Belgium

The Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal reprints the foreword and three chapters (two, five, and nine) from Theodore Roosevelt’s 1915 work America and the World War. In the foreword, Roosevelt expounds on the need for preparedness and criticizes President Woodrow Wilson for not bolstering the nation’s defenses. In chapter two, “The Belgian Tragedy,” Roosevelt states that neutral Belgium was a victim of German aggression, and he warns that failing to arm leads to such violations of a nation’s neutrality. Roosevelt invokes his famous maxim of “speak softly and carry a big stick,” and he makes several references to George Washington and Abraham Lincoln and their attitudes towards war and peace. Roosevelt says that international bodies and treaties that promote arbitration are worthless unless they are backed with the threat of force.

In chapter five, “How to Strive for World Peace,” Roosevelt stresses that nations either need to rely on themselves for their defense, or international bodies and treaties must have provisions so that violations of agreements and boundaries are punished by force. Roosevelt opens chapter nine, “Our Peacemaker, the Navy,” with a call to not extend a security guarantee to the Philippine Islands if the United States is committed to their independence. Roosevelt also argues that the navy needs to be used for offensive operations and not for coastal defense, and he excoriates the Wilson administration, especially Secretary of the Navy Josephus Daniels, for not maintaining the readiness of the navy with regular training and maneuvers.

Collection

Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal

A clipping from London-based newspaper The Times (with no author credit) sent to President Roosevelt by second secretary in the American Embassy at London John R. Carter. The article talks about recent activity in the Congo. The article mentions the Belgian government’s annexation of the area. The clipping ends with a long quote from Walter Runciman, 1^st Viscount Runciman of Doxford, regarding the British government’s opinion of the situation.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-12-20

The two-sided handbill features a reprint from the Boston Evening Transcript. The first side includes text referencing the United States’ neutrality in the “European War” and calling attention to an “editorial which appeared in the Providence Journal, soon after the start of the European War, and which was reprinted by the Boston Transcript, as shown on the following page.” On the reverse side, the cartoon entitled “Convicted!” shows a small girl, labeled “Belgium,” pointing at an over-sized German soldier. Below the cartoon is an editorial condemning German atrocities in Belgium.

Collection

Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site

Creation Date

1914-10-16

Text of the speech delivered by Theodore Roosevelt before the Brooklyn Institute of Arts and Sciences on January 30, 1916. Roosevelt calls for the United States to carry out its international duties and support military readiness.

Collection

Newberry Library

Creation Date

1916-01-30

Theodore Roosevelt thanks W. P. Pycraft for his reports on the World War and skulls from the Dutch colonies in South America.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1916-06-14

Theodore Roosevelt denies advocating for war over the invasion of Belgium and argues that war with Mexico, due to the murder of American citizens, has a greater demand for action. Roosevelt sympathizes with the Irish, but there are other people in similar situations, such as the Danes of North Schleswig and French of Lorraine. He sees no reason why the Irish situation requires American action, but North Schleswig and Lorraine do not. Roosevelt believes it is foolish to believe that the United States is under British influence. He directs J. P. O’Mahony to his recent book, Fear God and Take Your Own Part, for further discussion of his views.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1916-06-04

Theodore Roosevelt appreciates the invitation but will be unable to make a speech at Dubuque German College. Roosevelt disagrees that the proper American policy towards the war is neutrality. He cannot be neutral towards Belgium and Germany after Belgium has been “dreadfully wronged.” Many aspects of the war are debatable but Roosevelt will not be neutral between right and wrong. He denies supporting any foreign country and is pledged only to the United States.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1916-05-22

Theodore Roosevelt writes a letter of introduction for Hendrika Van Der Flier, who is raising money to help the Belgian war orphans in Holland. Roosevelt encourages Hiram Johnson, governor of California, to give Miss Van Der Flier any possible aid in her mission to raise funds to care for the children.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1916-05-29

Theodore Roosevelt provides a letter of introduction for Hendrika Van Der Flier who is trying to raise support for the Belgian refugees in Holland. Roosevelt commends the work she is doing and encourages U. S. Grant to show her appropriate courtesy.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1916-05-29

Theodore Roosevelt thanks James Lane Pennypacker for the friendly letter and will use the language he suggests in an upcoming speech in Saint Louis, Missouri. However, he has often used this language but cannot make the public pay attention. Roosevelt cannot be neutral between Germany and Belgium as no one should be neutral between right and an “immensely powerful wrong.” He would have denounced the British or French just as quickly if they had acted like Germany.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1916-05-27

Theodore Roosevelt tells Otto C. Butz that the only statement he has made about peace is that he cannot accept any peace that would not restore Belgium to her people.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1916-05-21

Germany was the first belligerent nation to violate American rights and German violations are of much greater consequence then the British interfering with American trade and mail. The United States failed to effectively protest after the sinking of the Lusitania which has limited protests of subsequent, smaller offenses. Roosevelt sends Frederick A. Reiter a copy of his book, Fear God and Take Your Own Part, and directs him to several passages. He has taken a stand for Belgium and wants each nation to be treated according to its conduct.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1916-05-10

Theodore Roosevelt responds to Frederick H. Schwan’s suggestion that he should modify his statements about Belgium in order to ensure votes from Irishmen and Germans. Roosevelt asserts the importance of voting as an American above all else. Roosevelt is not seeking nomination but is “vitally interested” in the welfare of the United States.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1916-04-15

Theodore Roosevelt introduces Made in Germany by F. M. Sprague. He calls attention to what it says about the failure of the United States to perform its duty in relation to the world war.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-08-16

Introduction for The Book of the Homeless edited by Edith Wharton. The book is being sold to raise funds for refugees of the world war and Theodore Roosevelt calls for Americans to help ease their suffering.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915

Theodore Roosevelt is looking forward to reading William Gorham Rice’s book.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1914-12-22

Theodore Roosevelt gives a description of his travels after completing the safari portion of the 1909-1910 expedition. Roosevelt traveled from Khartoum to London and visited many European countries along the way. He provides descriptions and opinions on the countries he visited and the people he met, particularly the members of European royalty.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1911-10-01

Draft of a speech with handwritten corrections. Theodore Roosevelt argues for a complete victory over Germany and her allies. Americans must only be fully American. Those who seek to be German and American are traitors. The United States “drifted into war unarmed and helpless” even though all signs indicated that intervention would be necessary. The American military is still not an effective force and all efforts need to be made to speed up the war and introduce a “policy of permanent preparedness.” Roosevelt believes that part of this preparation should be support for small farmers and wage workers.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1918-03-28

Arnold White writes about the international situation in Europe, addressing first Russia’s desire for a warm water port, and then his impression of Germany’s goals with regards to Europe. Germany, White says, is the only nation with something to gain from a European war, and that the push for war is coming from the Jewish influence in Germany. With President Roosevelt’s election and friendship towards Germany, the United States has been removed as a potential deterrent toward German aggression. White ends with a prediction that if war happens, it will come through German aggression towards the Netherlands moving towards a collision with Great Britain, and he admonishes his reader that Germany must be watched.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-04

Theodore Roosevelt asks Minister to Belgium Charles Page Bryan to arrange for Roosevelt to meet Belgian Interior Minister Jules Renkin so he can express his appreciation for the way Belgian officers treated Roosevelt in Lado.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1910-03-17