Belgium

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Hugo Munsterberg

Theodore Roosevelt does not believe there can be a satisfactory peace until the wrongs against Belgium have been redressed. He thinks that most Germans acted out of an “honorable fear,” but a small portion, including many German leaders, have pursued an aggressive foreign policy regardless of the rights of other nations and international morality. Belgium has been ruined and Roosevelt wants them to receive reparations and a guarantee that the wrongs will not be repeated. He agrees that Russians are backwards but argues that liberal ideas are gaining ground and that a liberal Russia will prevent “Asiatic rule over Europe.” Roosevelt is not a pacifist and seeks peace by “putting international force behind an international desire to secure at least a reasonable approximation toward justice and fair play.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1914-10-03

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Cecil Spring Rice

Theodore Roosevelt is glad that Cecil Spring Rice liked his article in The Outlook. If he had been president, Roosevelt would have called attention to the guarantee of Belgium’s neutrality and accepted the Hague treaties as imposing a serious obligation that must be enforced by the United States and other neutral nations. He would have backed up this statement with force and believes the American people would have followed him. However, as people tend to follow the president in a crisis, the majority are now with President Wilson. Roosevelt compares the situation to the negotiations to end the Russo-Japanese War, which required explicit assurances from both nations and months of negotiations, and the presidential election of 1864, where many who favored peace voted against Abraham Lincoln.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1914-10-03

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Elbert F. Baldwin

Theodore Roosevelt asks about Elbert F. Baldwin’s wife and expresses sadness over the World War. Belgium and England did what was necessary.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1914-10-05

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Rudyard Kipling

Theodore Roosevelt encloses several articles he has written on the war in Europe which call for American military preparation and stress the nation’s duty to interfere on behalf of Belgium. He does not state the form of interference, as the American public would not support him. Roosevelt views the American public as short sighted with far too much confidence in their security across the Atlantic Ocean. He has a low opinion of President Woodrow Wilson and Secretary of State William Jennings Bryan. Roosevelt has not seen first hand statements regarding the German outrages in Belgium and recommends that Great Britain launch an investigation among the Belgian refugees. Strong evidence is needed to reach world opinion.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1914-11-04

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Hall Caine

Theodore Roosevelt tells Hall Caine he does not have time to write an article for Caine’s book.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1914-11-05

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Charles McCarthy

Theodore Roosevelt is pleased that Charles McCarthy liked what he said about John James Blaine. Roosevelt doubts McCarthy’s claim that he is popular, as he believes citizens of German descent will resent his attitude about Belgium. Roosevelt thinks if Americans really believe in world righteousness and the nation’s duty to do something for international decency, then the country is not to be excused if it fails to protect against Germany’s action toward Belgium. Roosevelt felt it was his duty to act, although he regrets having to do so. As to civil and internal affairs, Roosevelt says he will fight for the things for which the country stands just as long as he has breath.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1914-11-06

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Charles J. Bonaparte

Theodore Roosevelt compliments Charles J. Bonaparte for the articles he has written on the Monroe Doctrine and the European war. However, Roosevelt believes that the United States should “act under the Hague Treaties in connection with Belgium.” The treaties were signed and must be acted upon. The Progressive Party was too advanced for the average man and attracted too many cranks. America’s two party system has become too entrenched to overcome. In 1912 the economy was the major issue; a workingman “was not interested in social and industrial justice.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1914-11-07

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Emily Tyler Carow

Theodore Roosevelt approves of Emily Tyler Carow’s actions after the outbreak of war in Europe and hopes that Italy will not be drawn into war. He understands Carow’s desire to stay in Italy and will not try to influence her as there appears to be no imminent danger. Roosevelt is distressed at the “awful cataclysm” in Europe and describes what is happening in Belgium as “enough to wring a man’s soul.” The Roosevelt family is doing well. Kermit and Belle Roosevelt have been staying at Sagamore Hill before traveling to South America and Roosevelt has been able to see his other children and grandchildren often. In a postscript, Roosevelt asks Carow to thank the consul general at Genoa, Italy for his courtesy and efficiency towards Americans in his province.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1914-09-01

