International obligations Archives - Page 2 of 2

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Charles Fremont Amidon

Theodore Roosevelt wishes a judge of Judge Amidon’s “breadth of view” had presided over his libel suit. More evidence would have been admitted against William Barnes and the jury would probably have been unanimous. Regarding the Lusitania, Roosevelt believes that President Wilson has failed in “performing national and international duty in a world crisis.” Wilson should have acted earlier and the time for thought and words has passed.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-05-29

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

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

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Frederick Courteney Selous

Theodore Roosevelt is pleased that Frederick Courteney Selous has gone to British East Africa. Roosevelt has come to agree with Selous that the brutal German conduct was a result of a doctrine preached by German leadership. He has publicly spoken strongly about the failure of the United States and other neutrals to do their duty after the violation of the Hague conventions. Roosevelt has been surprised at the strength the Germans have shown in their colonies. He will not write to Selous about ordinary things while Selous is part of the “terrible struggle.” Roosevelt regrets the United States is not fighting.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-04-02

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

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

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Moffitt Ford

Theodore Roosevelt is reluctant to respond to newspaper attacks as they are generally a “purposeful mis-statement of the facts.” However, he refutes several statements from the Springfield Republican. Roosevelt denies that Korea’s situation is similar to Belgium as Korea could not keep order or defend itself and was dominated by Russia. The Hague conventions have been violated throughout the war, not only by Germany, and if the conventions meant something the neutral powers should have protested.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-03-05

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to John Kean Roosevelt

Theodore Roosevelt understands that the United States could help stop the war by prohibiting the shipment of supplies. However, he argues this would be dishonorable as it would mostly harm the allies and benefit Germany. Roosevelt is “plain United States” and wants the country to do their duty towards other nations and to themselves. To do this, the country must be prepared and should have started months ago. The United States needs to prepare for self defense, judge other nations by their conduct, live up to their obligations, and “not be neutral between right and wrong.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-03-03

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Gifford Pinchot

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.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-03-29

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Mrs. Antonio De Viti de Marco

Theodore Roosevelt has tried to convince the American people to do their duty regarding the war. However, they have been misled by many politicians and pacifists. Roosevelt suggests that Mrs. Antonio De Viti de Marco and her friends write to Jane Addams and other America pacifists to convince them that their demand for peace and ignorance of “hideous wrongdoing” is the “gravest crime against righteousness.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-06-01

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Preface to Made in Germany

Theodore Roosevelt introduces Made in Germany by F. M. Sprague. He calls attention to what it says about the failure of the United States to perform its duty in relation to the world war.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-08-16

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919