Mr. Roosevelt and the Spanish War
Subject(s): Cuba, Diplomatic etiquette, International relations, Long, John Davis, 1838-1915, Naval strategy, Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919, Spain, Spanish-American War (1898), United States. Navy, War (International law), War, Declaration of
Click on image to zoom in
In a history of the new American Navy and the Spanish-American War printed in The Outlook, John Davis Long, who was Secretary of the Navy during the war, has claimed that President Roosevelt, then an assistant secretary of the navy, advocated for attacking the Spanish fleet before a declaration of war. The unknown author does not think that Long’s claims injure Roosevelt but adds to his reputation for initiative and courage because the Spanish fleet was heading towards the United States on a hostile mission. The author does not believe that a formal declaration is required before hostilities and provides several historical examples. The author also suggests an early fleet engagement could have saved lives by bringing an earlier peace and preventing an invasion of Cuba.
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1903-10-27
Creator(s)
Language
English
Period
U.S. President – 1st Term (September 1901-February 1905)
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:
Mr. Roosevelt and the Spanish War. [October 27, 1903]. Library of Congress Manuscript Division.
https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o51917. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
MLA:
Unknown. Mr. Roosevelt and the Spanish War. [27 Oct. 1903]. Multi-image.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. March 12, 2026. https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o51917.
APA:
Unknown., [1903, October 27]. Mr. Roosevelt and the Spanish War.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
Retrieved from https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o51917.
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 12, 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.
