Lee of Fareham, Viscount (Arthur Hamilton Lee), 1868-1947

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Arthur Hamilton Lee

President Roosevelt shares Arthur Hamilton Lee’s laments about the political situation in England, and notes that in the United States, mistakes will not have as far reaching results. However, he is concerned about President William H. Taft’s leadership. He commiserates with the strain that “incessant speaking” was on Lee, and says he is not looking forward to his upcoming trip to San Francisco to see his son Ted, when he will have to give many speeches along the way. He believes that the American system of holding all of its elections on one day is good.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-02-02

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Arthur Hamilton Lee

A recent article written by Theodore Roosevelt was interpreted in England as an attack on the English. However, Roosevelt was pointing out British military shortcomings in an effort to show the even worse situation in the United States. He is attempting to remedy the situation with advice from Ambassador Spring Rice and Edward Grey. Roosevelt is pleased that Colonel Lee was able to serve at the front but believes Lee can do the most good in his current position.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-12-07

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Arthur Hamilton Lee

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

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Arthur Hamilton Lee

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

Letter from Secretary of Theodore Roosevelt to Arthur Hamilton Lee

Theodore Roosevelt’s secretary apologizes for Roosevelt’s inability to respond to correspondence due to his attendance at the libel trial in Syracuse. The secretary does not feel that Roosevelt could write anything about future political actions.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-05-07

Creator(s)

Secretary of Theodore Roosevelt

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Arthur Hamilton Lee

Theodore Roosevelt does not understand Leopold James Maxse of the National Review who is being “severe” towards the United States and the role Jews play in British society. Maxse supported William H. Taft and is supporting President Wilson even though they do not want the United States to do its duty towards Great Britain. American public opinion is shifting towards Britain and the allies. Wilson is pursuing a policy that will appease the pacifists and not antagonize the allies. Roosevelt hopes Britain will not provoke the United States and other neutrals by violating the rules laid out in the Hague Conventions. He is anxious over German submarines disrupting commerce and chagrined at the German victory in East Prussia. However, Roosevelt believes that Germany will be defeated if the allies remain united.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-02-26

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Arthur Hamilton Lee

Theodore Roosevelt discusses with Arthur Lee a recent article by James Bryce which he believes strengthens the pacifist position in the United States. In contrast, Roosevelt has been writing and advocating for the international community to come to the defense of Belgium. He also advocates American preparedness for war. Roosevelt envies Lee, who is in active military service, and believes England will be better off for having entered into the war.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-03-16

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Arthur Hamilton Lee

Theodore Roosevelt is envious of Lieutenant Colonel Lee as he has a “chance to do a piece of duty supremely worth doing.” Roosevelt wrote a short book on the war entitled America and the World War and has not “minced matters.” He would like Lee to look at the book. Roosevelt disapproves of President Wilson, Secretary of State Bryan, and the peace advocates. In a postscript, Roosevelt has decided to send Lee the letters he wrote to Edward Grey and Cecil Spring Rice. American public opinion is swinging back towards the allies. It has been “soul-trying” to listen to pacifist Englishmen and pro-German Americans, such as Nicholas Murray Butler. Roosevelt continues to be disgusted by the policies of the Wilson administration and their efforts to take political advantage of the war.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-01-22

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Arthur Hamilton Lee

President Roosevelt is glad that Viscount Lee liked his comments about India. He felt the timing was right given that agitators like James Keir Hardie and William Jennings Bryan are feeding existing discontent in India, Great Britain, and America about the establishment of an Indian republic. Roosevelt agrees with Lee’s argument about the “two-power navy policy,” and does not believe Americans will take offense if Lee frames his reasoning thus. It would be a bad diplomatic decision to make a special exception for America, or any country, because this would give offense to other allies. Roosevelt is worried about the current conflict over Japanese immigration to the United States. He wants to follow a policy that prevents Japanese immigration “with the minimum of friction and the maximum of courtesy,” while also building up the navy.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1909-02-07

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Arthur Hamilton Lee

President Roosevelt thanks Arthur Hamilton Lee for sending him the portraits, and returns the three as requested. He plans to give several copies out as Christmas presents, but feels like he should be sparing with the others. Roosevelt is glad to hear Lee’s news that the British people are aware of the necessities of national defense, and applauds the agreement with Japan. Roosevelt believes his strategy of friendly communication with Japan in conjunction with the demonstration of sending the fleet around the world, has produced good results for the United States. Roosevelt is looking forward to his safari, and believes that President-Elect William Howard Taft will do a good job as president.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-12-20

