Austria

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Lioubomir Michailovitch

Theodore Roosevelt agrees with Serbian Minister Michailovitch’s opinion regarding the importance of July 28, 1914, and argues that beyond simply being the day Germany and its ally Austria-Hungary began the great war, July 28 further raised the question of how the world should deal with the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Roosevelt feels there can be no peace unless the Austro-Hungarian Empire is broken up and its constituent nationalities are given their own states, and mentions also that the Ottoman empire should be similarly divided. The United States should do what it can to assist in this effort by encouraging the revolt of subject peoples and pledging to protect them. Future peace depends on Germany, Austria-Hungary, Bulgaria and Turkey being soundly defeated, and Roosevelt believes Europe should be remade “on the basis of the principle of nationalities.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1918-07-11

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Edward A. Rumely

Theodore Roosevelt agrees with Dr. Rumely that the treaties bind the United States “hand and foot” to Great Britain, France, Italy, and Russia. Roosevelt says the treaties also bind the United States with Germany and Austria in spirit and believes they should be denounced.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1916-01-15

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Ladislaus Hengelmuller von Hengervar

Theodore Roosevelt is puzzled by Ladislaus Hengelmuller von Hengervar’s letter. He has been careful not to make any statement hostile towards Austria and cannot understand Hengelmuller’s attitude towards the sinking of the Lusitania. Roosevelt admires German efficiency but finds them ruthless and indifferent to the rights of other people.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-06-23

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Ludwig Salvator

Theodore Roosevelt thanks Archduke Salvator for his note and will be sending this note and a volume he wrote on South America to him via Ambassador Frederic Courtland Penfield. Roosevelt expresses his regrets on the start of World War I.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-05-29

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Ladislaus Hengelmuller von Hengervar

Theodore Roosevelt was able to secure wide publication of Ladislaus Hengelmuller von Hengervar’s letter. Roosevelt does not believe there is “substantial feeling against Austria-Hungary in America,” but the public is wary of Germany due to the invasion and occupation of Belgium. He does not see the slightest analogy between his actions in Panama and Colombia while president with the German action towards Belgium. Roosevelt had hoped that Austria-Hungary could develop into a “gigantic Switzerland of South-eastern Europe” with equality for the country’s many ethnic groups. Since the nation became prominent in public life, Great Britain has always been friendly towards the United States. This contrasts sharply with Roosevelt’s feeling that, given the opportunity, Germany would force the United States to accept “utter humiliation or war.” He admires Germany and Germans and has always sought friendship between Germany and the United States. However, Roosevelt sees no justification for German conduct in Belgium and he will always judge foreign nations by their conduct.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-03-24

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Albert Apponyi

Until the outbreak of war, Albert Apponyi’s correspondence with Theodore Roosevelt was anti-Austrian and Apponyi considered Roosevelt “lukewarm for liberty” because he wanted Hungary to stay within the Austrian Empire. Roosevelt does not agree that the war is against Russia, as Germany stated that the war is primarily against Great Britain and Russia attempted to have the Austria-Serbia conflict placed before the Hague court. He also disagrees about Belgium and does not believe that Britain would have gone to war if Belgian neutrality had been observed. Roosevelt has friends throughout Europe and is working to prepare the United States so they will not suffer a disaster similar to the Belgians or Poles.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-03-05

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Ladislaus Hengelmuller von Hengervar

Theodore Roosevelt was pleased to be able to secure wide publication of Ladislaus Hengelmuller von Hengervar’s letter. Roosevelt has been concerned about the “terrible war.” He believed it would be advantageous for Bosnia and Herzegovina to enter the Austrian orbit instead of the Ottoman or Serbian. However, the Bosnians and Herzegovinians could not be made loyal to Austria and hindsight shows the annexation to be unwise. Roosevelt understands that the warring nations felt forced to act “by the fatalistic pressure of the past,” except for the case of Belgium whose invasion should have been rebuked by all civilized nations. He concludes by congratulating Hengelmuller von Hengervar for the “genuine national spirit” that has been shown by Austria-Hungary.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1914-11-16

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Edmund von Mach

Theodore Roosevelt thanks Edmund von Mach for his book, which he found to be excellent. Roosevelt agrees about the suffering of the soldiers but does not believe this should divert attention from wrongs done to Belgium. Roosevelt understands that all warring nations believe their cause is just, but he sees no defense for what Germany has done in Belgium. He is a great admirer of Germany and would consider the destruction of the German Empire a great calamity, but he does not believe any good can come from one European nation “smashing” another.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1914-11-07

