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Neutral trade with belligerents

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Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Albert Kuhn

Theodore Roosevelt defends the shipping of munitions to the allies as this is allowed by the Hague Conventions. This provision was demanded by Germany on behalf of the Krupp family. Roosevelt also defends Belgian neutrality and compares Belgium’s situation to the neutrality of Albert Kuhn’s native Switzerland. Kuhn’s duty is to be “American and nothing else.” He should be opposing Germany due to Germany’s warfare against the American people.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1916-01-05

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Arthur James Balfour

Theodore Roosevelt wishes there was something he could do to aid the allies. If he controlled the government, the United States would have acted long ago. However, American neutrality has aided the allies with loans and munitions. Roosevelt compares the British situation to the Union during the fall of 1862. The Confederacy was succeeding militarily and Abraham Lincoln’s policies were being questioned. Lincoln and the Union stayed with the fight and turned the situation around. Roosevelt is confident that if the allies “stick to it” they can be victorious.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-10-25

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to John Kean Roosevelt

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.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-03-03

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Arthur Hamilton Lee

Theodore Roosevelt does not understand Leopold James Maxse of the National Review who is being “severe” towards the United States and the role Jews play in British society. Maxse supported William H. Taft and is supporting President Wilson even though they do not want the United States to do its duty towards Great Britain. American public opinion is shifting towards Britain and the allies. Wilson is pursuing a policy that will appease the pacifists and not antagonize the allies. Roosevelt hopes Britain will not provoke the United States and other neutrals by violating the rules laid out in the Hague Conventions. He is anxious over German submarines disrupting commerce and chagrined at the German victory in East Prussia. However, Roosevelt believes that Germany will be defeated if the allies remain united.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-02-26

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to John St. Loe Strachey

Theodore Roosevelt is pleased that John St. Loe Strachey liked his book, America and the World War. He appreciates that Strachey loves the United States but understands this affection pales in comparison to the love Strachey feels for his own country. Roosevelt believes this is the attitude everyone should take. In the book, Roosevelt wanted to be just towards Germany but he feels that Great Britain was in the right. However, he warns against antagonizing the United States.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-02-22

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Edward Grey

The crux of the war for Theodore Roosevelt is Belgium and he will judge other nations by their conduct. Therefore, he opposes Germany for its actions in Belgium and praises Great Britain’s and France’s actions as a model for good faith and international morality. American public opinion has recently shifted in favor of the allies, but pro-German feeling had been growing for several months before this change. Roosevelt attributes the growth of this sentiment to the “lavish attentions” shown to American war correspondents by the Germans. He suggests the allies be more open and accommodating to correspondents. A closer view of the allied side will be beneficial to American public opinion and is unlikely to negatively interfere with military operations. Roosevelt also warns against being too strict with contraband. American trade is vastly more beneficial to the allies and could become a vital factor in the war. The allies must maintain these advantages and should be careful not to incite the American government or public. Roosevelt hopes that “every possible consideration” will be shown to the American flag and position.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-01-22

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Cecil Spring Rice

Theodore Roosevelt reviews American public opinion towards the war, which is generally favorable towards the allies. However, German Americans are “furiously on the side of Germany,” and most politicians have more to fear from an interested minority than a “tepid” majority.” Roosevelt believes that the strong German American feeling derives from the fact that American contraband trade is significantly more valuable to the allies. He recommends that Great Britain be lenient on the contraband trade with Germany, as a strict policy will damage American merchants and turn public opinion in favor of Germany. Roosevelt does not want Great Britain to insist on rights that will create hostility, expand its view on belligerent rights to extremes, or be too strict with contraband.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-01-05

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919