Parker, John H. (John Henry), 1866-

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1917-10-25

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Recipient

Parker, John H. (John Henry), 1866-

Language

English

Major Beach sends Captain Parker in Fort Snelling, Minnesota, a copy of report number 367. This report is from Captain Mott and is a translation of an article on “Machine Guns in the Present War.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-12-10

Creator(s)

Beach, William D. (William Dorrance), 1856-1932

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1917-05-28

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Recipient

Parker, John H. (John Henry), 1866-

Language

English

Theodore Roosevelt would be happy to have the article printed in the Kansas City Star. Roosevelt writes that he cannot decide the presidential nomination, even if he wished to do so.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1916-01-19

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Theodore Roosevelt would like to review Major Parker’s plan before it is published in order to avoid unnecessary conflict with President Wilson’s administration.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-12-06

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Theodore Roosevelt is impressed with Major Parker’s article and describes it as an “exhaustive study.” However, the article is too long to be used in the press. Roosevelt is also concerned that the public would not understand the article and that its publication could risk a court-martial. He suggests that the article only be discussed among experts. Roosevelt believes in universal military service and thinks that Parker’s plan could work alongside such a policy.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-12-09

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Theodore Roosevelt would like to see Major Parker’s article published, but does not want Parker to put himself in danger of a court-martial. Roosevelt finds the order to prevent the United States Army and United States Navy from speaking to the public inappropriate.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-12-22

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Theodore Roosevelt is glad that John H. Parker is back in the United States, but he is sorry they cannot see each other. Roosevelt says he is “incorrigible” about universal military service and plans to fight for it no matter the cost.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-10-30

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Theodore Roosevelt believes Major John Henry Parker could provide a great service by entering Congress, as the public needs a competent civilian to tell them what needs to be done. The peace propaganda of recent years has damaged the country. The average American is “soft” and seeks to avoid “doing anything that needs work or that implies risk.” The public is pleased that the Wilson administration is shirking its duty with Mexico and Germany.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-06-22

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Theodore Roosevelt is happy to hear from Major Parker but finds it difficult to answer his letter. Roosevelt feels that Parker has a good plan but it would be useless if other Army officials, like General Leonard Wood, oppose it. As a civilian, Roosevelt is not in a position to insert himself into the discussion and advocates for the public’s opinion instead.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-04-02

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

President Roosevelt was pleased to hear from John H. Parker, and was glad to give him the opportunity to organize a machine gun company. He wishes he could accept a pair of Cuban deer, but as he has no place to keep them suggests offering them to the National Zoological Gardens instead.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-01-21

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

President Roosevelt regretfully informs Captain Parker that Benjamin Alvord has been selected for the promotion. If Roosevelt had “consulted [his] personal feelings,” he would have chosen Parker, but he did not want to fill the position on grounds of favoritism. Alvord’s recommendations all came from his superiors and his promotion was recommended by the army staff.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-03-31

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

The Judge Advocate General and Secretary of War Elihu Root have advised President Roosevelt that, in their opinion, Captain Parker is not suited for a position in the Judge Advocate General’s Office. Root is looking for a position where Parker and his “soldierly qualities” can be advanced.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-07-14

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Theodore Roosevelt considers a presidential nomination for Major Parker to be an impossibility. Parker would not receive one delegate if Roosevelt dedicated all his efforts on Parker’s behalf. The only recent military men who have received political consideration are Generals Leonard Wood and George W. Goethals. Roosevelt does not expect to be nominated but may have influence on the final candidates before the convention.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1916-06-05

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Theodore Roosevelt praises John H. Parker for his book hoping that it will become widely known.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1916-06-16

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Theodore Roosevelt agrees with Major Parker on the matter, but he doubts that it is possible to implement the suggested plan.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1916-05-08

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919