Your TR Source
President Roosevelt writes to Jerry A. Mathews that the Progressive Party should remain united and wait things out. Roosevelt states that he could never support President Wilson and William Jennings Bryan.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1914-12-31
Theodore Roosevelt enjoyed William Allen White’s letter and his article in the Saturday Evening Post. Roosevelt has long been concerned about American foreign policy, even though the issue is not popular with the public. He is worried about the future if the nation continues to combine “bluster with impotence.” Roosevelt thinks the team of President Wilson, Secretary of State Bryan, and Secretary of the Navy Daniels is the worst to ever hold power. He could never support them and has been expressing his feelings since the end of the 1914 election. Roosevelt suggests the best course of action is to sit tight and reassess the situation in a year.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1914-12-22
Theodore Roosevelt praises Nicholas Longworth on the capital speech and extraordinary figures, which he will see if he can use. Roosevelt thinks they make a startling indictment of the good faith of President Wilson and his supporters. Roosevelt also shares a humorous story about receiving a Christmas letter along with a Navy Department calendar from Secretary of the Navy Josephus Daniels, “that preposterous old grape-juice gentleman,” despite the fact that Roosevelt has attacked Daniels as strongly as he has attacked Wilson and Secretary Bryan.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1914-12-23
Theodore Roosevelt agrees with Charles C. Bull and is also utterly sick of the Wilson administration. Roosevelt is writing articles on the war, and they are Pro-Belgium rather than being anti-German or Pro-English. Roosevelt signs it “your old Colonel.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1914-12-22
Theodore Roosevelt finds it incredible that Californians can support President Wilson’s peace policy and unpreparedness for war while their actions against the Japanese are the most likely danger for war. Roosevelt is indignant at Wilson and Secretary of State William Jennings Bryan but did not attack them during the campaign at the request of other Progressives. He regrets not being able to visit California to campaign for Francis J. Heney and Governor Johnson.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1914-12-22
President Roosevelt thanks Major Llewellyn for his letter and expresses his “red-hot” dislike for the policies and actions of President Wilson and William Jennings Bryan. Roosevelt requests the name of any Americans killed in Arizona.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1914-12-16
Theodore Roosevelt tells John B. Van Schaick that it would be “worse than folly” for him to write a letter to Mr. Bryan. Roosevelt does not think that Van Schaick will need a letter, but if he thinks one is necessary he should ask a local minister.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1914-12-16
Theodore Roosevelt tells J. William White that he has written to Captain Rice, and he will allow White to keep the letter from Dernburg. Roosevelt is impressed by creative descriptions of President Wilson, and he declares that Wilson is a more “noxious man” than Secretary of State Bryan.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1914-12-16
Theodore Roosevelt is pleased that Senator Lodge appreciated his article on Mexico, and he is considering another article about the outrages committed against American citizens. Roosevelt does not agree with President Wilson’s peace policy, with Mexico or in Europe. At the request of his friends, he did not attack Wilson’s policy before the election as it might harm them. However, Roosevelt now intends to “smite the administration with a heavy hand.” Wilson has no intention to investigate the country’s military unpreparedness, and Roosevelt believes that Wilson and Secretary of State William Jennings Bryan are the “worst men we ever had in their positions.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1914-12-08
Theodore Roosevelt will write to Governor Johnson again regarding proposed legislation that has an interest for the Japanese. Roosevelt criticizes President Wilson and his administration’s management of international affairs.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1914-11-30
Theodore Roosevelt considers G. Lowes Dickinson as a dreamer who “treats facts as irrelevant to the work of life.” International peace must be backed by an international force on the basis that “might shall be put behind right.” An international force is not possible until the “civilized states” guarantee to use force against recalcitrant states. The United States could have taken an important step by acting on behalf of Belgium’s neutrality but President Wilson did not take this step and pacifists cheered him for this “treachery to the cause of peace.” Dickinson is damaging his cause by basing it on false grounds. Roosevelt argues that all nations are not equal and making believe they are will only create “far-reaching harm.” Mankind has benefited from European colonization, and treating the natives as equal to white colonists will lead to the death of all colonists and many natives. Dickinson strives for much that is right but will remain utterly powerless.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1914-12-02
