Permanent preparedness is vital need–Roosevelt
In this Kansas City Star editorial, Theodore Roosevelt makes the case for constant military preparedness in addition to cautiously entering a league of nations.
Collection
Creation Date
1918
Your TR Source
Pacifists
Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Kermit Roosevelt
Theodore Roosevelt writes to his son Kermit about his upcoming trip to Louisiana. He says he will write a book with chapters on his travels to the Andes, Patagonia, Brazil, and Arizona. Roosevelt says his latest book Through the Brazilian Wilderness is getting recognition but he is unhappy that Scribner’s changed the title. He is sending Kermit South of Panama by Edward Alsworth Ross and looks forward to hearing Kermit’s thoughts on it. Roosevelt also gives his opinions on the War in Europe and President Wilson.
Collection
Creation Date
1915-05-31
Creator(s)
Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to G. Stanley Hall
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.
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1915-11-30
Creator(s)
Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Samuel Train Dutton
The attacks against Armenians have provided a “fresh shock of sympathy and indignation.” If the United States had done its duty in Mexico and regarding the world war, the nation would now be in a place to assist the Armenians. As long as the country follows pacifist principles it will be an ineffective advocate for “international righteousness.” All of the recent “terrible inequities” can be traced to the invasion and subjugation of Belgium and the failure of neutrals to protest. However, the “crowning outrage” has been the Turkish treatment of Armenians and it is dreadful that the United States remains neutral. The United States must prepare to defend itself or it cannot perform any international duty. Wrongdoing can only be stopped by the brave and the just.
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1915-11-24
Creator(s)
Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Fraser Metzger
Theodore Roosevelt is disappointed in the pacifist movement in the United States. He is especially disappointed that many in the movement are of “men whose ancestors were here in Colonial times,” although Roosevelt also notes a large number of Jewish pacifists. Roosevelt praises Fraser Metzger’s dedication and writes that his “soul goes out” to Metzger in his current situation.
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1915-10-30
Creator(s)
Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Edward Solon Goodhue
Theodore Roosevelt thinks Edward Solon Goodhue’s letter was nice and thanks him for sending the piece by Moore. Roosevelt warns Goodhue that he is wasting his time if he tries to get Roosevelt “manhunted” next year because there are many reasons why it would be inadvisable for any political organization to run him.
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1915-09-04
Creator(s)
Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Arthur Hamilton Lee
The Wilson administration has behaved “infamously,” and Theodore Roosevelt considers President Wilson to be a timid man who will “avoid war at all hazards.” Wilson is favoring Germany and attempting to keep the German American and pacifist vote. Roosevelt breaks down American opinion into four sections; German Americans, professional pacifists, the majority who are not interested in international affairs, and a small percentage that think like him. Three of Roosevelt’s sons have finished training at the Plattsburgh camp, and they all did well. He has his volunteer division sketched out and guarantees it will do its duty. Roosevelt is distressed at Russia being “terribly smashed,” and he hopes the allies can stay together as they can win the war together.
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1915-09-02
Creator(s)
Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Frederick Scott Oliver
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.
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1915-07-23
Creator(s)
Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Owen Wister
Theodore Roosevelt met with Owen Wister’s English pacifist friend and could not help telling him that Englishmen should be at home doing their duty. The prime duty of the English and Americans should be to prepare against disaster and stop making promises they do not intend to keep. Roosevelt expresses his displeasure at the policies of the Wilson administration and the influence of American pacifists.
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1915-06-23
Creator(s)
Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Huelin C. O’Neill
Theodore Roosevelt conveys his deepest sympathies to Huelin C. O’Neill on the death of his son. Roosevelt agrees with O’Neill about how unprepared the United States is to meet the threat of World War, and he believes that there should be compulsory universal military training. Roosevelt has had enough of “peace-at-any-price apostles” who will bring “only dishonor and disaster.”
