Neutrality

Theodore Roosevelt considers G. Lowes Dickinson as a dreamer who “treats facts as irrelevant to the work of life.” International peace must be backed by an international force on the basis that “might shall be put behind right.” An international force is not possible until the “civilized states” guarantee to use force against recalcitrant states. The United States could have taken an important step by acting on behalf of Belgium’s neutrality but President Wilson did not take this step and pacifists cheered him for this “treachery to the cause of peace.” Dickinson is damaging his cause by basing it on false grounds. Roosevelt argues that all nations are not equal and making believe they are will only create “far-reaching harm.” Mankind has benefited from European colonization, and treating the natives as equal to white colonists will lead to the death of all colonists and many natives. Dickinson strives for much that is right but will remain utterly powerless.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1914-12-02

An article Theodore Roosevelt wrote on exercising the naval right of search will be published soon and it generally follows Ambassador Spring Rice’s opinion. If he were president, Roosevelt would not let anyone exercise the right of search but he would also have intervened on behalf of Belgium and prevented Americans from violating neutrality. Roosevelt views President Wilson as a timid, unscrupulous, coldblooded, and selfish man. He believes Wilson is attempting to keep the support of pacifists and placate the German and Irish vote. Eventually, Great Britain and France will need American help and Wilson will become the “righteous peace-maker.” Wilson’s current misconduct will then be forgotten.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1914-11-11

Theodore Roosevelt thanks Albert Bushnell Hart for his letter. Roosevelt looks forward to reading Hart’s new book and finds it curious how much alike they think. He intends to recommend for the “United States military service on the lines of Switzerland,” which is basically what Hart is suggesting.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1914-10-05

Theodore Roosevelt is glad that Cecil Spring Rice liked his article in The Outlook. If he had been president, Roosevelt would have called attention to the guarantee of Belgium’s neutrality and accepted the Hague treaties as imposing a serious obligation that must be enforced by the United States and other neutral nations. He would have backed up this statement with force and believes the American people would have followed him. However, as people tend to follow the president in a crisis, the majority are now with President Wilson. Roosevelt compares the situation to the negotiations to end the Russo-Japanese War, which required explicit assurances from both nations and months of negotiations, and the presidential election of 1864, where many who favored peace voted against Abraham Lincoln.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1914-10-03

Theodore Roosevelt has written several articles on the war in Europe in support of England’s position. He spoke plainly but with proper reserve and courtesy. Roosevelt opposes the position of the Wilson administration but publicly stating how he would have acted would do more harm than good. Most Americans are ignorant of foreign policy and do not understand the “impending military danger.” If Roosevelt were president, he would have taken a stand against the violation of Belgium’s neutrality no matter what course had to be followed. He believes the American people would have followed him. Roosevelt knows the Wilson administration would not support such a position.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1914-10-03

President Roosevelt agrees with Secretary of State Hay on the matter of the Russian ship Lena, which recently arrived in San Francisco. It will be dismantled, disarmed, and its crew on parole in order to stick to a “rigid line of neutrality” in the Russo-Japanese War. Roosevelt urges Hay to tend to his health.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-09-16

President Roosevelt encloses a letter from the President of Williams College, to which Secretary of State Hay may want to respond. Roosevelt is also pleased that Hay is working on a letter to Russia regarding contraband.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-08-25

President Roosevelt will see Alfred Picard if he must, and will have lunch with him if Acting Secretary of State Adee deems Picard “civilized or even partly civilized,” but would prefer to meet in Washington after the 24th of September. Roosevelt is curious about Adee’s prediction concerning Russia’s meaning about neutrality in China.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-08-27

President Roosevelt thanks Acting Secretary of State Adee for the copy of the notes regarding the decision of the Russian Prize Court concerning the Arabia. He agrees that Count Lamzdorf’s principle is “unsound, vicious, and untenable,” and instructs Adee to respond that the United States will not assent to it.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-08-24

President Roosevelt requests that the Secretary of State keep Alvey A. Adee and Roosevelt informed on the Chinese neutrality issue. Roosevelt believes that Russia should disarm their ships or Japan will attack.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-08-22

An act making appropriations for the diplomatic and consular service for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1907. The act stipulates funding for salaries of ambassadors and ministers, salaries of secretaries of embassies and legations, contingent expenses, foreign missions, and a number of international bureaus and commissions among other things.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-08-28

President Roosevelt directs James Jeffrey Roche to his statement regarding the need for absolute neutrality. He intends to have genuine neutrality. However, Russia cannot make preposterous demands. Roosevelt does not see any reason why a cable from Guam to Japan should not be approved.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-03-16

President Roosevelt agrees with Elihu Root’s comments regarding corruption in New York and he is pleased that the speech will be published. The Republican Party and the country benefited from the work of Senator Hanna and his death is “very sad.” The Panama treaty appears set to pass and the cooperation with Germany on securing the neutrality of China was a success.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-02-16

President Roosevelt congratulates Ambassador Sternburg on his speech and invites him to lunch to discuss military events in Asia. Roosevelt would like Sternburg to congratulate Emperor William II for the work he has done securing the neutrality of China.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-02-15

Japan regards any attempts at mediation in the Russo-Japanese War as unfriendly in the belief that Russia is trying to delay in order to complete preparations. Japan requires an immediate agreement or further war. Russia wants all proposals to go through Japan. Currently, attempts are being made to guarantee China’s neutrality.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-02-09

James Brown Scott acquired a copy of Ordeal by Battle by Frederick Scott Oliver at the recommendation of Theodore Roosevelt. He lays out the case for intervention on the part of the United States in World War I, citing international law established at the Hague Peace Conferences, Germany’s violation of Belgian neutrality, and the history of similar cases such as the 1861 Trent Affair.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-07-27

James G. McNary requests Theodore Roosevelt’s help in making Fort Bliss, Texas, a regimental garrison by speaking with Army Chief of Staff Leonard Wood and Secretary of War Henry L. Stimson. McNary goes on to explain the history of the fort as well as its current potential for protecting American interests along the Mexican border.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-08-30

William E. Goozee writes of his positive opinion of the movement to ensure universal peace, and asks Theodore Roosevelt to lend his support to the movement. He suggests one step to take in this effort would be to speak against the current effort to fortify the Panama Canal, and instead declare it as neutral ground.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-02-28

Alvey A. Adee is responding to “Merry’s telegram.” He tells Robert Bacon that he thinks the United States should urge Honduras to remain neutral rather than joining El Salvador in negotiating terms with Guatemala.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-07-16

Acting Secretary of State Adee reports that Mexican ambassador to the United States Federico Gamboa delivered a message from the Mexican government to the State Department. Ignacio Mariscal has issued a decree abolishing the neutral zone on the Mexican frontier bordering the United States.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division