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Theodore Roosevelt is disgusted with President Wilson’s policies. He would like to discuss matters with Frances Theodora Parsons and compliments her poem.
1917-03-19
Theodore Roosevelt is disappointed that he will not be able to participate in the war. He has a low opinion of President Wilson and suggests that the Allies will not seek Roosevelt’s services for fear of antagonizing Wilson, a man that would sacrifice anything for personal advancement. Ted Roosevelt and Archie Roosevelt attempted to enlist as privates with General Pershing but they were refused as this would be a “waste of material.” He is pleased that James Russell Parsons is preparing for military service, even though he cannot enlist for many months.
1917-05-24
Theodore Roosevelt compliments Archibald Roosevelt on his promotion to captain. He cautions Archie against overworking himself and damaging his health. Roosevelt is disappointed in the inefficiency and unpreparedness of the military but the same problems existed during his service in the Spanish-American War. He believes that a regiment raised from volunteers at the outset would be superior to a regular regiment. Roosevelt continues to speak about speeding up the war and improving military training.
1918-01-05
Theodore Roosevelt agrees on the injustice of families paying for the “slothful and utterly selfish ambitions of a cold blooded and unprincipled demagogue.” After the war, he intends to write a truthful record of why the country entered the war so late and unprepared. Ethel Roosevelt Derby notes that she sent the letter at Roosevelt’s request even though he was too ill to finish.
1918-02-08
Theodore Roosevelt has been hospitalized due to complications related to the abscesses and fever he acquired on the Brazilian trip. He is comfortable and receiving “devoted attention.” When it appeared that he may not recover, the public was suddenly concerned about him and the fact that there would be no one left to speak the truth about the military situation. Roosevelt received the draft of Archibald Roosevelt’s letters compiled by Grace Stackpole Lockwood Roosevelt and believes them worthy of publication. He regrets that his illness prevents him from seeing Grace, who is pregnant. Roosevelt wants to see Generals Bliss, Crozier, and Sharpe removed from their positions for being “miracles of incompetency” during the lead up to the war.
1918-02-15
Theodore Roosevelt is overjoyed with the birth of Archibald Roosevelt’s son, also named Archibald. He regrets he was unable to see Grace Stackpole Lockwood Roosevelt before the baby was born, but Ethel Roosevelt Derby was there for the birth. After protests from William Emlen Roosevelt, Roosevelt has changed his mind about publishing Archie’s articles. He fears that the War Department could identify Archie as the author and cause him trouble. Roosevelt encloses a complimentary letter he received from one of the men in Archie’s company.
1918-02-25
A dog wearing a sombrero labeled “Mexican Revolution” jumps and barks, stirring up a cloud of dust. Uncle Sam approaches from the left drawing a gun from its holster labeled “Intervention.” He is preparing to shoot the “mad dog.” The rulers of “England, Germany, Spain, Austria, Italy, Russia, [and] Japan” are standing behind a wall labeled “Monroe Doctrine.” Some have rifles; others point toward the dog.
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs
1913-08-06
A diminutive man labeled “Taxpayer” tugs on the coattails of a large man labeled “The World” with a globe-like head, who is leaning on the bar in a barroom, clutching a bottle labeled “Increased Armaments” and a wallet labeled “War Budget.” Behind the bar is the Roman deity Mars labeled “Barkeep Mars,” offering a bottle labeled “Airships.” On shelves and on the bar are bottles labeled “Infantry, Artillery, Cavalry, Fortifications, Battleships, Submarines, Munitions, Cruisers, [and] Ordinance.”
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs
1913-07-09
Governor Roosevelt responds to questions raised by William Jennings Bryan regarding trusts, expansion of the military, and Filipino policy. He defends the Republican’s trust policy, an army of 100,000 men, and the legitimacy of the acquisition of the Philippines. Two copies, one with handwritten revisions.
1900-10-12
Collection of correspondence between Theodore Roosevelt and Secretary of War Newton Diehl Baker regarding Roosevelt’s efforts to raise a division of volunteers for military service abroad in light of the conflict in Europe. Baker and Roosevelt have conflicting views on the potential composition of an American expeditionary force and a volunteer division is opposed by Baker and the Wilson administration. Published in Metropolitan Magazine, August 1917.
