Bryan, William Jennings, 1860-1925

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to John Milliken Parker

Theodore Roosevelt was “astounded” by the letters John Milliken Parker shared and plans to use them in an article in the Metropolitan. Roosevelt asks Parker to tell him immediately if P. A. Lelong receives more information from President Wilson or Secretary of State Bryan. However, Roosevelt warns that Lelong cannot let Wilson or Bryan know that he has taken an interest in the matter.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-05-03

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Isaiah Bowman

Theodore Roosevelt looks forward to receiving Professor Bowman’s book, then gives his opinion on William H. Taft. Roosevelt also makes reference to his disgust at President Wilson’s and Secretary of State Bryan’s handling of international relations.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-05-06

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Ruth Moore Lee

Theodore Roosevelt encloses several articles he has written about the war. He finds it difficult not to condemn the actions and policies of the Wilson administration. The advance of the allies is “very, very slow” but Roosevelt believes that the war will wear down Germany. He is concerned about the Dardanelles campaign and is unsure about diverting resources from the primary objective. Roosevelt concludes with brief updates on several family members.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-05-29

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Flavel Sweeten Luther

Theodore Roosevelt used one of Flavel Sweeten Luther’s letters in his book on World War I. Like Luther, Roosevelt has never been able to make an impression on pacifists. Roosevelt believes that Woodrow Wilson and William Jennings Bryan subordinate public consideration to personal advantage.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-05-29

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to T. James Bowlker

Theodore Roosevelt writes about his desire to go to San Francisco by way of the Canadian Pacific Railway, but expects he cannot do so without stopping to make speeches all along the way, as he has already received numerous invitations. Roosevelt feels he must not speak in Canada because his critical views on the U.S. position on avoiding World War I would be unfavorable against his home country. He also references the labor union disputes in England.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-04-02

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to E. A. Filene

Theodore Roosevelt is doubtful of E. A. Filene’s peace proposition and is opposed to recognizing that Americans of foreign birth have divided interests due to their affiliation with foreign countries. He does not want to encourage “group political action by nationality or creed.” Roosevelt argues that the only peace worth having is a righteous peace as “nonrighteous peace may be as evil as the most unrighteous war.” He faults President Wilson and Secretary of State Bryan for not living up to the country’s international obligations and failing to follow a policy of military readiness. Roosevelt concludes by comparing Wilson and Bryan to Spain’s Prince, Manuel de Godoy, whose policies reduced his country to “complete impotency,” lost Spain’s American possessions, and led to a French invasion under Napoleon.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-04-05

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to W. C. Brewer

Theodore Roosevelt declines W. C. Brewer’s invitation to address Brewer’s points in writing. Roosevelt believes President Wilson’s administration has dishonored the United States.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-04-10

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to John Hodges Choate

Theodore Roosevelt agrees with Joseph Choate that Germany should pay for its action about Louvain. This will be impossible under the neutrality of the Wilson administration. Roosevelt mentions that Jane Addams and her committee would like to forbid the export of arms to those involved in World War I, but Roosevelt believes those fighting Germany should have access to weapons.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-04-10

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to William S. Lawwill

Theodore Roosevelt invites Judge William S. Lawwill to New York to speak about his problems in person rather than through letter. Roosevelt agrees with Lawwill’s views on the Wilson Administration and promises to keep the contents of Lawwill’s letter confidential.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-04-10

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to George E. Miller

Theodore Roosevelt wants George E. Miller to come see him so that he can explain his reasoning. Roosevelt rejects Miller’s proposal, believing nothing can come of it if they declare a position with no action to back it up, just as President Woodrow Wilson and Secretary of State William Jennings Bryan are doing. Roosevelt says the administration’s actions are hurting the country.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-04-10

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Charles Hitchcock Sherrill

Theodore Roosevelt will read the article Charles H. Sherrill sent with great interest and looks forward to the publication of the book. Roosevelt comments on the “awful mess” President Woodrow Wilson and William Jennings Bryan have made of foreign affairs.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1916-04-10

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Charles C. Bull

Theodore Roosevelt feels sickened by the way “good people of the emotional temperance type and of the loose-minded reformer type” seem to worship William Jennings Bryan. Roosevelt is equally frustrated with President Wilson.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-03-23

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Seth Bullock

Theodore Roosevelt writes to Seth Bullock about his frustration with the Wilson administration. Roosevelt hopes that the Republican party will not make it impossible for decent men to support them.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-03-23

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to John Quinn

Theodore Roosevelt enjoyed the volumes and books that John Quinn sent him. Roosevelt is sending some of Connolly’s books to Quinn.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-03-23

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to John St. Loe Strachey

Theodore Roosevelt comments on a recent statement by James Bryce, which he believes gives justification to those in the United States who support President Woodrow Wilson’s administration and its pacifist stance toward the war in Europe. Roosevelt has advocated for America to act in defense of Belgium’s neutrality, not for her to stand with England. Although he believes in the friendship of America and England, he has not hesitated to stand for America’s rights when necessary. Wilson’s administration, while speaking of neutrality toward England and Germany, has through its policies and words lent aid to Germany and against the Allies. Roosevelt believes that Bryce’s statement has given support for this stance and done great harm to the Allied cause in the United States.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-03-23

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Charles J. Bonaparte

Theodore Roosevelt writes Charles J. Bonaparte that he was “immensely struck” by the implications in the Archbishop of Mexico’s recent remarks. When asked to speak on the matter, Roosevelt thought it best “to do something, however inadequate, than nothing at all.” Roosevelt wishes President Wilson and the Secretary of State had allowed Secretary of War Garrison to take the “movement his way.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-03-30

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to James Bryce

Theodore Roosevelt believes it is an inopportune time to attempt the creation of a “World League for Peace.” Before any world league is organized, the nations of the world need to meet and enforce current international obligations, which includes having free nations prepared for war. Roosevelt argues that military preparedness is the only way to maintain and enforce peace. He wishes that the United States had defended Belgium but also faults the British for infringing on neutrality. Roosevelt admires Viscount Bryce but regrets that Bryce’s influence will be used to argue in favor of a doctrine that no duty is owed if carrying out that duty “entails risk or hardship.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-03-30

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Winthrop Chanler

In the next issue of Metropolitan Magazine, Theodore Roosevelt goes after German Americans “without gloves.” If the United States goes to war with Germany, he believes he could raise enough men of German ancestry to “put down all the traitorous citizens at home and also fight the Germans abroad.” Roosevelt is feeling warlike and thinks there is “good fighting material” in the United States.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-03-13

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Frederick A. Mahan

Theodore Roosevelt asks if Frederick A. Mahan has read his book America and the World War. He agrees with Mahan’s stance on America’s military readiness and condemns President Woodrow Wilson’s and Secretary of State William Jennings Bryan’s policy of American neutrality in the war.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-03-13

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Pearl Wight

Theodore Roosevelt tells Progressive National Committee Member Pearl Wight that he agrees that the American people are apathetic, especially on the issue of American interest and honor in Mexico, making them more to blame than President Wilson and Secretary of State William Jennings Bryan for the situation. Roosevelt recalls a speech by former Vermont Senator Redfield Proctor.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-03-13