Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to John R. Sanderson
Theodore Roosevelt declines John R. Sanderson’s request to be involved with a military preparedness parade.
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1916-05-05
Your TR Source
Military readiness
Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Maurice Francis Egan
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.
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1915-12-07
Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Arthur Hamilton Lee
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.
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1915-12-07
Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Charles W. Fear
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.
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1915-12-14
Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Marshall J. Hapgood
Theodore Roosevelt writes Marshall Hapgood that the American Defense Society can do good work in the fight for preparedness.
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1915-12-14
Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to J. L. Garvin
Theodore Roosevelt tells J. L. Garvin he has corrected the objectionable portion of the book. Roosevelt believes that the World War would have been over in ninety days if England had implemented universal military training before its start.
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1915-12-27
Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Medill McCormick
Theodore Roosevelt made a speech in Philadelphia advocating for preparedness. In a couple of months, things should develop in Congress regarding readiness for war.
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1915-12-29
Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Charles J. Bonaparte
Theodore Roosevelt advises Charles J. Bonaparte what stance to take at the Progressive National Committee meeting on January 11, 1916, recommending a middle ground between “head-in-the-air” politics and purely materialistic concerns. Roosevelt says that the overwhelming issue is whether the United States is a real nation, getting loyalty from its citizens and respect from other nations. He mentions “large and real Americanism” as the most important issue, and names military, social, and industrial preparedness as essential.
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1915-12-31
Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to J. A. H. Hopkins
Theodore Roosevelt thanks J. A. H. Hopkins for his letters. Roosevelt believes the U.S. should “have preparedness and ample munitions,” but he does not wish to speak more about the matter at this time. Roosevelt wishes Hopkins the best for the New Year.
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1915-12-31
Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to George Van Horn Moseley
Theodore Roosevelt is interested in the suggestions Captain Moseley has on training U.S. military forces. Roosevelt does not agree with Moseley’s two types of training, one for those with a college education and one for those without, as he would wish his own sons to “serve with the colors.” Roosevelt does, however, agree about the immigrants and favors the term “universal training” over “conscription.”
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1915-11-17
Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Alexander Brin
Theodore Roosevelt thanks Alexander Brin for his letter. Roosevelt believes America’s influence in the world has waned because of the course the government has taken for the past year and a quarter. He does not think the U.S. would wield much authority at a peace conference, since the U.S. cannot even protect its own citizens, much less citizens of other nations.
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1915-11-20
Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to John C. Shaffer
Theodore Roosevelt thinks the clippings are most interesting. Roosevelt also believes in the importance of preparedness against dangers from abroad.
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1915-11-20
Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to the Editor of the Woman’s Home Companion
Theodore Roosevelt appreciates the article that appeared in the November issue about a mother raising her boy to be a soldier and if everyone did the same, the country would be safe from war.
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1915-11-20
Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Peter Swan
President Roosevelt likes Peter Swan’s letter and pamphlet, which gives him an “entirely new idea.” Roosevelt believes in preparedness, and agrees with Swan that it must be accomplished in a way to secure universal service without putting the burden of universal service improperly on the poor man.
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1915-11-23
Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Samuel Train Dutton
The attacks against Armenians have provided a “fresh shock of sympathy and indignation.” If the United States had done its duty in Mexico and regarding the world war, the nation would now be in a place to assist the Armenians. As long as the country follows pacifist principles it will be an ineffective advocate for “international righteousness.” All of the recent “terrible inequities” can be traced to the invasion and subjugation of Belgium and the failure of neutrals to protest. However, the “crowning outrage” has been the Turkish treatment of Armenians and it is dreadful that the United States remains neutral. The United States must prepare to defend itself or it cannot perform any international duty. Wrongdoing can only be stopped by the brave and the just.
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1915-11-24
Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Edward Grey
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.
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1915-11-24
Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Albert E. Joab
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.”
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1915-11-24
Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Cecil Spring Rice
Theodore Roosevelt encloses a letter for Cecil Spring Rice to read and then send on to Edward Grey. He also encloses a recent article he wrote for the Metropolitan Magazine, in which he criticizes America’s statesmen for not coming to the aid of Belgium and not preparing the country to defend itself in future crises.
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1915-11-24
Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to David Jayne Hill
In a private letter, Theodore Roosevelt tells David Jayne Hill that the American Defense Society is doing active work, that his cousin Philip Roosevelt is editing the paper to represent the American Defense Society, and that he has heard only favorable things about the National Security League though it is not as active as the American Defense Society.
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1915-11-27
Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Percy S. Stephenson
Theodore Roosevelt has been trying to guide people as their true interests demanded. In contrast, President Wilson has been expressing the “unadvised feeling of the people at the moment.”
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1915-11-27