Military readiness

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Arthur Hamilton Lee

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.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-09-02

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Archibald B. Roosevelt

Theodore Roosevelt visited the Plattsburgh camp and there was a great “jamboree.” The Wilson administration “took ferocious umbrage” at Roosevelt’s speech but he is glad he spoke out. Ted Roosevelt did well at the camp and was named a First Lieutenant. Ethel Roosevelt Derby was distressed that Richard Derby had not been made a Corporal, but there is often only one promotion and twenty suitable candidates. Roosevelt paid close attention to Captains Van Horn and Collins. He was impressed and asked them to visit Oyster Bay, New York.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-09-02

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to John B. Cochran

Theodore Roosevelt tells John B. Cochran he believes the United States should have universal military service.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-09-03

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Robert R. McCormick

Theodore Roosevelt hopes that R. R. McCormick will fight as strongly as possible for preparedness. He says that McCormick’s dispatches about the English and Russia have “been the strongest kind of missionary work and just what this country needs.” Roosevelt notes that before he mailed the letter, he received an editorial from the Tribune that he was surprised was written be McCormick. Roosevelt says the editorial is “untruthful and absolutely ridiculous.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-09-03

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Donald R. Richberg

Theodore Roosevelt enjoyed Donald R. Richberg’s article and is comforted that Richberg believes his efforts advocating for military readiness have been valuable. Roosevelt thinks he has helped wake up the public but also attracted a large amount of animosity. He fears that President Wilson will benefit from this animosity and does not expect to ever hold political office again.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-09-04

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Frank Ross McCoy

Theodore Roosevelt is not sure that the present administration can be kicked into war, but it is possible that the Germans will declare war anyway.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-08-24

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Ernest Hamlin Abbott

Theodore Roosevelt calls attention to Mr. Andrew’s article and request for aid. Young men should seek to provide assistance to Belgium or prepare themselves to defend the United States if the country is attacked. The Wilson administration and the United States have failed to carry out its international obligations or protect American citizens. The country is also unprepared to defend itself and has “earned the contempt and ridicule” of the world.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-08-26

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to James Brown Scott

Theodore Roosevelt corresponds with James Brown Scott on the issue of American defense, approving his changing views on the necessity of defending the Panama Canal and bemoaning America’s lack of response to German aggression. Roosevelt notes how his own views on universal military service have changed. Additionally, he mentions an article Edith Roosevelt had read to him, written by the popular conservative essayist Agnes Repplier, another advocate of military preparedness.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-08-26

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Mrs. Thorne Hitchcock

Theodore Roosevelt does not know why McCoy did not receive his letter and thinks they should also get in touch with Robert D. Carey. Roosevelt expresses his opinion to Mrs. Thorne Hitchcock that if President Wilson had “one ounce of the spirit” of Andrew Jackson or Zachary Taylor that they would already be at war. Roosevelt mentions that his three sons in the United States have been trained at Plattsburgh Camp.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-08-28

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Frederick Courteney Selous

Theodore Roosevelt was pleased to hear that British Army Captain Frederick Courteney Selous is at the front. He compares Selous’s position as an older officer to General von Hindenberg, the most successful German general, who is over the age limit for generals. Roosevelt regrets to hear that Selous’s corp was treated poorly in East Africa. He encloses two articles he wrote supporting universal military service and rigorous application of military law. Roosevelt has been distressed at the misconduct of the United States and the activities of the “professional pacifists.” If Germany keeps sinking ships carrying Americans, the public may demand a declaration of war.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-08-28

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Edward C. Stokes

Theodore Roosevelt does not believe that he and Edward C. Stokes are “out” on their views. Roosevelt believes that policy should be consistent. The United States should have acted in Mexico and prepared for action in “this great war,” “long before” the Arabic sank.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-08-30

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Henry S. Drinker

Theodore Roosevelt doubts that Henry S. Drinker received an accurate account of Roosevelt’s speech at the Plattsburgh camp. Roosevelt advocated for military readiness but did not attack the Wilson administration. He accuses Drinker of making statements in favor of readiness but being unwilling to support action. President Wilson has been following a “policy of supine inaction.” In his speech, Roosevelt was careful to place the responsibility of military readiness on the people, although he believes the responsibility should rest with Wilson.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-09-01

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to W. C. Sherrock

Theodore Roosevelt intends to speak as often as possible on preparedness. He does not want to lose his effectiveness and wants to speak for the right amount of time.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-08-04

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Raymond Robins

Theodore Roosevelt would be pleased to have Raymond Robins in his proposed division to be raised if the United States enters the war. Robins could raise troops and then serve as a lieutenant colonel or captain. Roosevelt uses Belgium as an example of the importance of national security. Roosevelt supports Robins’s decision to refuse the support of the Knights of Luther and Guardians of Liberty and encloses an article he wrote on the public school question. He hopes the Republicans nominate a presidential candidate the progressives can support. If not, the Progressive Party will have to have their own candidate and progressives will need to cast a conscience vote.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-08-06

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Seth Bullock

Theodore Roosevelt likes Seth Bullock’s suggestion of “Preparedness, Peace, and Prosperity,” for a political platform. Roosevelt also agrees with Bullock’s comments about Roosevelt’s attacks on Woodrow Wilson, and will try and mention Wilson by name as little as possible going forward. Roosevelt makes a brief comment about an editorial in the Chicago Tribune.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-08-06

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Robert Harry Munro Ferguson

In the years before the war, Great Britain was led by men like President Wilson and William H. Taft. Consequently, the British have been unable to use their strength like the other allies. The United States would perform even worse then the British. Robert Harry Munro Ferguson should not attempt to serve as he will not be sent to the front. Theodore Roosevelt’s friends Frederick Courteney Selous and R. J. Cuninghame are physically fit for their age but were refused front line service. If the United States entered the war, Roosevelt would serve with the expectation that he would eventually “break down.” He concludes with brief updates on the Roosevelt children.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-08-06

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to E. C. Kline

Theodore Roosevelt writes that he cannot share letters from foreign statesmen. He reiterates his belief in the need for military readiness.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-08-07

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to George Van Horn Moseley

Theodore Roosevelt agrees with what Captain Moseley said in his letter. Roosevelt believes it is time for the War Department to be more vocal about its needs.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-08-07

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Lawrence Godkin

Theodore Roosevelt has read Frederick Scott Oliver’s book and agrees that Oliver’s description of English politicians is equally relevant to American politicians. William H. Taft has been “floundering around in the professional pacifist mudpuddle” and President Wilson has failed to prepare the country for war. Roosevelt wishes that more public men had advocated on behalf of Belgium and military readiness.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-08-16

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Colby Mitchell Chester

Theodore Roosevelt appreciates the adaptation of Richard Grant White’s New Gospel of Peace. Roosevelt shares his frustration with the Wilson administration’s preparedness approach. Roosevelt also compares Wilson to William Jennings Bryan.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1916-02-01