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Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to men who have volunteered for service in World War I

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to men who have volunteered for service in World War I

Theodore Roosevelt writes to the men who have volunteered for service in the firing lines during World War I to discuss his disappointment at being unable to join them, after President Wilson said Roosevelt could not reform the Rough Riders. Each man who was to be involved in the regiment can now join the military another way or serve his country in civil life. The funds that have been used for the regiment will be withdrawn and applied to another purpose. All four divisions would have sailed by September 1. Roosevelt challenges Wilson’s belief that the regiment would have only had a political impact and not contributed to the success of the war.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1917-05-20

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Albert Shaw

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Albert Shaw

President Roosevelt asks Albert Shaw to reproduce a cartoon from Puck. As Roosevelt has no plans to hold another position in public office, the upset on Wall Street will have no lasting effect on him, but he comments on the related press coverage. The New York Sun has tried to disparage the Great White Fleet, but Roosevelt is certain Shaw understands that the fleet’s journey is necessary. Roosevelt asks Shaw to lunch with Mark Twain and Frank Nelson Doubleday on Friday the 13th.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-09-03

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Elihu Root

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Elihu Root

President Roosevelt sends Secretary of State Root several enclosures regarding escalating tensions with Japan. Roosevelt says Senator Eugene Hale, who has opposed repairs to the American fleet, will not be allowed to dictate the movements of the fleet, and Roosevelt believes it is useless to communicate with him. In a postscript, Roosevelt proposes a suit against officials in San Francisco who refuse to grant business licenses to Japanese immigrants, and says that though he does not expect war with Japan, he does not believe the United States could hold Manila if war did break out. Roosevelt laments the “yellow press” in Japan is just as bad as in America.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-07-31

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Edward Grey

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Edward Grey

President Roosevelt tells British Ambassador to the United States Grey that Rennel Rodd was offered a position interacting with the US government, but turned it down. Roosevelt contrasts the attitudes and relations of a number of different countries with America and England, and takes a specific focus on Japan. Roosevelt notes that Japan has continued preparing for war over the last decade, and writes that there will be industrial competition between Japan and European countries. He also wonders if they are planning on invading America, Germany, or the Philippines. Roosevelt wants the United States and Japan to sign a treaty stating they will keep their citizens out of each other’s labor markets. Roosevelt closes by remarking on the similarities in governmental thinking and military approach between the United States and England.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-12-19

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Hermann Speck von Sternburg

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Hermann Speck von Sternburg

President Roosevelt supports the Monroe Doctrine and wants South America to “develop on its own lines, with an open door to all outside nations.” He wishes that the same policy could be applied to China. Roosevelt is saddened by England’s military “decay” and wonders if the Franco-Russian alliance will be permanent.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1901-10-11

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Victor Howard Metcalf to Theodore Roosevelt

Letter from Victor Howard Metcalf to Theodore Roosevelt

Secretary of the Navy Metcalf returns to President Roosevelt a letter from James F. J. Archibald detailing what Archibald feels is necessary to provide adequate Naval defense for the Pacific coast. Metcalf also sends a report from the General Board of the Navy, as requested by William Loeb, Roosevelt’s secretary. Metcalf states he agrees with the board’s report.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-03-01

Creator(s)

Metcalf, Victor Howard, 1853-1936

Letter from William H. Taft to Theodore Roosevelt

Letter from William H. Taft to Theodore Roosevelt

In compliance with a letter he received from the President’s secretary, Secretary of War Taft sends President Roosevelt a letter from James F. J. Archibald that relates to the submarine defense of the Pacific Coast and Hawaiian islands, and reports from General Arthur Murray, the Chief of Artillery, and General William W. Wotherspoon, Acting Chief of the Army Third Division, General Staff.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-01-24

Creator(s)

Taft, William H. (William Howard), 1857-1930

Letter from James F. J. Archibald to Theodore Roosevelt

Letter from James F. J. Archibald to Theodore Roosevelt

James F. J. Archibald reports to President Roosevelt on the submarine defense of the Pacific Coast and the Hawaiian Islands. Archibald believes America to be “so far behind” other nations in this area of marine warfare—particularly Great Britain, France, and Japan. Upon visiting principal cities and harbors, he finds the Pacific Coast and Hawaiian Islands in a “deplorably defenseless position” and notes that the people living in these areas feel vulnerable because of the large extent of “oriental labor and immigration.” Whereas guns and mines are not ideal defense weapons because of the foggy weather, Archibald feels the Pacific Coast is prime territory for the use of submarines due to the large harbors, climates, and topography of the region. Archibald details the number of submarines and personnel he believes to be needed at each of four geographic locations–the Puget Sound, the mouth of the Columbia River, the San Francisco Bay, and the San Diego Bay–as well as the costs of these fortifications, and he emphasizes that his opinions are shared by military officers and civilian experts.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-01-02

Creator(s)

Archibald, James F. J. (Francis Jewell), 1871-

Letter from George Kennan to Theodore Roosevelt

Letter from George Kennan to Theodore Roosevelt

Journalist George Kennan reports to President Roosevelt on the Japanese Third Army’s siege of Port Arthur, Manchuria. Kennan claims the Russians are violating the provisions of the Red Cross Geneva Convention. He has witnessed them firing on medical personnel. The Japanese soldiers are unable to recover their wounded and dead comrades. Kennan is very impressed by the Japanese artillery’s accuracy which he credits to the training the gunners receive. He thinks Congress should increase appropriations for training ammunition and stop referring to such costs as wasteful. Other countries have sent officers to observe the siege operations. He is disappointed that the United States has not done the same. General Nogi would like President Roosevelt to send copies of the Infantry and Cavalry Regulations to the headquarters of the Third Imperial Army. Kennan encloses maps showing the Russian and Japanese fortifications. Finally, having just learned of the election results, Kennan sends congratulations to President Roosevelt.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-11-20

Creator(s)

Kennan, George, 1845-1924