Neutrality

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to James Bryce

Theodore Roosevelt believes it is an inopportune time to attempt the creation of a “World League for Peace.” Before any world league is organized, the nations of the world need to meet and enforce current international obligations, which includes having free nations prepared for war. Roosevelt argues that military preparedness is the only way to maintain and enforce peace. He wishes that the United States had defended Belgium but also faults the British for infringing on neutrality. Roosevelt admires Viscount Bryce but regrets that Bryce’s influence will be used to argue in favor of a doctrine that no duty is owed if carrying out that duty “entails risk or hardship.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-03-30

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to J. J. Jusserand

Theodore Roosevelt is much obliged to French Ambassador Jusserand for his two letters, the first one of which he has sent to John Reed. Roosevelt is familiar with Joseph Bédier’s “striking” pamphlet, and he is glad that Jusserand liked his recent article in Metropolitan. Roosevelt is not pleased about Senator Beveridge’s letters from Germany. As to what Jusserand said about Uncle Sam having no friends, Roosevelt does not believe that Uncle Sam is entitled to have friends “so long as his government representatives carry neutrality to the point of being neutral between right and wrong.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-03-29

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Frederick A. Mahan

Theodore Roosevelt asks if Frederick A. Mahan has read his book America and the World War. He agrees with Mahan’s stance on America’s military readiness and condemns President Woodrow Wilson’s and Secretary of State William Jennings Bryan’s policy of American neutrality in the war.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-03-13

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to George Sylvester Viereck

Theodore Roosevelt defends his statements regarding the war and German conduct in Belgium. Roosevelt can feel goodwill towards Germany while also condemning their conduct. He has carefully read the German side of the case and was not convinced. Belgium was determined not to allow the violation of its neutrality by any other nation and only Germany decided to break faith, invade, and subjugate Belgium “against every rule of right and of humanity.” Roosevelt argues that no one can remain an American citizen while subordinating the “interests and duty of the United States to the interests of a foreign land.” He accuses George Sylvester Viereck of being wholeheartedly behind his birth country, Germany, and not his adopted country, the United States. Therefore, Viereck is being a poor citizen of both nations and should return to Germany, renounce his American citizenship, and join the German army.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-03-15

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to R. J. Whitwell

Theodore Roosevelt tells British medievalist and lexicographer R. J. Whitwell that it is no use for him to advise neutral nations beyond what he has already in his book America and the World War, where he addresses the issue of Belgium.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-03-05

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Moffitt Ford

Theodore Roosevelt is reluctant to respond to newspaper attacks as they are generally a “purposeful mis-statement of the facts.” However, he refutes several statements from the Springfield Republican. Roosevelt denies that Korea’s situation is similar to Belgium as Korea could not keep order or defend itself and was dominated by Russia. The Hague conventions have been violated throughout the war, not only by Germany, and if the conventions meant something the neutral powers should have protested.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-03-05

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Albert Apponyi

Until the outbreak of war, Albert Apponyi’s correspondence with Theodore Roosevelt was anti-Austrian and Apponyi considered Roosevelt “lukewarm for liberty” because he wanted Hungary to stay within the Austrian Empire. Roosevelt does not agree that the war is against Russia, as Germany stated that the war is primarily against Great Britain and Russia attempted to have the Austria-Serbia conflict placed before the Hague court. He also disagrees about Belgium and does not believe that Britain would have gone to war if Belgian neutrality had been observed. Roosevelt has friends throughout Europe and is working to prepare the United States so they will not suffer a disaster similar to the Belgians or Poles.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-03-05

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 Emil von Schleinitz

Theodore Roosevelt has not spoken publicly about German soldiers because the facts are not clear. From the information he has received, it appears that “very great barbarities” have been committed as part of a plan to terrorize civilians. These plans were “encouraged from high up.” The evidence is overwhelming that Germany had a long standing plan to invade Belgium upon the commencement of hostilities with France. Belgium desired to avoid war and would not have let France, Great Britain, or Germany violate her territory. Roosevelt wants citizens to act as good Americans and be “United States and nothing more.” The worst thing that can happen is the perpetuation of “division based on differences of creed or differences of racial origin.” Americans should strive for the betterment of mankind and judge each nation by its conduct.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-02-08