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Edward North Buxton

Theodore Roosevelt admits to Edward Norton Buxton that he never expected to win the election, but wanted to beat the Republicans, which he did. He does not want another position of prominence, but will continue to fight for Progressive principles. While he will miss British Ambassador to the United States, James Bryce, he looks forward to Cecil Spring Rice becoming ambassador. He hopes that the war in the Balkans will push Turkey out of Europe.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-12-04

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to William H. Taft

President Roosevelt informs President-Elect Taft that he will see Austrian Ambassador Ladislaus Hengelmüller von Hengervár at once to clear up the issue. Some newspapers had reported that Taft and his wife, Helen Herron Taft, had sent a message to a Serbian women’s association, and while it did not seem serious apparently invited anxiety in Austria-Hungary. Roosevelt teases Taft that while he is making up his cabinet, Roosevelt spent the morning testing the rifles for his African safari, and says that “life has compensations!” In a handwritten note at the end, Roosevelt comments on Spencer F. Eddy, who is currently envoy to Romania.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-12-31

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to William Austin Wadsworth

President Roosevelt recommends Assistant Secretary of State Robert Bacon for membership in the Boone and Crockett Club, as he is an excellent hunter and could assist with an exhibition in Austria.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-10-02

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Elihu Root

President Roosevelt draws Secretary of State Root’s attention to a statement recording the number of Japanese immigrants. While there are fewer Japanese immigrants in 1908 than in 1907, the fall-off has not been as sharp as it has been from other countries, and Roosevelt thinks that the results are not yet satisfactory. He asks Root to notify the Japanese government that immigration must be reduced further if they want to avoid an outright exclusion law.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-06-18

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Elihu Root

President Roosevelt believes that the enclosures from German ambassador Hermann Speck von Sternburg prove that the United States would be unwise to not to make preparations for a potential war in the Pacific with Japan. The documents, which he is sending to Secretary of State Root, show that Japan believes it could gain naval supremacy in the event of war.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-04-17

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Charles S. Francis

President Roosevelt thanks Ambassador Francis for the letter and says that he appreciates the words from Franz Joseph I, Emperor of Austria. Roosevelt does not plan to go to Europe after leaving office and says that if he makes any trip, it will be to Africa.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-03-26

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to August Fries

President Roosevelt would be pleased for Count Fries to publish a translation of a chapter from Roosevelt’s book, Outdoor Pastimes of an American Hunter, in a game club’s journal. Roosevelt has a great admiration for big game hunters of the Dual Empire.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-07-20

Telegram from Theodore Roosevelt to Nicholas Longworth

President Roosevelt has received Congressman Longworth’s telegram, and tells him there is no need to visit Austria.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-06-25

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Charles S. Francis

President Roosevelt tells Ambassador Francis that Francis’s predecessor, Bellamy Storer, had been derelict in his duty, and advises him on several actions he could take to begin repairing the damage Storer caused. Roosevelt is not happy about how the Austrian government is handling immigration to the United States and advises Francis to take an interest in immigration and naturalization matters. He also advises Francis to remember that he is ambassador to both Austria and Hungary, and to make sure to not neglect the Hungarian side of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, and to carefully contact Count Albert Apponyi to begin reaching out.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-06-25

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Victor Howard Metcalf

President Roosevelt asks Secretary of Commerce and Labor Metcalf to direct the Bureau of Immigration to make a report regarding the actions of the Austro-Hungarian Government regarding immigration to the United States. Roosevelt has been approached on behalf of some American steamship companies regarding the situation and wonders whether there is any action that needs to be taken. He additionally asks Metcalf about a report by Marcus Braun, former Inspector of Immigration in New York.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-05-28

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Elihu Root

President Roosevelt has been reviewing the case of Marcus Braun. He tells Secretary of State Root that while he did not think it was wise to send Braun to Hungary, the State Department did not support him as well as it should have. He expresses his concerns about immigration from Austria-Hungary, and overall considers the government there “one of the most unfriendly […] to us that there is in Europe.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-05-28

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Albert Apponyi

President Roosevelt congratulates Count Albert Apponyi, and the Hungarian government more generally, for his recent appointment as Minister of Public Instruction. Roosevelt comments on his admiration for Hungary, and speaks of his hopes for the continued success of the dual monarchy of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-04-27