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Arthur Hamilton Lee

President Roosevelt had written Arthur Hamilton Lee an “exceedingly confidential letter,” which Lee was then meant to destroy. However, recent publications have meant that the letter is unnecessary, so Roosevelt has instructed Henry White to destroy it instead of delivering.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-11-23

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Arthur Hamilton Lee

President Roosevelt tells Arthur Hamilton Lee about an interview between German Emperor William II and the American journalist William Bayard Hale, which has been suppressed. In the interview, the Emperor expressed bitterness toward England and said he believed that Japan was preparing for war on the United States. He also stated that war between Germany and England was inevitable. To avoid any bitterness between Germany and the United States, Roosevelt called The New York Times and asked that the interview not be printed. Lee should destroy the letter when he is finished with it.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-10-17

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Arthur Hamilton Lee

President Roosevelt delightedly thanks Arthur Hamilton Lee for the gift of Pinckney Marcius-Simons’s painting, “Seats of the Mighty.” Roosevelt has been trying to find the perfect place worthy of the piece. George Nathaniel Curzon, Chancellor of Oxford, invited Roosevelt to deliver the Romanes lecture upon returning from Africa. While in England, Roosevelt looks forward to seeing Lee and his wife, Ruth Moore Lee. Everything is going well politically, and Roosevelt believes William H. Taft will be elected.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-09-02

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Arthur Hamilton Lee

President Roosevelt recounts for Viscount Lee how pleasant it was to sit for his portrait by Fülöp László. László allowed him to have guests to speak to while he sat, and Anna Cabot Mills Davis Lodge was a common guest. Roosevelt thanks Lee for his work with William Lyon Mackenzie King, and notes that although the issue of Japanese immigration is not acute yet, it could be soon. He also discusses the success of the Great White Fleet’s tour and target practice.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-04-08

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Arthur Hamilton Lee

President Roosevelt tells Arthur Hamilton Lee that Fülöp László has completed his portrait of Roosevelt, and Roosevelt thinks it is the best portrait that has been painted of him.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-03-21

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Arthur Hamilton Lee

President Roosevelt asks Arthur Hamilton Lee to thank Arthur James Balfour for the book that he sent. Roosevelt has recently received a letter from Sir Wilfred Laurier, which he thinks expressed the attitude that Canada, Australia, and the United States should take towards Japan. Just as Japan does not wish to be inundated by English-speakers, Roosevelt believes English speaking countries are within their rights to protect themselves from an influx of immigrants from Asia.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-03-07

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Arthur Hamilton Lee

President Roosevelt asks Arthur Hamilton Lee to cross out a particular sentence in a previous letter he sent before showing it to anyone.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-02-04

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Arthur Hamilton Lee

Responding to a letter from Arthur Hamilton Lee, President Roosevelt notes that A. Maurice Low was blacklisted from access to the White House or other governmental agencies after he printed slanderous material. Roosevelt is surprised that Fabian Ware keeps Low on the staff of London’s Morning Post. Roosevelt agrees to have Fülöp László paint his portrait. Roosevelt also informs Lee about international relations between the United States and Canada, particularly with reference to immigration from Japan. He recounts discussions he has had with William Lyon Mackenzie King on this subject, and what the position of the United States is on the matter–namely, that working class Japanese immigrants should be kept out of English-speaking countries, and that working class immigrants from English-speaking countries should be kept out of Japan.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-02-02

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Arthur Hamilton Lee

President Roosevelt is glad to have received Arthur Hamilton Lee’s letter. He does not need a rest and would rather stay in the fight, but a leader must understand those he serves and maintain their belief in his honesty. He has had to fight against both the mob mentality of the poor and the overwhelming wealth and greed of the powerful. Though his course of action did not cause the panic, it may have hurried its occurrence, and the press, mostly controlled by Wall Street, could sway the public toward William Randolph Hearst or William Jennings Bryan. Roosevelt continues striving to “keep the left center together.” There will likely not be any issue with Great Britain, and while issue could arise with Japan, the Pacific states, Australia, and British Columbia feel the same as the United States does. Roosevelt asks Lee to give an introduction to Fülöp Laszlo, the painter, to see if there will he time to have a portrait painted, as Lee requested.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-12-26

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Arthur Hamilton Lee to Theodore Roosevelt

President Roosevelt sends photographs of him jumping a horse to Arthur Hamilton Lee. He did not get a photograph of the best jump over a brush hurdle. It was impressive that the horse was able to do the jump considering Roosevelt’s weight.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-05-15

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919