Your TR Source
President Roosevelt is concerned about negative feelings between line officers and medical officers in the Navy. He wants to know why the Personnel Board recommended an increase in the amount of time before a commissioned medical officer is allowed to become a lieutenant, as the Navy is in need of more young surgeons.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-01-01
It is President Roosevelt’s opinion that no officer should ever be surprised. If a detachment is surprised, the commanding officer should be tried by court-martial.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1901-10-01
President Roosevelt has received many requests to exert his influence in the appointment of first lieutenants. It has given Roosevelt great pleasure to be able to say that the War Department is grading candidates purely on their merits.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1901-09-27
Theodore Roosevelt has received Kermit Roosevelt’s letter about visiting Sao Paolo, Brazil, and everyone was interested in reading about Kermit and Belle Roosevelt setting up their new home. The book about the Roosevelt-Rondon Scientific Expedition has been sent to all members of the expedition through the Brazilian ambassador. Roosevelt describes the “delightful Xmas” at Sagamore Hill with all of his children, except Kermit, and three grandchildren. He reflects on the war and views Germany as “clearly ahead” and Austria growing stronger. Roosevelt admires German efficiency, which is greater than the efficiency of the Allies, and the Allies are infinitely more efficient than the United States. President Wilson and Secretary Bryan are the “worst creatures” to lead the nation in foreign affairs. Roosevelt believes the United States should have countered the “unscrupulous” behavior of Germany and intervened on behalf of Belgium. He has signed a three year contract with Metropolitan Magazine to publish his social and political views.
1914-12-28
Theodore Roosevelt is on his way to the steamer and can only dictate his reply to L. H. Bailey. Roosevelt appreciates Bailey’s clarity on the issue that “we must not confuse militarism and war for glory with adequate preparation for defense.” He agrees that there should not be over-development of the military establishment, preferring a small army, and implementing a universal training system.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1916-02-18
It appears that President Wilson is drifting into war with Mexico without any preparations. Theodore Roosevelt hopes to raise a division and will stop being a critic once in uniform. Roosevelt wants to serve and be a public example of service even if the division is used to further the political goals of Wilson and the Democratic Party. Sending the National Guard to the border was a mistake that allowed the “hardships of war” without the “benefits of efficient war.” Many families are suffering as their men patrol the border.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1916-07-03
Theodore Roosevelt regrets losing his German friends because of his opinion on the war and feels that his views, compared to Hugo Münsterberg’s, are “as far apart as the poles.” Roosevelt is an American and nothing else. He opposes “hyphenated Americanism.” He believes English should be the language of the United States but Americans must also remain distinct from the people of Europe. Citizens should be treated equally but also held to a high standard of citizenship. Roosevelt judges each nation by their conduct and that is why he is opposing Germany and Austria-Hungary. He admires German ideals but their conduct during the war has been deplorable. Roosevelt’s main concern is that the United States is prepared to do its duty and maintain the nation’s honor.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1916-01-19
Theodore Roosevelt compliments Maurice Francis Egan on his letter writing and describes his letters as “delightful as literary works.” Roosevelt’s recent article, which pointed out some English shortcomings, upset the English but Roosevelt was writing for an American audience. He agrees that the United States is unlikely to fight “disinterestedly” as happened in Cuba.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-12-07
A recent article written by Theodore Roosevelt was interpreted in England as an attack on the English. However, Roosevelt was pointing out British military shortcomings in an effort to show the even worse situation in the United States. He is attempting to remedy the situation with advice from Ambassador Spring Rice and Edward Grey. Roosevelt is pleased that Colonel Lee was able to serve at the front but believes Lee can do the most good in his current position.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-12-07
Theodore Roosevelt is impressed with Major Parker’s article and describes it as an “exhaustive study.” However, the article is too long to be used in the press. Roosevelt is also concerned that the public would not understand the article and that its publication could risk a court-martial. He suggests that the article only be discussed among experts. Roosevelt believes in universal military service and thinks that Parker’s plan could work alongside such a policy.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-12-09
Theodore Roosevelt will not comment on domestic politics or the future of the Progressive Party. Anything he says will be misunderstood and misinterpreted. Roosevelt has been primarily concerned with national defense and readiness. He directs Charles W. Fear to a variety of Progressive leaders he can consult.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-12-14
The preparedness issue should be handled as Abraham Lincoln fought for the Union and against slavery. Some of Lincoln’s supporters were corrupt or had improper motives but this did not stop Lincoln from “fighting for the right.” If there are ammunition manufacturers supporting a cause that is right, there is no reason to abandon that cause because of their support.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-12-14
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.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-12-21
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
Theodore Roosevelt describes William Jennings Bryan’s statement that “Mr. Roosevelt classes Christ with the mollycoddles” as a “blasphemous falsehood.” He denies making a statement even resembling such a quote. Roosevelt compares his support for military readiness to the policies of George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. Bryan’s condemnation of Roosevelt’s views also condemns the actions of Washington and Lincoln. Roosevelt compares Bryan’s statement that the country should not prepare for war to the position that a man should not “prevent his wife’s face from being slapped or his daughter from being outraged.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-11-24
Theodore Roosevelt argues in favor of a military draft and suggests that the lack of a draft has limited Great Britain’s strength. Roosevelt believes that President Wilson is motivated by fear of pacifist and German-American voters. Wilson also has the “Jeffersonian Buchanan tradition” of avoiding all physical danger. If he had been president, Roosevelt would have taken action after the invasion of Belgium or the sinking of the Lusitania and he believes the country would have supported him.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-11-30
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.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-12-01
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 found T. Kyle Dawson’s article to be excellent but Dawson was misinformed about Roosevelt’s article, “The Duty of the United States to Its Own People.” Roosevelt blames this misinformation on English correspondents only telegraphing the sensational parts of his article. The main point of the article was America’s failure to make military preparations. Roosevelt was appealing to his countrymen and had no idea the article would be read in England.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-11-20
The Wilson administration has behaved “infamously,” and Theodore Roosevelt considers President Wilson to be a timid man who will “avoid war at all hazards.” Wilson is favoring Germany and attempting to keep the German American and pacifist vote. Roosevelt breaks down American opinion into four sections; German Americans, professional pacifists, the majority who are not interested in international affairs, and a small percentage that think like him. Three of Roosevelt’s sons have finished training at the Plattsburgh camp, and they all did well. He has his volunteer division sketched out and guarantees it will do its duty. Roosevelt is distressed at Russia being “terribly smashed,” and he hopes the allies can stay together as they can win the war together.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-09-02