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Theodore Roosevelt argues that the Hague Conventions have proved futile, as neutral nations, including the United States, have not protested against their violation. International agreements cannot be counted on and each nation must depend on its own “strength to protect it from international wrong-doing.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-11-13
Theodore Roosevelt argues that the article Edward Grey believes will damage the British cause was misrepresented by British newspaper correspondents. Roosevelt’s article primarily chastised Americans for failing to do their duty by fulfilling international obligations and preparing for war. He mentioned Great Britain to show the dangers of a policy advocating a large navy and small volunteer army, such as the policy pursued by Britain before the war. Roosevelt admires the British army and navy but wanted to demonstrate to an American audience the folly of not properly preparing for war.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-11-24
The attacks against Armenians have provided a “fresh shock of sympathy and indignation.” If the United States had done its duty in Mexico and regarding the world war, the nation would now be in a place to assist the Armenians. As long as the country follows pacifist principles it will be an ineffective advocate for “international righteousness.” All of the recent “terrible inequities” can be traced to the invasion and subjugation of Belgium and the failure of neutrals to protest. However, the “crowning outrage” has been the Turkish treatment of Armenians and it is dreadful that the United States remains neutral. The United States must prepare to defend itself or it cannot perform any international duty. Wrongdoing can only be stopped by the brave and the just.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-11-24
Theodore Roosevelt has publicly demanded action regarding the invasion of Belgium and the sinking of the Lusitania. He has advocated that the United States prepare for war and is a great admirer of the British fleet and army. Roosevelt has primarily been writing about the shortcomings of the United States.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-11-12
Theodore Roosevelt told Judge Osborn that he felt great sympathy for the Armenians that are being persecuted in Turkey but he cannot speak to a mass meeting on the subject. Roosevelt thinks a meeting about Armenian atrocities should also address Belgian atrocities. However, there will be no results until the United States atones for the Americans lost on the Lusitania and murdered in Mexico. In a postscript, Roosevelt states that no protest will be effective until the country shows it has the strength and will to fulfill its promises.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-10-25
Theodore Roosevelt is unsure what he can do to help the Armenian people. The Germans will not influence Ottoman Turkey in favor of Armenia, as the Germans have too much contempt for the United States and have already disregarded international morality. Since there is no Turkish vote, the United States government could take action but Roosevelt doubts there would be any results. Roosevelt will call attention to Armenian suffering but the American public will need to change its opinion on international duty and affairs.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-10-20
Theodore Roosevelt has German ancestry and has no prejudice against Germany. However, he disagrees with John R. Parsons that the United States should stay neutral and that Americans should not take passage on the ships of belligerent nations. Parsons is willing to see Americans killed at sea and the Wilson administration is acquiescing to these murders. Roosevelt believes the United States should be standing up for international rights.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-09-03
Theodore Roosevelt calls attention to Mr. Andrew’s article and request for aid. Young men should seek to provide assistance to Belgium or prepare themselves to defend the United States if the country is attacked. The Wilson administration and the United States have failed to carry out its international obligations or protect American citizens. The country is also unprepared to defend itself and has “earned the contempt and ridicule” of the world.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-08-26
Theodore Roosevelt thanks Clive Phillipps-Wolley for the letter and poem. Roosevelt believes President Woodrow Wilson should have taken action after the invasion of Belgium. If there is war, Roosevelt intends to raise a division and serve with his four sons. Roosevelt praises Canadians for the way “they rallied in the defense of the Empire.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-08-20
Theodore Roosevelt has read Frederick Scott Oliver’s book and agrees that Oliver’s description of English politicians is equally relevant to American politicians. William H. Taft has been “floundering around in the professional pacifist mudpuddle” and President Wilson has failed to prepare the country for war. Roosevelt wishes that more public men had advocated on behalf of Belgium and military readiness.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-08-16
