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Assistant Secretary of the Navy Roosevelt writes to Captain Evans regarding various aspects of the use of battleships in conflict with Spain. He also comments on the various degrees of preparedness of the branches of the Armed Forces.
1898-04-20
Assistant Secretary of the Navy Roosevelt informs Captain Evans that he will speak to the Secretary and that he has been advising along the same lines as Evans advises in his letter. Roosevelt feels that the sailing of Spanish torpedo catchers should be treated as a mobilizing hostile army.
1898-03-16
President Roosevelt sends Lawrence F. Abbott several letters and telegrams about the Standard Oil Company case that are for his information only. He also answers Abbott’s questions about the Great White Fleet, emphasizing that the fleet must always stay together as a unit whether in Atlantic or Pacific waters.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-09-13
In compliance with President Roosevelt’s November 28 letter to former Secretary of the Navy Charles J. Bonaparte, Victor Howard Metcalf has enclosed the general board’s opinion on the merits of armored cruisers and battleships.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-01-15
Theodore Roosevelt writes to Price Collier and assures him that it is fine they disagree, but notes that he will continue to argue “for what is fundamentally right.” As an example, he cites Coller’s recent book, with which he disagrees with certain implications but ultimately believes it is valuable for explaining the good things about British colonization and for instructing Americans about world affairs. Roosevelt also mentions that he “takes a certain grim delight” in the discovery that his opinions, while vilified by the “peace-at-any-price people,” may have had an ultimately positive impact on the proposed arbitration treaty.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-06-20
Theodore Roosevelt thinks that when World War I goes in history, it will be recognized that Admiral Louis Alexander Mountbatten’s action in connection with the mobilization of the British Fleet was one of two or three critical things which the Allies did that allowed them to neutralize the extraordinary German efficiency. Roosevelt assures Mountbatten that he will receive credit for this. Roosevelt also sends Mountbatten a copy of an article he has written in which he references Mountbatten’s actions.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-10-25
Theodore Roosevelt does not want to be considered in next spring’s primaries. He hopes that the Republican Party will realize that the Progressive Party platform of 1912 was “mere Abraham Lincolnism” and a decent man will be nominated. Roosevelt believes President Wilson should be protesting against the German sinking of passenger ships. British actions should be ignored until action is taken against the “infinitely worse deeds of the Germans.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-03-31
Theodore Roosevelt thanks Munroe Smith for sending his pamphlet, “Military Strategy versus Diplomacy.” Roosevelt corrects Smith that he served as Assistant Secretary of the Navy to John Davis Long and while Long was a “high-minded, honorable man,” Roosevelt believes he was unfit to lead the Navy. For example, one of Long’s theories was to hold all warships in port until there was danger of war. After the sinking of the USS Maine, Long refused to prepare the Navy for war as he believed this would “tend to bring about war.” Roosevelt’s actual advice to William McKinley was that the Spanish government should be informed that the United States would consider the Spanish fleet being sent to American waters as a declaration of war. If the fleet were still sent, then it would be attacked on the high seas. This is different from Long’s statement but Roosevelt doubts that Long sees the distinction.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-03-24
Theodore Roosevelt understands that the United States could help stop the war by prohibiting the shipment of supplies. However, he argues this would be dishonorable as it would mostly harm the allies and benefit Germany. Roosevelt is “plain United States” and wants the country to do their duty towards other nations and to themselves. To do this, the country must be prepared and should have started months ago. The United States needs to prepare for self defense, judge other nations by their conduct, live up to their obligations, and “not be neutral between right and wrong.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-03-03
Theodore Roosevelt refutes statements made by James M. Beck regarding Roosevelt’s actions around the time of the Spanish-American War. He denies advocating the sending of the Atlantic fleet to intercept and destroy the Spanish fleet without a declaration of war. He recommended warning Spain that sending the fleet to the West Indies would be considered a declaration of war and that the United States would act accordingly. Roosevelt also denies saying that the Assistant Secretary of the Navy should be made the “general Admiral of the Navy” with precedence over all other admirals. He suggests Beck is attempting to deliberately spread falsehoods and gives Franklin Spencer Edmonds permission to show his letter to Beck or anyone else who heard Beck’s statements. Roosevelt does not believe it is necessary to publish his response to Beck.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1914-11-19
Theodore Roosevelt writes to Emil C. Wetten that the United States should not abandon the expansion of their Navy at present.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1914-11-14
President Roosevelt agrees with the two questions Secretary of the Navy Newberry has asked, and would like him to go ahead with the meeting with Assistant Secretary of the Navy Herbert Livingston Saterlee and two others. Roosevelt hopes they will devise a plan that will make the Navy more efficient and prepared for any future war.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1909-01-07
President Roosevelt congratulates Admiral Dewey on the conclusive report about the Subig Bay question.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-08-05
President Roosevelt was distressed at Representative Burton’s speech regarding the navy. He argues that a strong navy, including naval fortifications, is required for the United States to maintain its position across the globe.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-02-23
President Roosevelt returns a “first-class” letter from William Mayhew Folger who is the “right man for the place.” At the next Cabinet meeting they will consider sending additional ships to Asia.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-02-13
President Roosevelt remembers meeting with President McKinley and the Cabinet before the Spanish-American War. Roosevelt recalls advocating that the Spanish government should be notified that the departure of their fleet would be considered an act of war and treated accordingly.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-11-13
President Roosevelt has taken issue with an article written by Governor Long that appeared in the Outlook. The article suggests that Roosevelt, while Assistant Secretary to Long, wanted to send a squadron to attack the Spanish fleet while the United States was still at peace with Spain. President Roosevelt remembers events differently and considers Long’s accusation to be serious, especially since it appears to have been accepted by the public at large.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-10-12
President Roosevelt found the papers admirable and would like Admiral Taylor to know that he is pleased about the “readiness” of the plans.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-07-05
President Roosevelt asks Admiral Taylor for ideas to improve the Navy’s “gun pointing” and battleship design. Of the two topics, Roosevelt believes marksmanship to be the most important in fighting a war.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1901-12-27
President Roosevelt believes Lieutenant Sims is too pessimistic about the quality of American naval vessels. However, he prefers that Sims believe the United States Navy to be not good enough rather than too good. Roosevelt thanks Sims for the useful suggestions for improvement.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1901-12-27