage that think like him. Three of Roosevelt’s sons have finished training at the Plattsburgh camp, and they all did well. He has his volunteer division sketched out and guarantees it will do its duty. Roosevelt is distressed at Russia being “terribly smashed,” and he hopes the allies can stay together as they can win the war together.
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1915-09-02
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
9
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. [September 2, 1915]. Library of Congress Manuscript Division.
https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o212787. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
MLA:
Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919. Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Arthur Hamilton Lee. [2 Sep. 1915]. Multi-image.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. January 23, 2026. https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o212787.
APA:
Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919., [1915, September 2]. 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/o212787.
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. January 23, 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.
