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Robert Bridges tells William Loeb that he has a friend who is writing a play, and asks several questions about how a decoration from the Belgium Government would typically be delivered so that his friend can write the play accurately.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-03-02
Ida M. Roosevelt describes the last wishes of her late husband, George W. Roosevelt, to President Roosevelt. George W. Roosevelt had wished, prior to his untimely death, to resign from his post as United States Consul in Brussels to return to the United States to spend his retirement. In addition, he wished to promote his Vice Consul, Gregory Phelan, to a consulship in South America or elsewhere. Ida M. Roosevelt describes Phelan as devoted and talented, and asks President Roosevelt to act on his behalf.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-06-11
President Roosevelt provides Secretary of State Root information regarding a pamphlet that Bellamy Storer sent to the members of the cabinet. Storer did not give a full account of the events that led up to his dismissal from his ambassadorial post. Roosevelt seeks to address this by including the text of letters between himself and the Storers.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-12-02
British Foreign Secretary Grey informs President Roosevelt that Ambassador H. Mortimer Durand will be replaced, and while he understands Roosevelt’s desire to have Arthur Lee in his place, that is politically impossible. Temporarily, Esmé Howard will be sent to Washington as Councillor to the Embassy. Grey appreciated Roosevelt’s explanation of his telegram to German Emperor William after the Portsmouth Peace. Grey explains that his foreign policy is not anti-German, but to be independent he feels it necessary to strengthen the entente with France and come to an agreement with Russia. Grey believes that his generation has had enough of war, and the British people feel a special bond with the United States. Grey hopes the dispute between Canada and the United States over Newfoundland will soon be settled. He also adds that many in Great Britain are upset over reports of slavery and plunder in the Belgian Congo.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-12-04
Dr. Hollander discusses the terms of the contract to settle the debt problem in Santo Domingo. He encloses a plan of adjustment which states that the Dominican Republic has entered into a contract with Kuhn, Loeb & Company for a sale of bonds under a set of terms.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-09-12
This document outlines the plan of the Dominican Republic for adjustment of its debts to various parties through the collection of a tariff and the issuing of bonds. It includes plans for adjustment of debt to specific nations and claim holders.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-09-12
Andrew Carnegie agrees with President Roosevelt on disarmament, although he recognizes that it will be difficult to formulate a satisfactory plan. Carnegie says Roosevelt’s declaration that the United States does not seek to increase the present Navy but only to maintain it will be the great force making for agreement. Carnegie criticizes the practice of failing to give previous notice of war before attacking, and presents the “League of Peace” idea as the easiest and best solution. He encourages Roosevelt to be the one to formally propose it, as the United States is the only great power “free from international jealousies.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-08-27
Jacob H. Hollander has finished his foreign investigations of creditors and landholders in various European countries and will sail for America.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-07-20
Ambassador Sternburg writes President Roosevelt about the terms of the Madrid conference regulating the rights of foreigners in Morocco.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-06-01
Ambassador Tower summarizes the understanding of the United States regarding the new commercial treaties Germany has entered into with various European nations, and asks Baron Oswald von Richthofen, German Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, if the treaty between the United States and Germany signed in 1900 is to continue. Because the 1900 treaty was based on earlier agreements now superseded by the various commercial treaties mentioned above, the United States government hopes that the advantages of the new commercial treaties will likewise be extended to the United States.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-03-03
Edith Wharton asks Theodore Roosevelt to write an introduction to her upcoming work, The Book of the Homeless. She is growing increasingly concerned about war refugees and has started the Children of Flanders Rescue Committee. The book will raise funds for the committee.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1914-1916
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.
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, 1st Viscount Runciman of Doxford, regarding the British government’s opinion of the situation.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
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.
Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site
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.
1916-01-30
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.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1916-06-04
Theodore Roosevelt thanks W. P. Pycraft for his reports on the World War and skulls from the Dutch colonies in South America.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1916-06-14
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.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1916-05-27
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.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
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.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1916-05-29