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Albert Apponyi

Theodore Roosevelt forwarded Albert Apponyi’s article to The Outlook but cannot guarantee its publication. He has felt out of sympathy with the pacifist movement and agrees with Apponyi that not all questions are suitable for arbitration or international inquiry. Roosevelt is “inexpressibly saddened” by the war in Europe and states that both sides have sincere convictions. He has no doubt that Belgium has been wronged, which must be addressed if “treaties are ever to amount to anything.” Roosevelt has many European friends and laments what is happening.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1914-09-17

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to R. J. Cunninghame

President Roosevelt reiterates that R. J. Cunninghame has full authority over the caravan management for his safari. Roosevelt has already cabled about hiring Leslie J. Tarlton, but wonders if Tarlton could initially be hired for only the first part of the trip. Roosevelt knows himself to be an inexpert marksman, but he does not want others to kill the game for him. After updating Cunninghame on the permissions he recently received from the Belgian government, Roosevelt outlines his hunting goals and tentative schedule for his first few weeks in Africa. He encloses a paraphrased letter he just received from a “Boer sympathizer” who has made a potentially advantageous offer.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1909-02-07

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Jules Renkin

President Roosevelt thanks the Belgian minister of colonies, Jules Renkin, for the letters he just received. He appreciates the Belgian government’s generosity, and will not abuse their hospitality. 

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1909-02-07

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

President Roosevelt returns King Léopold II’s new years wishes.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-01-03

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Whitelaw Reid

President Roosevelt tells Ambassador Reid that he agrees with Robert Harry Munro Ferguson’s recommendation about how to communicate about the treaty between Japan and England. He also discusses the background of the situation currently going on regarding ownership of the Hankow railway in China. At China’s insistence, J. Pierpont Morgan and other American financiers are willing to accept a concession payment and give up their stake in the railway, although Roosevelt told them that the American government was willing to back up their rights to the contract they had signed.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-09-16

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to John Hay

President Roosevelt has received unexpected support in his campaign and wonders if Secretary of State Hay has anything to do with it. Venezuelan President Cipriano Castro appears to be riding for a fall, and if he misbehaves Roosevelt believes the customs house should be put in the hands of the Belgians.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-08-30

Public – No. 236

An act making appropriations for the diplomatic and consular service for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1907. The act stipulates funding for salaries of ambassadors and ministers, salaries of secretaries of embassies and legations, contingent expenses, foreign missions, and a number of international bureaus and commissions among other things.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-08-28

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Richard Harding Davis

President Roosevelt shares his concerns about some of the members of the American diplomatic and consular service with Richard Harding Davis. Minister to Belgium Lawrence Townsend and Minister to Spain Arthur Sherburne Hardy are two examples of men who are the “pink-tea type,” hosting dinners instead of doing “hard work.” By contrast, Roosevelt admires Ambassador to Japan Lloyd Carpenter Griscom, Consul General to Egypt John Wallace Riddle, and Henry White. Roosevelt wants Davis to tell him about any men who are not doing their job, as the president wants to remove them when he makes changes on March 4.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-01-03

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Maria Longworth Storer

President Roosevelt thanks Maria Longworth Storer for the picture of himself in uniform by Encke. Bellamy Storer is to give King Léopold II of the Belgians, Roosevelt’s greetings if they meet again. Roosevelt has followed Leopold’s career and is impressed with Belgium’s role in the development of Africa. Finally, President Roosevelt judges his first year as President and provides an update on the members of the Roosevelt family.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-12-08

Letter from L. H. Bailey to Theodore Roosevelt

L. H. Bailey shares his feelings on the necessity of preparedness in response to Theodore Roosevelt’s recent statement on the topic. He believes it a mistake to “confuse militarism and war-for-glory with adequate preparation for defense.” Because of the many governmental checks and the lack of such a history in the United States, Bailey does not fear militarism. However, he does caution the over-development of the military establishment.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1916-02-09

Letter from James Brown Scott to Theodore Roosevelt

James Brown Scott acquired a copy of Ordeal by Battle by Frederick Scott Oliver at the recommendation of Theodore Roosevelt. He lays out the case for intervention on the part of the United States in World War I, citing international law established at the Hague Peace Conferences, Germany’s violation of Belgian neutrality, and the history of similar cases such as the 1861 Trent Affair.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-07-27

Legislation on the continent of Europe

This report compiled by Luther Hess Waring contains the laws of various European countries regarding futures, options, and other limitations that affect stock exchanges. The countries included in the document are Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland, with particular attention paid to the German Empire.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-03-19