International relations--Moral and ethical aspects

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 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

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 Robert Bacon

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.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-03-29

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Ladislaus Hengelmuller von Hengervar

Theodore Roosevelt was able to secure wide publication of Ladislaus Hengelmuller von Hengervar’s letter. Roosevelt does not believe there is “substantial feeling against Austria-Hungary in America,” but the public is wary of Germany due to the invasion and occupation of Belgium. He does not see the slightest analogy between his actions in Panama and Colombia while president with the German action towards Belgium. Roosevelt had hoped that Austria-Hungary could develop into a “gigantic Switzerland of South-eastern Europe” with equality for the country’s many ethnic groups. Since the nation became prominent in public life, Great Britain has always been friendly towards the United States. This contrasts sharply with Roosevelt’s feeling that, given the opportunity, Germany would force the United States to accept “utter humiliation or war.” He admires Germany and Germans and has always sought friendship between Germany and the United States. However, Roosevelt sees no justification for German conduct in Belgium and he will always judge foreign nations by their conduct.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-03-24

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 George Sylvester Viereck

Theodore Roosevelt defends his statements regarding the war and German conduct in Belgium. Roosevelt can feel goodwill towards Germany while also condemning their conduct. He has carefully read the German side of the case and was not convinced. Belgium was determined not to allow the violation of its neutrality by any other nation and only Germany decided to break faith, invade, and subjugate Belgium “against every rule of right and of humanity.” Roosevelt argues that no one can remain an American citizen while subordinating the “interests and duty of the United States to the interests of a foreign land.” He accuses George Sylvester Viereck of being wholeheartedly behind his birth country, Germany, and not his adopted country, the United States. Therefore, Viereck is being a poor citizen of both nations and should return to Germany, renounce his American citizenship, and join the German army.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-03-15

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

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Albert Apponyi

Until the outbreak of war, Albert Apponyi’s correspondence with Theodore Roosevelt was anti-Austrian and Apponyi considered Roosevelt “lukewarm for liberty” because he wanted Hungary to stay within the Austrian Empire. Roosevelt does not agree that the war is against Russia, as Germany stated that the war is primarily against Great Britain and Russia attempted to have the Austria-Serbia conflict placed before the Hague court. He also disagrees about Belgium and does not believe that Britain would have gone to war if Belgian neutrality had been observed. Roosevelt has friends throughout Europe and is working to prepare the United States so they will not suffer a disaster similar to the Belgians or Poles.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-03-05

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

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to John Sutherland

Theodore Roosevelt has been discouraged by the Republican and Democratic parties. The foreign policy of President Wilson and Secretary of State Bryan has been the worst since James Buchanan was president. Roosevelt discussed stopping war in his recent book, America and the World War. To stop “international wickedness,” decent men must be “able and ready to use force in support of righteousness.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-02-26

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Arthur Hamilton Lee

Theodore Roosevelt does not understand Leopold James Maxse of the National Review who is being “severe” towards the United States and the role Jews play in British society. Maxse supported William H. Taft and is supporting President Wilson even though they do not want the United States to do its duty towards Great Britain. American public opinion is shifting towards Britain and the allies. Wilson is pursuing a policy that will appease the pacifists and not antagonize the allies. Roosevelt hopes Britain will not provoke the United States and other neutrals by violating the rules laid out in the Hague Conventions. He is anxious over German submarines disrupting commerce and chagrined at the German victory in East Prussia. However, Roosevelt believes that Germany will be defeated if the allies remain united.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-02-26

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to William Joel Stone

Senator Stone requested Theodore Roosevelt’s objections to the Colombian treaty report but Roosevelt was not given enough time to prepare anything new. He calls Stone’s attention to an article he wrote on the topic that was published in the February edition of Metropolitan Magazine and a speech delivered by Joseph Benson Foraker on December 17, 1903.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-02-23

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to John St. Loe Strachey

Theodore Roosevelt is pleased that John St. Loe Strachey liked his book, America and the World War. He appreciates that Strachey loves the United States but understands this affection pales in comparison to the love Strachey feels for his own country. Roosevelt believes this is the attitude everyone should take. In the book, Roosevelt wanted to be just towards Germany but he feels that Great Britain was in the right. However, he warns against antagonizing the United States.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-02-22

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Lewis Einstein

Theodore Roosevelt defends his peace plan that focuses on the United States being prepared to defend itself and its interests. Military strength should also be combined with righteousness and fair dealing. Roosevelt has been acting in the interests of the United States and wants other nations to be judged on their conduct. He is not for Great Britain or Germany nor is he against Great Britain or Germany. Roosevelt supports a nation when they are in the right and opposes them when they are in the wrong.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-02-19

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Cecil Spring Rice

Theodore Roosevelt believes the allies will win the war and that Great Britain and France will greatly benefit. The manhood of these nations has shown “ugly traits” and “should be tried and purged.” He is unsure if victory will bring justice to Belgium or allow the people of middle and southeastern Europe to develop as they should. Ambassador Spring Rice and Ambassador Jusserand are performing a great service to their country when it is most needed. The are standing for their nations, humanity, and mankind. Roosevelt invites Spring Rice and his wife to Oyster Bay, New York, and wants to tell them about his grandchildren. He recently received a sad letter from Winthrop Chanler reminiscing on the old times when they had youth and its “unconquerable spirit.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-02-18

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Juliet Barrett Rublee

Theodore Roosevelt advises against joining the peace organization and describes their platform of principles as “silly and base.” He compares the current peace advocates to the Copperheads of the American Civil War. Roosevelt views the peace movement as futile. Roosevelt is also distressed that the peace advocates make no mention of the wrongs committed against Belgium. He wants the United States to stop these wrongs. Roosevelt would like everyone to refuse to have anything to do with such a “foolish and noxious” movement.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-02-09

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Emil von Schleinitz

Theodore Roosevelt has not spoken publicly about German soldiers because the facts are not clear. From the information he has received, it appears that “very great barbarities” have been committed as part of a plan to terrorize civilians. These plans were “encouraged from high up.” The evidence is overwhelming that Germany had a long standing plan to invade Belgium upon the commencement of hostilities with France. Belgium desired to avoid war and would not have let France, Great Britain, or Germany violate her territory. Roosevelt wants citizens to act as good Americans and be “United States and nothing more.” The worst thing that can happen is the perpetuation of “division based on differences of creed or differences of racial origin.” Americans should strive for the betterment of mankind and judge each nation by its conduct.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-02-08

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to William Wingate Sewall

Theodore Roosevelt agrees with William Wingate Sewall’s views on President Wilson and Secretary of State Bryan. They shirked their duty regarding Belgium and their conduct in Mexico has been “atrocious beyond belief.” Roosevelt believes that the Wilson administration is attempting to court German American votes and he is angered that German Americans are using their American citizenship against the interests of the United States. Citizens should be “straight United States and nothing else.” Roosevelt is unsure about the future of the Progressive Party, and from a national standpoint, he would like to await developments.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-02-06

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to George W. Norris

Theodore Roosevelt argues against the Shipping Bill and is concerned that the bill will put the United States on the “pathway toward war.” Purchasing interned ships of warring nations will “imperil the safety of the country.” Roosevelt describes the Wilson administration as “incompetent and incapable.” He does not trust the abilities of President Wilson or Secretary of State Bryan in the realm of foreign affairs.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-02-06