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 provides several corrections to William Roscoe Thayer’s article, “John Hay and the Panama Republic.” Roosevelt denies conspiring with Philippe Bunau-Varilla and defends his actions as Colombia could not be treated as a “responsible power.” Had there not been a revolt, Roosevelt was prepared to seize the isthmus by force. However, he took advantage of the situation and stopped the “bandits” from holding up a great project.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-07-02
If it was right to originally sign the international arbitration treaties, then it should now be right to grant Germany’s request to have a commission of inquiry regarding the sinking of the Lusitania. However, President Wilson has succeeded in stalling and the public has forgot. Years of peace propaganda have created an “attitude of sluggishness and timidity.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-06-15
Theodore Roosevelt approves of Julian Street’s article and agrees that the nation’s shortcomings need to be brought to the attention of the public. Roosevelt believes that George Washington, Andrew Jackson, Abraham Lincoln, and Ulysses S. Grant had the correct policy regarding American duty in foreign affairs. Thomas Jefferson, James Buchanan, and President Wilson have the wrong position.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-06-23
Theodore Roosevelt cannot approve of William Hutchinson Cowles’s editorial and opposes universal arbitration. Each nation and community has issues which they would refuse to arbitrate. The Wilson administration has signed thirty arbitration treaties and refused to abide by the treaty with Germany when the Lusitania was sunk. The public approved of President Wilson’s decision. Promises should not be made that the nation, its leaders, or the public do not intend to keep. The nations of Europe are fighting for their existence and will justifiably ignore calls for arbitration and pacifism from America. The United States needs to prepare for war and learn to keep promises.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-06-17
Theodore Roosevelt feels out of sympathy with American public opinion. The Republican strategy to defeat President Wilson by remaining neutral regarding America’s international duty may be politically sound but Roosevelt doubts if it will be good for the country. President Wilson has received press praise for his non-partisan politics and self-defense strategy. However, Roosevelt thinks his defense plan is nonsense. Wilson continues to pursue half measures and Republicans will not argue for true preparedness. Roosevelt believes many Progressives will support Wilson but, under the circumstances, he supports the Republicans.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1916-01-26
Theodore Roosevelt responds to a letter from James Stevenson-Hamilton, noting that it came when he was discussing Stevenson-Hamilton’s book with Carl Ethan Akeley and Charles Sheldon. They all agree it “is one of the very best books” they know. Roosevelt does not believe that the United States ought to be pardoned for failing to defend Belgium against Germany. If he had been president, Roosevelt would have taken action regarding Belgium and believes the public would have supported war after the sinking of the Lusitania. His book, Fear God and Take Your Own Part, will soon be published and will cover his views on the war. The conduct of the Turks towards Armenians has been dreadful but, unlike the Germans, the Turks can behave “in civilized fashion in a war with the antagonists they respect.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1916-02-07
It is difficult to “chasten” your own side during a crisis as it will lead to accusations of assisting the enemy. Theodore Roosevelt has had to speak unpleasantly about his countrymen and much of what Frederick Scott Oliver has been writing about the British also applies to Americans. Roosevelt has been distressed by the reaction of American intellectuals and disgusted by the pacifists calling for international leagues but not standing up for Belgium. He wants the United States to keep its promises and international obligations. Roosevelt wishes there was a better candidate to run against President Wilson. There has been a movement to nominate him but as a pioneer against Wilson his current reputation is too “battered and splattered.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1916-04-07
Theodore Roosevelt meant his Trinidad statement and does not want to see a factional fight to secure his presidential nomination. He does not want to be used in any “local fight for local objects.” Roosevelt will continue to work nationally in support of military readiness and encourage the nation to perform its international duty. If the public perceives Roosevelt as engaging in factional fights for his own benefit he will no longer be able to accomplish anything.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1916-04-03
Theodore Roosevelt denounces President Wilson’s failure to act and does not believe Wilson is “carrying out a genuine American policy.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-06-01