1917
Assistant Secretary of the Navy Roosevelt left the New York Police Department because there was nothing left for him to accomplish in the “preposterous system.” He has always been interested in the Navy and looks forward to applying some of his “pet theories.” Roosevelt would like to discuss naval and foreign policy with Edwin Lawrence Godkin. Original and copy.
1897-07-24
Handwritten essay supporting military readiness and compulsory military service in the war against Germany. Published in Metropolitan Magazine, 1917.
1917
Draft of a speech with handwritten corrections. Theodore Roosevelt argues for a complete victory over Germany and her allies. Americans must only be fully American. Those who seek to be German and American are traitors. The United States “drifted into war unarmed and helpless” even though all signs indicated that intervention would be necessary. The American military is still not an effective force and all efforts need to be made to speed up the war and introduce a “policy of permanent preparedness.” Roosevelt believes that part of this preparation should be support for small farmers and wage workers.
1918-03-28
Theodore Roosevelt was sorry to hear that Quentin Roosevelt contracted pneumonia and had a melancholy Christmas. At Sagamore Hill, the holiday was enlightened by Richard Derby, Jr., and Edith Roosevelt Derby. Roosevelt is indignant that Ted Roosevelt and Archie Roosevelt have suggested that Quentin is an embusque, a person seeking to avoid military service. He doubts that they were being serious and notes several positive statements that have appeared in print from men that had served with Quentin. Roosevelt encourages Quentin to write steadily to his mother and Flora Whitney. He continues to do nothing; occasionally writing or speaking as poor substitutes for action. Roosevelt hopes that his work will help remedy some of the army’s shortcomings and speed up the war.
1918-01-18
Theodore Roosevelt is unsure if Quentin Roosevelt has been able to get to the front but is pleased that he passed through the course at the French shooting school. American shipbuilding and aircraft production are speeding up, but Roosevelt is bitter when he thinks of the men who had to “pay with their blood” because the government was not prepared for war. He continues to advocate for action and preparedness for the future. However, the government is more interested in combating protesters against government inefficiency than those who are indirectly aiding Germany. Archibald Roosevelt’s wound has attracted wide attention.
1918-04-08
Theodore Roosevelt is glad that Quentin Roosevelt passed through the French training school as he will be available for the front when American forces receive aircraft. Roosevelt has difficulty restraining himself when those responsible for American military shortcomings lie about their complacency and even boast that being unprepared was meritorious. However, many people are learning of the situation and are humiliated at the limited role the United States has been able to play. Dr. Mason, who has seen Archibald Roosevelt, will be visiting and letters have been received from Archie and Ted Roosevelt.
1918-04-14
The American public is beginning to show distress that their military carries “so little weight” in the current fighting. The Wilson administration is attempting to “speed up certain matters” but it may be too late. The administration’s positive forecasts also make it difficult to determine the “probabilities for the future.” For example, Roosevelt has no idea what Quentin is doing or whether he will ever receive a plane and be able to serve at the front. Spring has arrived at Sagamore Hill and Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt is doing well. Roosevelt is proud that his sons and Richard Derby have a part to play in the great crisis.
1918-04-21
Theodore Roosevelt updates Richard Derby on his family who are staying at Sagamore Hill. They are all doing well. Roosevelt can do little regarding public affairs but speaks out occasionally when something needs to be said. He feels that the Wilson administration was flanked into “reluctant, dilatory, and too often inefficient, action.” Roosevelt believes that the troops are being sent abroad haphazardly and that General Wood is being sidelined out of spite. However, America’s resources are so vast that intervention will prove decisive despite the “folly” and partisan politics which absorb the Wilson administration.
1918-06-02
Ethel Roosevelt Derby and her children will be leaving Sagamore Hill in a few days, and Theodore Roosevelt enjoyed spending time with them. Everyone enjoys receiving Richard Derby’s letters as they are the most consistent source of overseas information. Roosevelt is proud of the work of the 1st and 2nd divisions and is glad they have crossed the Rhine River. He hopes that everyone will be brought home as soon as peace is assured.
1918-12-30
A resolute Uncle Sam, as a soldier with rifle, stands on a pile of money bags labeled “Financial Interests in South & Central America.” Sleeping on the ground, using the bags as pillows, are men labeled “St. Petersburg, Wall St., Lombard St., Paris Bourse, Berlin, [and] Vienna.”
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs
1911-04-05