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1915-06-16
Creator(s)
Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Lewis Einstein
Theodore Roosevelt is a “genuine lover of peace” and does not believe war is necessary to “maintain the virile qualities.” However, he believes the professional pacifists have lost these qualities and are the “very worst enemies of real peace.” Lewis Einstein currently holds an interesting position at the American embassy in Istanbul and it must be a “sad spectacle” to view the failures of the Turkish revolution. Roosevelt had hoped that Turkey could transform and lead the Muslim community into the modern world. It appears they could not.
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1915-05-29
Creator(s)
Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to James Bryce
Theodore Roosevelt thanks Viscount Bryce for his friendly response. Roosevelt encloses two articles he has written since the sinking of the Lusitania and congratulates Bryce on his work regarding German attacks. Roosevelt expresses his dismay toward the American “Pontius-Pilate-like attitude of neutrality.” He concludes that he does not have the patience to discuss pacifists such as Jane Addams.
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1915-05-29
Creator(s)
Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Cornelia Bryce Pinchot
The public is not in sympathy with the political views of Theodore Roosevelt and Gifford Pinchot. Roosevelt has no problem with Pinchot temporarily staying away from politics. He was also disgusted by reports of tourists visiting the war’s front lines and describes their conduct as the “highest note of levity, vulgarity, and callousness.” Roosevelt has been disappointed in American pacifists, such as Jane Addams. They denounce war in terms that equate Belgian resistance with German oppression. He thinks the pacifists have lost sight of “real morality” and that their views are based primarily on “unworthy timidity.”
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1915-05-13
Creator(s)
Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to W. S. Rainsford
Theodore Roosevelt believes that no good will come from publishing Lady Antoinette Johnstone’s article. He instead would rather send it to Johnstone’s brother and wife, Amos and Gertrude Pinchot, who he thinks is pushing a pacifist agenda that would lead to more people suffering the United States than British prisoners of war in Germany.
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1915-04-02
Creator(s)
Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to John Hodges Choate
Theodore Roosevelt agrees with Joseph Choate that Germany should pay for its action about Louvain. This will be impossible under the neutrality of the Wilson administration. Roosevelt mentions that Jane Addams and her committee would like to forbid the export of arms to those involved in World War I, but Roosevelt believes those fighting Germany should have access to weapons.
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1915-04-10
Creator(s)
Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Elmer Ellsworth Shumaker
Theodore Roosevelt has not yet received Elmer Ellsworth Shumaker’s book but will be glad when it arrives. Roosevelt goes on to discuss peace, pacifists, and the need for military preparedness.
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1915-03-24
Creator(s)
Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Luther S. Kelly
Theodore Roosevelt praises Luther S. Kelly for his article on peace and war. He thinks the closing sentence of Kelly’s article should be memorized by all “professional pacifists.” Roosevelt tells Kelly that he had an “interesting time” in South America, and he thinks Kelly’s description of Alaska is “interesting and remarkable.”
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1915-02-13
Creator(s)
Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Alfred E. Pease
Theodore Roosevelt hopes Sir Alfred E. Pease has acquired a copy of his book, America and the World War. Roosevelt is disappointed in the manner in which President Woodrow Wilson and Secretary of State William Jennings Bryan have responded to the World War. Roosevelt attributes their actions in response to the German occupation of Belgium to physical fear, a desire to placate the German vote, and a “twisted flabbiness of principle.”
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1915-02-06
Creator(s)
Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to John W. Hamilton
Theodore Roosevelt cannot do as John W. Hamilton suggests. He wants to devote the fund to more immediate needs. Roosevelt also believes that the pacifist movement represents “a real weakening of popular fiber.” Roosevelt wants the U.S. to experience the “Peace of Righteousness.”
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1915-01-29
Creator(s)
Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to William Crozier
Theodore Roosevelt appreciates General Crozier’s article in the North American Review. He agrees that nations can arbitrate all matters after reaching “a certain static position in relation to one another,” such as between the United States and Canada. However, pacifists do not face real world facts and harm the country by leading to “tom-fool positions.” Roosevelt agrees with Crozier regarding Mexico but is not yet ready to state his views. He was interested in General Brugere’s letter and wishes he could serve with him in the war. However, Roosevelt is not willing to fight unless he is leading American troops and believes he could raise a division similar to the Rough Riders.
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1914-12-11