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Observations of Theodore Roosevelt writing to Ambassador Bryce regarding the prospect of a peace agreement between the United States and Great Britain.
Sagamore Hill National Historic Site
1912-06-02
Theodore Roosevelt writes to his sister about his time in London. He describes the numerous invitations he has received to dine and hunt, and admits that he has turned down several invitations to spend time meeting with those in London’s intellectual circles, including John Morley and James Bryce.
1886-11-22
Theodore Roosevelt thanks Viscount Grey for his letter and sympathizes with his party’s political situation. Roosevelt has no regrets about losing the 1912 presidential election but worries that not seizing the current opportunity to fight for social and industrial justice will have negative ramifications in the future. Changing topics, Roosevelt writes about the need to fight on heroically after an attempted assassination, recounting his own story about finishing his speech. Finally, Roosevelt is relieved that Sir Cecil Spring-Rice is likely to succeed Ambassador James Bryce.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-11-15
Theodore Roosevelt’s secretary is unaware of quotations from Henry Labouchère regarding Roosevelt. He will be unable to provide the other opinions on Roosevelt requested by Elizabeth Towne, as they do not keep clippings which reference Roosevelt. The secretary suggests numerous people whom Towne could contact for these opinions.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-10-03
Theodore Roosevelt will try to help Stewart Edward White. He suggests that White send him a letter that he can forward to British Ambassador James Bryce, along with one from him, vouching for White and requesting permission.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-11-28
Theodore Roosevelt is surprised by Ambassador James Bryce’s questions to William S. Cowles about fortifying the Panama Canal, which he compares to the Strait of Gibraltar. It is not a current enemy they are fortifying against but a future one, such as Germany or Japan. Roosevelt argues that fleets are not a substitute for fortifications. Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt is “very much shattered” but is “slowly improving.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-10-27
Theodore Roosevelt muses about whether he could let a letter from Charles Dwight Willard leak, especially as George G. Hill and British Ambassador James Bryce think highly of it. He appreciated seeing the copy of the letter that Hill sent to Roscoe C. E. Brown, as it allayed his suspicion that the story had been leaked by someone at the White House, which angered him to think about. The Associated Press appears to be creating fake news surrounding Roosevelt, “both by the suppression of the truth and the suggestion of the false.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-06-13
Theodore Roosevelt urges Lady Bryce to come down on Wednesday for the night if possible, as he will not be able to talk with Ambassador Bryce during the lunch at The Outlook office.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-04-21
President Roosevelt is determined to shoot a white rhinoceros on his African safari, and would like Ambassador Reid to speak with Lord Crewe about his obtaining permission to hunt in the same places in Uganda as Winston Churchill did. He would like Reid to inquire if the British Museum would like a white rhinoceros specimen if he is lucky enough to shoot three; the first two are promised to the Smithsonian Institution. He discusses a number of international events including the situation in India, and the ongoing controversy between the United States and England that arose during the summer Olympics.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-11-27
President Roosevelt thanks Edward North Buxton for being willing to go see Lord Crewe. He assures Buxton that he and his son Kermit will be the only two in the safari party who are shooting, and they will largely only shoot animals for the National Museum. They may bring back only a dozen personal trophies between the two of them. Roosevelt discusses his itinerary for the trip, and lists all of the animals he hopes to shoot, in order of most important.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-07-21
President Roosevelt writes to Edward North Buxton about his upcoming safari, including details about the outfitting of his trip, as well as his travel plans. Roosevelt will accept Alfred E. Pease’s invitation to visit his ranch to begin his journey and get acclimated. He then plans to make several trips from the railway to get into good game-country. Roosevelt plans to get Kermit Roosevelt a camera to do photography on the trip, and hopes to have a couple field taxidermists accompany him as well, as the trip will have a naturalist purpose behind it.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-06-25
Theodore Roosevelt compliments Frederick Scott Oliver’s book, Alexander Hamilton. If the United States enters the war, Roosevelt hopes to raise a cavalry regiment similar to the Rough Riders and serve with his four sons. He argues that Great Britain would probably not have entered the war if Germany had respected Belgian neutrality and is distressed at his own country’s failures to defend international rights. Roosevelt has been annoyed at the activity of pacifists. English pacifists should be concerned about defeating Germany and American pacifists should be demanding that the United States follow through on the country’s international obligations. Pacifists are “playing Germany’s game” by demanding peace without regard to the terms of peace. Roosevelt believes a nation must be strong to preserve friendships and respect. He would like the United States and Great Britain to have a “peculiarly close degree of friendship.” Roosevelt is currently out of sympathy with the American public and commands little support.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-07-23
Theodore Roosevelt has not received copies of Frederick Scott Oliver’s book yet, but he believes he will be in agreement with it. He bemoans the inaction of President Woodrow Wilson in response to Germany’s invasion of Belgium. He comments on the movement for universal disarmament and a League of Peace, which he believes wrong-headed and ineffective.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-06-29
Theodore Roosevelt tells John St. Loe Strachey, editor of the London Spectator, that he is mistaken in believing that the American public will acknowledge Roosevelt as a leader again. Roosevelt does, however, believe that what he has said will influence public opinion and they will see that his position was right. Roosevelt sends two of his articles about the Lusitania disaster to Strachey, which were and are still not popular. Roosevelt sends his regards to Strachey’s daughter and wife and is glad their house has become an emergency hospital. Roosevelt will write James Bryce expressing his approval of Bryce’s report on German atrocities.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-05-29
Theodore Roosevelt understands that Viscount Bryce meant well but believes that Bryce’s letter has damaged the cause of the allies by further muddling American public opinion on the war. Pacifists like Bryce cannot be depended upon in an emergency. Roosevelt’s efforts on behalf of the allies will be greatly hampered by Bryce’s statements. People who argue against military readiness or clamor for peace are strengthening the side that supports German brutality.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-03-29
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.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-03-23
Theodore Roosevelt thanks Robert Harry Munro Ferguson for the letter and conveys greetings from his family. Roosevelt is sending Ferguson a book, and asks that he share it with Ronald Craufurd Munro Ferguson once he is finished with it. Roosevelt tells about a conversation he had with a German friend who said that the way the United States neglected its duty in Mexico had caused as much suffering as Germany’s actions caused in Belgium, and that Roosevelt thinks he is right. Roosevelt also comments on many people who want to keep America out of the war, and says that England suffers because of the current prominence of their point of view.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-01-22
Theodore Roosevelt discusses with Arthur Lee a recent article by James Bryce which he believes strengthens the pacifist position in the United States. In contrast, Roosevelt has been writing and advocating for the international community to come to the defense of Belgium. He also advocates American preparedness for war. Roosevelt envies Lee, who is in active military service, and believes England will be better off for having entered into the war.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-03-16
Theodore Roosevelt agrees with Gifford Pinchot’s attitude on the war and discusses press coverage of the conflict. President Wilson and Secretary of State Bryan have placed the country in a poor position and the United States is held in contempt by the “big fighting nations.” Viscount Bryce’s article supporting the attitude of Wilson and Bryan has increased the country’s difficulties. Foreign affairs are dominating American politics and Roosevelt does not believe that the Progressive Party can run another campaign. Their only recent success has been in California but overall there are too few Progressives to maintain an effective national organization.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-03-29
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