Belgium | - Theodore Roosevelt Center

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Albert Kuhn

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

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Frederick A. Reiter

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

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Otto C. Butz

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

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Frederick H. Schwan

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

Introduction to The Book of the Homeless

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

Preface to Made in Germany

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

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to William Gorham Rice

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

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1914-12-22

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to George Otto Trevelyan

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

Speech delivered in Portland, Maine, March 28, 1918

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

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Charles Page Bryan

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

Diary of Theodore Roosevelt from September 9 to December 2, 1869

Eleven-year-old Theodore Roosevelt documents his trip through Europe in this diary he titled “My journal of Northern Italy.” There are entries for Italy, Austria, Saxony, Belgium, Prussia and France. Roosevelt created a geographic index at the end.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1869

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Susan Dexter Dalton Cooley

Theodore Roosevelt writes Susan Dexter Dalton Cooley to express his thoughts on an article by G. Lowes Dickinson. Roosevelt believes that the way Dickinson is trying to develop an international league will not work. Such a league must be based on military force. To refuse to fight results in less peace, not more. The United States should have offered help to Belgium to maintain peace. He does agree countries should come together on account of their race or desire to unite.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1914-12-02

Telegram from Theodore Roosevelt to Léopold II, King of the Belgians

President Roosevelt extends wishes of “welfare and prosperity” in the coming year for the King of Belgium, his family, and for the people of Belgium.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-12-30

Telegram from Léopold II, King of the Belgians to Theodore Roosevelt

King Léopold II of Belgium extends his sincere wishes to President Roosevelt, to his family, and to U.S. citizens.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-12-30

Letter from J. Lincoln Steffens to Theodore Roosevelt

J. Lincoln Steffens of McClure’s Magazine describes Joseph Conrad to President Roosevelt. He asks his approval to send a note to Conrad authored by Roosevelt. Steffens refers to a man from Chicago who is knowledgeable about the Internal Revenue Services.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-11-02

Letter from Bellamy Storer to Theodore Roosevelt

Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary of Austria-Hungary Bellamy Storer informs President Roosevelt of a recent visit by King of the Belgians Léopold II. Storer discusses tensions in the Congo between the British and Belgian governments and European colonization in the Congo, referencing editorials in The Times, the Treaty of Berlin, the French explorer Pierre Savorgnon de Brazza, and rumors of Belgian atrocities in Congo, using Belgian explorer Henry M. Stanley as an exemplar.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-10-22

Letter from David R. Francis to George B. Cortelyou

David Rowland Francis, president of the Louisiana Purchase Exposition, is in the process of inviting European royalty to the exposition and acquiring their acceptance. Royalty will also need to be entertained and Francis hopes that Congress can commit to a provision for entertainment.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-10-20