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Cecil Spring Rice

The success of German submarines has given Theodore Roosevelt a “very uneasy feeling.” Roosevelt is concerned that Great Britain’s ability to continue fighting might rely on American merchant shipping. As such, the British should be cautious when protesting neutrality rights and confiscating cargoes. Great Britain must decide what is in their own interests, but if they are mistaken the responsibility is upon them. Roosevelt hopes the British will avoid a “clash” with the United States, no matter who is in the right. The Wilson administration is courting the German vote and Roosevelt understands British contempt for the administration.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-02-05

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Miles Poindexter

Theodore Roosevelt views the legislation that will allow the government to purchase interned German ships as an effort to interfere in the war on behalf of Germany. He believes that “every good American” should oppose the bill. Roosevelt suggests that the allies might not recognize the transfer of ownership and when the ships return to sea they could be captured or sunk. This could lead to war with the allies. Roosevelt believes that buying the ships would be a breach of neutrality.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-01-30

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Muriel

Theodore Roosevelt understands how Germans feel, except for their attitude towards Belgium. There is no evidence that Belgium provoked Germany and no excuse for the violation of Belgian neutrality. Roosevelt believes the United States should have strongly protested the violation of neutrality and he would have been willing to go even farther. He sends a copy of a letter he sent to a friend that further states his views. Roosevelt also expanded upon his views in America and the World War.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-01-22

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to William Astor Chanler

Theodore Roosevelt admires German valor and efficiency but is indignant over what has happened to Belgium. He believes that Germany would do the same to the United States if necessary. Roosevelt agrees with William Astor Chanler regarding “living dangerously” and admires Chanler for living up to these ideals. He also admires the young Americans that have gone to the front and regrets that he could not join them due to his age and health issues. If the United States enters the war, Roosevelt hopes to take an active role and raise a cavalry division. He opposes neutrality as “worse than nothing” which only incurs the “contempt of both sides.” Roosevelt wanted the United States to stand up for Belgium and views the allies as fighting what should have been an American battle. A German victory will eventually lead to a confrontation in the Americas.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-01-13

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

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Andrew Noll

Theodore Roosevelt directs Andrew Noll to his recently published articles which answer many of Noll’s questions. Noll’s contention that Germany found evidence of Belgian plans to violate neutrality is false and all evidence shows that Belgium would have, if necessary, put up a defense against France, Great Britain, or Germany. Roosevelt believes he has given Germany a “square deal” and that Germany must do the same to Belgium, a neighboring country that is suffering under German “subjugation and destruction.” Roosevelt states that American citizens need to “act purely as American citizens,” treat other countries according to their conduct, and put their country in a position to defend itself.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1914-12-18

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Ferdinand von Stumm

Theodore Roosevelt does not approve of Germany’s “blood-and-iron policy” but favors it over the Wilson administration’s “milk-and water policy.” Roosevelt does not believe in being neutral in matters of right and wrong. As such, his statements regarding the war have angered his English and German friends. Roosevelt is attempting to act as a good American and is angered by German Americans or Irish Americans who, because of their birth origin, are trying to influence the United States to act counter to its interests in favor of the interests of Germany or Ireland.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-02-25

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Andrew Noll

Theodore Roosevelt defends himself against accusations that he is slandering Germany and supporting England. Roosevelt seeks to treat all Americans alike, regardless of their nationality. Roosevelt has not slandered Germany but stated that the violation of Belgium’s neutrality was a “dreadful wrong.” He regrets losing Andrew Noll’s support but believes that nations should be judged by the same standard of conduct. Roosevelt receives many letters imploring him to support a certain country based on the letter writer’s nationality. However, he believes that foreign and domestic affairs should only be viewed from “the standpoint of simple American citizenship.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1914-12-03

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Ferdinand von Stumm

Theodore Roosevelt respects Germany and his statements about the war have primarily focused on the violation of Belgium’s neutrality. He believes the only justification for this act is the theory that there is no “international right and wrong.” If Roosevelt were German, he would be fighting for Germany. However, at the earliest opportunity he would seek to undo the wrongs done to Belgium. The fate of Belgium colors all of Germany’s subsequent statements and actions. Except for the case of Belgium, Roosevelt has not assigned blame to any warring nation. He understands that each country and their people believe that their cause is right. Roosevelt wants to judge each nation by its conduct and hopes for an “era when international wrong-doing shall be actively discouraged by civilized nations.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1914-12-02

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919