Your TR Source
Theodore Roosevelt’s secretary directs Carol B. Rhoades write the Kansas City Star for a file of Roosevelt’s editorials on the League of Nations.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1918-12-26
In this Kansas City Star editorial, Theodore Roosevelt makes the case for constant military preparedness in addition to cautiously entering a league of nations.
1918
Theodore Roosevelt gives his opinion on the proposed League of Nations, how it should be formed and the position the United States should take. Item contains two typed copies of the article.
1918-12
Gifford Pinchot is advised to look at Theodore Roosevelt’s editorials in the Kansas City Star and Metropolitan Magazine about the League of Nations. Roosevelt was in favor of the League as an addition, rather than a substitute, for the prepared military strength of the United States.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1919-01-21
Theodore Roosevelt asks Lyman Abbott to forward something to his sons, Lawrence and Ernest. Roosevelt also speaks about the question of creating a world league for peace and the ramifications that would have for the American people. Roosevelt is doubtful that such a league would succeed unless the American people realize that they must prepare for their own defense first.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-06-24
Gifford Pinchot was away and then involved in an important legal matter. Regarding the farmers, Congress and executives should not be the only ones in control. Rather, farmers’ organizations should be supported and their input welcomed by the government. Pinchot also leaves notes with page numbers next to topics relating to labor and business; with more time he could have done more. Pinchot thinks a first draft is “not a fair subject of criticism” but does not feel the letter measures up to Roosevelt’s usual level of writing. Pinchot concludes by remarking that he enjoyed Roosevelt’s article on the League of Nations.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1918-12-15
Although William Dudley Foulke has an “utter abhorrence” of President Woodrow Wilson, he fears that the Republican Party offers even worse alternatives. Foulke disagrees with the Republican Party about tariffs and the formation of the League of Nations and discusses the challenges facing railroad and communications privatization now that the war has ended. He also believes that momentum is with the nationalization of industries and that America cannot go back to “reduced wages, longer hours.” As when he was advocating for Theodore Roosevelt’s progressive principles, Foulke believes that the greatest security against “the menace of socialism” is offering equal opportunity.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1918-12-24
Gifford Pinchot feels that there may be misrepresentation of Theodore Roosevelt’s views after his death. An example of this may be the League of Nations. Pinchot believes that Roosevelt was “the first American of importance to advocate a League.” Pinchot would like a reference to support this.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1919-01-18
The “Book Reviews” section features three separate review essays. In “Wagenknecht’s Many Worlds,” John A. Gable compares Edward Wagenknecht’s American Profile, 1900-1909, a study of American life during Theodore Roosevelt’s presidency, to Wagenknecht’s The Seven Worlds of Theodore Roosevelt. Gable highly recommends both works. In “Presidents and the Press,” Bruce L. Tulgan reviews George Juergens’ News From the White House which examines the relationship that Roosevelt, William H. Taft, and Woodrow Wilson cultivated, or neglected in Taft’s case, with the press. In “Henry Cabot Lodge, Theodore Roosevelt, and American Foreign Policy,” Gable examines William C. Widenor’s Henry Cabot Lodge and the Search for an American Foreign Policy. Gable looks at Lodge’s relationship with Roosevelt, the importance of history to their worldviews, and Lodge’s opposition to the League of Nations.
An illustration of Roosevelt in a dynamic speaking pose accompanies the Tulgan review.
Alan R. Havig explores the ways in which Franklin D. Roosevelt (FDR) used the memory and legacy of Theodore Roosevelt (TR) to advance his own political career and causes. In doing so, he actually helped burnish the reputation of Theodore Roosevelt as a Progressive reformer. He looks closely at the 1920 campaign when FDR, the Democratic Vice-Presidential candidate, attacked the Republican nominee, Warren G. Harding, for denouncing TR and the Progressives in 1912. Havig examines how FDR attacked the Republicans for abandoning TR’s Progressive legacy and how FDR’s adoption of TR’s mantle led to a long feud between the two wings of the Roosevelt family. He also looks at how FDR supported the construction of the Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Hall at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City.
Havig also looks at how FDR used TR in 1936 to argue that the latter’s Square Deal had been a predecessor to his New Deal program. FDR, on the occasion of the dedication of the Roosevelt Memorial Hall in January 1936, quoted extensively from TR to demonstrate that he would have supported FDR’s extensive use of government to address the problems faced by the nation in the 1930s.
John Campbell Greenway expects the Republican State Convention of Arizona and its delegates to be friendly towards General Wood. Greenway asks whether he can have Wood’s assurance, if he is elected, to safeguard American life and property in Mexico.
1920-02-23
John Campbell Greenway regards Senator Warren G. Harding, the Republican presidential candidate, as the candidate of a “little group,” and Greenway will not support the Republican ticket. Harding is offensive to progressives and will be controlled from behind the scenes. Greenway and the Arizona delegation did their best to support General Wood at the convention. He expects that Harding will be elected as a result of resentment against the Wilson administration. Greenway believes Governor Cox, the Democratic candidate, is a “man of decisive character” and a better candidate.
1920-09-16
Gifford Pinchot offers his opinions on the 1918 midterm elections, which are happening at the same time as negotiations to end World War I. President Wilson described the elections as a referendum on his leadership, and hopes that the American public will return a Democratic majority in both houses. Pinchot believes that Americans are calling for Germany’s unconditional surrender, not the “peace without victory” being pursued by Wilson, so he hopes that a Republican Congress will be elected and that the country will “stop talking peace and get on with war.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1918-10-25
Theodore Roosevelt demands a call to arms against Germany, to protect America’s ideals of freedom and democracy. He also argues that the United States should have gone to war much earlier than it had, but now it is important to fully support the war effort and the men fighting overseas. According to Roosevelt, “the foundation of our permanent civilization” rests on the land owning farmer.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1918-08-26
Theodore Roosevelt speaks about remaining loyal and patriotic in a time of war. It is especially important to stay strong and patriotic during the peace process. Roosevelt mentions the League of Nations and says that he would be glad to support such an organization as long as it was not a substitute for strength.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1918-09-06
Theodore Roosevelt speaks to the people of Billings, Montana, about denying Germany acceptance into the League of Nations. He believes that Germany’s surrender should be absolute. Roosevelt reads off the complaints of the farmer in Montana. Roosevelt also speaks in opposition to the Non-Partisan League and the Industrial Workers of the World.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1918-10-05