Your TR Source
Theodore Roosevelt delivers a speech at Albuquerque, New Mexico, criticizing President Woodrow Wilson, Secretary of War Newton Diehl Baker and their handling of the situation in Mexico.
1916
Theodore Roosevelt writes to his son Kermit about his two books that will be published in the spring. He thinks Kermit will enjoy A Book-lover’s Holidays in the Open but does not think he needs to read Fear God, and Take your own Part because he is already very familiar with the material. Roosevelt says he is the only public man to stand against President Wilson, German-Americans, and pacifists. He goes on to criticize Wilson and mentions that the Republican Party will probably nominate Charles Evans Hughes to run against Wilson. Roosevelt also mentions a dinner he had recently and that he is helping Jack Coolidge get published.
1916-01-19
Theodore Roosevelt expounds on the importance of Americanism, civic duty, military service, and military preparedness. He ends with a discussion of the infeasibility of “peace at any price.”
1917-01-10
Theodore Roosevelt was “sick at heart” by the end of the campaign. He never had any doubt of opposing Woodrow Wilson. Cornelia Pinchot has not written Roosevelt anything about his article. William H. Taft has been elected the spokesman for the League of Enforcement.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1917-01-09
Theodore Roosevelt hopes that Senator Lodge is appointed Secretary of State. He views Lodge and Elihu Root as the only Republicans fit for the position. However, Roosevelt was distressed by a recent speech that Root delivered suggesting that public opinion can restrain a “wrong-doing nation.” Roosevelt disagrees and feels that Root’s speech damaged the movement for military readiness.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1916-01-06
Theodore Roosevelt congratulates William J. Williamson on the position he has taken as a “leading minister of the Gospel.” Roosevelt does not believe peace should be put above righteousness.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-12-21
Theodore Roosevelt appreciates the article in The Sun. He chastises the “weak-minded individuals” who describe peace advocates Henry Ford and William Jennings Bryan as “well-meaning.” Roosevelt believes that they are “doing the work of the devil” and have a “tendency to make themselves ridiculous.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-12-06
Theodore Roosevelt appreciates Dwight B. Heard’s letter and addresses the issue of the “Iowa cartoon.” The Progressives and Republicans have not been using his name in their campaigns, of which Roosevelt approves. He believes that within a year or two, the nation will come around to the principles he champions. Meanwhile, President Wilson “has eaten his own words” regarding many of the issues surrounding the war. Roosevelt reflects on the political situation surrounding the war.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-12-06
Theodore Roosevelt argues that the Hague Conventions have proved futile, as neutral nations, including the United States, have not protested against their violation. International agreements cannot be counted on and each nation must depend on its own “strength to protect it from international wrong-doing.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-11-13
Theodore Roosevelt argues that the United States needs to be taught of the extreme wickedness and folly of pacifism. He compares pacifism to treason and believes fighting against military readiness is the same as fighting against the United States.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-11-30
Theodore Roosevelt encloses a letter for Cecil Spring Rice to read and then send on to Edward Grey. He also encloses a recent article he wrote for the Metropolitan Magazine, in which he criticizes America’s statesmen for not coming to the aid of Belgium and not preparing the country to defend itself in future crises.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-11-24
Theodore Roosevelt writes to James Bronson Reynolds that he cannot speak solely on the atrocities in Armenia, but feels the need to also speak about the Belgians, Edith Cavell, and the horrors in Mexico. Cavell was a British nurse who helped hundreds of Allied soldiers escape from German-occupied Belgium in 1915. Roosevelt finds it hypocritical for ultra-pacifists to not be concerned with these other outrages. Roosevelt invites Reynolds and his wife Irene H. Reynolds to lunch.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-11-17
Theodore Roosevelt appreciated Owen Johnson’s article in Collier’s on the spirit of France. Roosevelt suggests that Johnson may have included information in his article about the French pacifists that “nearly brought France to complete ruin.” Roosevelt also mentions that England has not done as much as France to prepare for war, but that the United States is even “less fit to do our duty.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-11-08
Theodore Roosevelt denies ever saying that he hates England and would not make such a statement about any nation. He agrees that the best “racial elements” should be sought and brought into the “composite American character.” Roosevelt does not understand Hugo Munsterberg’s objection to Battle Cry of Peace. The play appeals to American patriotism and displays what would be brought on by pacifist teachings.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-11-06
Theodore Roosevelt thanks A. F. Fitzgerald for his letter and notes that the enclosed poem “perfectly delighted” him. He plans to quote the first verse the next time he speaks of “I Didn’t Raise my Boy to be a Soldier.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-10-16
Theodore Roosevelt would like to talk with Francis William Bird about the country’s pacifist response to international affairs, which treat the Hague peace conventions as mere “scraps of paper.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-09-03
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.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-08-28
Theodore Roosevelt thanks Oliver Bainbridge for his letter. Roosevelt comments on his opinion that professional pacifists should understand there is iniquity in a peace that does not address the wrongs of Belgium.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-08-20
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.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-08-16
Theodore Roosevelt compliments Frederick Scott Oliver’s book, Alexander Hamilton. If the United States enters the war, Roosevelt hopes to raise a cavalry regiment similar to the Rough Riders and serve with his four sons. He argues that Great Britain would probably not have entered the war if Germany had respected Belgian neutrality and is distressed at his own country’s failures to defend international rights. Roosevelt has been annoyed at the activity of pacifists. English pacifists should be concerned about defeating Germany and American pacifists should be demanding that the United States follow through on the country’s international obligations. Pacifists are “playing Germany’s game” by demanding peace without regard to the terms of peace. Roosevelt believes a nation must be strong to preserve friendships and respect. He would like the United States and Great Britain to have a “peculiarly close degree of friendship.” Roosevelt is currently out of sympathy with the American public and commands little support.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-07-23