Theodore Roosevelt sees a gloomy future due to the war. Most of all, he believes Belgium needs to be given reparations and guaranteed protection from future invasion. He would rather see indefinite war then give up these goals. Roosevelt does not agree with Oscar S. Straus regarding Secretary of State William Jennings Bryan’s arbitration treaties and states that “sheer criminality” requires action and not investigations. He describes President Woodrow Wilson and Bryan as “the very most contemptible figures” that ever controlled American foreign affairs.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1914-11-23
Theodore Roosevelt writes that he would like to read Charles C. Bull’s full conversation with the Kaiser, if he would write it out. Roosevelt thinks that Woodrow Wilson and William Jennings Bryan have made a dreadful spectacle of foreign policy.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1914-11-24
Theodore Roosevelt believes the Wilson administration has behaved scandalously. Roosevelt complains about Henry Van Dyke praising Woodrow Wilson and William Jennings Bryan.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1914-11-28
Theodore Roosevelt expresses his pride in Arthur Lee, Viscount of Fareham, who is at the front. He remembers the time Arthur was with him during the Spanish-American War, and expresses his sympathy for Mrs. Lee, though he knows she supports her husband in what he is doing. He promises to send recent writings of his on political events and the conduct of the war. He criticizes the leadership and lack of foreign policy experience of President Wilson and William Jennings Bryan. He concludes his letter by discussing the service of his daughter Ethel, as well as her husband, Richard Derby.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1914-11-30
Theodore Roosevelt feels that the public has tired of him and he has little hope for a permanent Progressive Party. Americans are wedded to the two party system and will only support a third party for temporary or local reasons. The Progressive Party failed to establish itself as the second party and the political situation will “sink back into the conditions that had been normal.” The party also attracted too many cranks and became associated in the public’s mind with the “lunatic fringe.” The country is tired of reform, reform leaders, and reform legislation. Roosevelt still believes they are fighting for righteousness and was pleased to campaign for his friends. However, he doubts his further political usefulness and believes his participation will likely hurt the causes he supports. The feeling against Roosevelt in New York amounts to a “mania” and the poor election results may help William Barnes win the libel suit.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1914-11-07
Theodore Roosevelt will not be attending the Progressive Party conference in Chicago, Illinois. Governor Johnson’s election is the one great Progressive success and Roosevelt hopes Johnson will attend the conference to outline the future course of the party and help quell public quarrels. Roosevelt is concerned about Japanese discrimination in California and the drastic legislation that may be introduced. He suggests that the legislation is being supported by Germans in an effort to sour relations between the United States and Japan. Roosevelt suggests ignoring the “Japanese question” until the conclusion of the European war. He wants to treat the Japanese with courtesy but on the understanding that Americans will not immigrate en mass to Japan and the Japanese will not immigrate en mass to the United States. Roosevelt is distressed at the foreign policy of President Wilson and Secretary of State Bryan. He wants a coherent foreign policy that takes “efficient steps to strengthen us.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1914-11-16
Theodore Roosevelt encloses several articles he has written on the situation in Europe. Roosevelt disagrees with President Wilson’s and Secretary of State Bryan’s attitude toward foreign affairs. However, he is reluctant to speak out about what actions he would have taken as president because he is powerless to see anything done. He believes that England is “entirely right” and that there can be no peace until the wrongs against Belgium have been redressed. Roosevelt has not publicly addressed the “outrages against individuals” due to the large amount of conflicting testimony. He likes the German people and believes that many have been “influenced by genuine fear.” Roosevelt agrees that there is a danger to the United States but Americans that share this view are a minority and Roosevelt’s political influence is “nearly gone.” He requests that Rudyard Kipling keep his letter confidential and write frankly about the articles, as well as anything else he should speak out about.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1914-10-03
The Progressive Party is in a “hopeless struggle” but Theodore Roosevelt’s friends are fighting and he must support them. However, he hopes to find time to see Isabella Selmes Ferguson and the children. Roosevelt agrees with the Spectator article; England is right, the wrongs against Belgium must be redressed, and in the future Russia may be the greatest threat to civilization. Roosevelt fears the consequences of breaking up Germany but Western Europe cannot be left at Germany’s mercy. He regrets that President Wilson and Secretary of State Bryan are leading the nation through the crisis.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1914-10-05
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.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1914-11-04