Grey of Fallodon, Edward Grey, Viscount, 1862-1933

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-11-24

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Recipient

Grey of Fallodon, Edward Grey, Viscount, 1862-1933

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-12-13

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Recipient

Grey of Fallodon, Edward Grey, Viscount, 1862-1933

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-02-27

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Recipient

Grey of Fallodon, Edward Grey, Viscount, 1862-1933

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1913-01-09

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Recipient

Grey of Fallodon, Edward Grey, Viscount, 1862-1933

President Roosevelt tells British Ambassador to the United States Grey that Rennel Rodd was offered a position interacting with the US government, but turned it down. Roosevelt contrasts the attitudes and relations of a number of different countries with America and England, and takes a specific focus on Japan. Roosevelt notes that Japan has continued preparing for war over the last decade, and writes that there will be industrial competition between Japan and European countries. He also wonders if they are planning on invading America, Germany, or the Philippines. Roosevelt wants the United States and Japan to sign a treaty stating they will keep their citizens out of each other’s labor markets. Roosevelt closes by remarking on the similarities in governmental thinking and military approach between the United States and England.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-12-19

Theodore Roosevelt thanks Viscount Grey for his letter and sympathizes with his party’s political situation. Roosevelt has no regrets about losing the 1912 presidential election but worries that not seizing the current opportunity to fight for social and industrial justice will have negative ramifications in the future. Changing topics, Roosevelt writes about the need to fight on heroically after an attempted assassination, recounting his own story about finishing his speech. Finally, Roosevelt is relieved that Sir Cecil Spring-Rice is likely to succeed Ambassador James Bryce.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-11-15

Theodore Roosevelt argues that the article Edward Grey believes will damage the British cause was misrepresented by British newspaper correspondents. Roosevelt’s article primarily chastised Americans for failing to do their duty by fulfilling international obligations and preparing for war. He mentioned Great Britain to show the dangers of a policy advocating a large navy and small volunteer army, such as the policy pursued by Britain before the war. Roosevelt admires the British army and navy but wanted to demonstrate to an American audience the folly of not properly preparing for war.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-11-24

Theodore Roosevelt is sending Edward Grey a book he has written entitled America and World War. He agrees with the three objects for which Grey is fighting. Roosevelt is pleased to hear of Grey’s changing attitude towards the Hague conventions and international treaties. While president, Roosevelt was denounced for not entering into these treaties, but he refused to enter into any treaty that he did not believe the United States could keep. He wishes he could do more than “merely talk.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-02-01

The crux of the war for Theodore Roosevelt is Belgium and he will judge other nations by their conduct. Therefore, he opposes Germany for its actions in Belgium and praises Great Britain’s and France’s actions as a model for good faith and international morality. American public opinion has recently shifted in favor of the allies, but pro-German feeling had been growing for several months before this change. Roosevelt attributes the growth of this sentiment to the “lavish attentions” shown to American war correspondents by the Germans. He suggests the allies be more open and accommodating to correspondents. A closer view of the allied side will be beneficial to American public opinion and is unlikely to negatively interfere with military operations. Roosevelt also warns against being too strict with contraband. American trade is vastly more beneficial to the allies and could become a vital factor in the war. The allies must maintain these advantages and should be careful not to incite the American government or public. Roosevelt hopes that “every possible consideration” will be shown to the American flag and position.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-01-22

Theodore Roosevelt introduces Albert J. Beveridge. Beveridge’s politics are very similar to Britain’s Liberal Party. He is studying the situation of the Great War and will be writing about it for Collier’s Weekly.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1914-12-04

Theodore Roosevelt agrees with Edward Grey about compensation for what Belgium suffered. Roosevelt has lost many of his German friends, but he could not have acted any differently. He owed it to his country and to the world.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1914-11-11

Theodore Roosevelt has written several articles on the war in Europe in support of England’s position. He spoke plainly but with proper reserve and courtesy. Roosevelt opposes the position of the Wilson administration but publicly stating how he would have acted would do more harm than good. Most Americans are ignorant of foreign policy and do not understand the “impending military danger.” If Roosevelt were president, he would have taken a stand against the violation of Belgium’s neutrality no matter what course had to be followed. He believes the American people would have followed him. Roosevelt knows the Wilson administration would not support such a position.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1914-10-03

Theodore Roosevelt thanks Viscount Grey for his letter and sympathizes with his party’s political situation. Roosevelt has no regrets about losing the 1912 presidential election but worries not seizing the current opportunity to fight for social and industrial justice will have negative ramifications in the future. Changing topics, Roosevelt writes to Viscount Grey about the need to fight on heroically after an attempted assassination, recounting his own story about finishing his speech. Finally, Roosevelt is relieved that Sir Cecil Spring-Rice is looking like the man likely to succeed Ambassador Bryce.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-11-15

President Roosevelt enjoyed his visit with Viscount James Bryce and reminisces about when Bryce stayed at the White House several years prior. Roosevelt believes the question of disarmament is “full of difficulties” and wants to avoid raising “high anticipation as will ensure disappointment” with the upcoming National Arbitration and Peace Congress. He wasn’t impressed with Jamaica Governor James Alexander Swettenham’s message and compares his dealings with him to that of Henry Wolcott Bowen, former Ambassador of Venezuela. Roosevelt is pleased that the Santo Domingo treaty was ratified by Congress and is overall satisfied with the number of other legislative measures he managed to pass.    

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-02-28

Norwegian explorer Christian Leden plans on traveling through Canada to perform ethnological and sociological research on indigenous groups. Benjamin Vogt alerts Viscount Edward Grey about this expedition, and requests British approval of Leden’s travel plans. 

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-05-23

Ambassador Reid tells Earl Grey that the United States cannot accept the terms proposed to settle the Newfoundland fisheries dispute. He therefore requests that the matter be sent for arbitration before the Hague Tribunal. Until the matter is settled there, he hopes the modus vivendi previously negotiated may remain in place, by which American fishermen will refrain from using purse-seines but will continue hiring local Newfoundland fishermen.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-07-12

Ambassador Reid informs Edward Grey, Viscount of Fallodon, that he should not expect an immediate settlement regarding the “rights of American vessels on the Newfoundland coast” and is glad to hear that Grey will soon submit proposals for a peaceful arrangement for the next season. Reid will advise his government about the matter.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-08-16