International relations--Public opinion

Letter from Henry Cabot Lodge to Theodore Roosevelt

The supporters of the arbitration treaties are avoiding the main point being raised by Senator Lodge and Theodore Roosevelt. The Conciliation Society is sending out letters but there has not been much of an outcry. The Fisheries Treaty has been redrafted with the regulations damaging to American fisherman removed. The bill has passed the Senate and is pending in the House.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-09-19

Letter from George von Lengerke Meyer to Theodore Roosevelt

Ambassador Meyer writes President Roosevelt about the Russo-Japanese War. Meyer describes Stanley Washburn’s report of dwindling American sympathies with the Japanese. Washburn does not believe the Japanese army will ever beat the Russian army in Manchuria. Meyer mentions his interactions with Camille Barrère, the French Ambassador, and his indication that French and German banks are beginning to side with Russia. Meyer also relates an interaction he had with the Japanese minister, in which the minister stated he was interested in Roosevelt’s thoughts on Manchuria and Japan’s control of Port Arthur.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-01-20

Letter from Secretary of Theodore Roosevelt to J. Gersony

Theodore Roosevelt is a private citizen and cannot influence the state department on foreign policy. His secretary suggests that J. Gersony contact the Secretary of State.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-06-08

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Henry Cabot Lodge

Theodore Roosevelt does not believe there will be much outcry for the arbitration treaty. Senator Root admitted that he opposed the treaty in its proposed form but wanted to ease the fall of the treaty’s supporters. Roosevelt finds it a “grim comedy” that Canada rejected the reciprocity agreement but at least now the average man can no longer claim a lack of reciprocity is America’s fault.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-09-22

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Wayne MacVeagh

Theodore Roosevelt is a strong believer in being practical and compromising. However, there can be a time when it is impossible to compromise and still do your duty to your country. Roosevelt views the war as a “great world crisis” and has sought to tell the truth about Germany, pacifism, and President Wilson without regard to the effect on himself. He understands that this course likely makes him unsuitable for any political office. Roosevelt hopes his efforts will help prevent Wilson’s reelection and that the Republican Party will nominate someone he can support.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1916-01-29

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Frank Knox

Theodore Roosevelt believes that there is growing public sentiment in favor of his views on the war. He would like to encourage this sentiment but does not want an “open fight” or to be considered a political candidate. Roosevelt does not trust the supposed change of German Americans. The decent German Americans will eventually support Roosevelt but the “professional hyphenated German-Americans” will only do so because they respect an “open and efficient foe” and not President Wilson’s “timid and treacherous make-believe friend.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-12-21

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Joseph Bucklin Bishop

Theodore Roosevelt directs Joseph Bucklin Bishop to some of his previous statements regarding military policy. He is pleased that public opinion is starting to shift towards his views on the country’s “shameful dereliction of duty in national affairs.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-12-01

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to William Hutchinson Cowles

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.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-06-17

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Medill McCormick

Theodore Roosevelt believes that political parties should have “large liberty in the different states for individual actions.” He would not be comfortable in the Republican Party of many states but in some states believes that progressives can work with Republicans. Roosevelt views President Wilson as a coward and thinks he is making the United States “appear contemptible.” However, most of the public is with Wilson and Roosevelt feels out of touch with the American people.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-06-10

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Henry Cabot Lodge

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.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-06-15

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to John H. Parker

Theodore Roosevelt believes Major John Henry Parker could provide a great service by entering Congress, as the public needs a competent civilian to tell them what needs to be done. The peace propaganda of recent years has damaged the country. The average American is “soft” and seeks to avoid “doing anything that needs work or that implies risk.” The public is pleased that the Wilson administration is shirking its duty with Mexico and Germany.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-06-22

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Oscar K. Davis

Theodore Roosevelt will not accept the lecture proposition as misapprehensions always arise when he travels abroad to speak. Roosevelt is disgusted with the Wilson administration and its support from the American public. He feels that the public “will always do well or ill largely in proportion to their leadership.” Roosevelt also fears a future conflict with Japan. If the war is deadlocked he feels Japan will seek “tribute” in the form of Hawaii, the Panama Canal, and Alaska. Roosevelt has been heartsick over the sinking of the Lusitania.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-06-23

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Julian Street

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.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-06-23

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Henry Cabot Lodge

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.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1916-01-26

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Jules Bois

Theodore Roosevelt was pleased with Jules Bois’s essay about him. He comments that a successful foreign policy is often dependent on only international courtesy being made public. When Roosevelt sent an American fleet on a tour around the world he instructed them to act as if they were always in a state of war. The “peaceful mission” brought only goodwill from Japan and was popular at home. Roosevelt says he “spoke softly and carried a big stick.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1916-02-07

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Lord Cuzon of Kedleston

Theodore Roosevelt congratulates Lord Cuzon on taking office. He encloses the statement he made after the sinking of the Lusitania for Cuzon to read. Roosevelt tells Cuzon he wishes he could direct the foreign policy of the United States. He believes the American people would get behind taking action against Germany, but right now they are content to follow a different approach.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-06-01

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 Cecil Spring Rice

Theodore Roosevelt is concerned that the British and French governments are not doing enough to influence American public opinion. He provides several examples of German actions that could have helped turn public opinion against Germany. Roosevelt is not recommending the violation of journalistic or international ethics, but facts of German wrongdoing exist and should be used to keep the American public on the side of the allies.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-01-22

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Edward Grey

The crux of the war for Theodore Roosevelt is Belgium and he will judge other nations by their conduct. Therefore, he opposes Germany for its actions in Belgium and praises Great Britain’s and France’s actions as a model for good faith and international morality. American public opinion has recently shifted in favor of the allies, but pro-German feeling had been growing for several months before this change. Roosevelt attributes the growth of this sentiment to the “lavish attentions” shown to American war correspondents by the Germans. He suggests the allies be more open and accommodating to correspondents. A closer view of the allied side will be beneficial to American public opinion and is unlikely to negatively interfere with military operations. Roosevelt also warns against being too strict with contraband. American trade is vastly more beneficial to the allies and could become a vital factor in the war. The allies must maintain these advantages and should be careful not to incite the American government or public. Roosevelt hopes that “every possible consideration” will be shown to the American flag and position.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-01-22