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Pacifists--Political activity

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Theodore Roosevelt at Billings, Montana

In Billings, Montana, on October 5, 1918, Theodore Roosevelt spoke on behalf of the Liberty Loan and denounced the Nonpartisan League of Farmers for its pacifist orientation. Roosevelt appears in a touring car greeting Billings citizens. Long shot of him doffing his hat and shaking hands from a parked car in downtown Billings. After he is seated, the car moves through a crowded, flag-draped street.

Collection

Library of Congress Motion Picture, Broadcasting and Recorded Sound

Creation Date

1918-10-05

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to James Bryce

Theodore Roosevelt argues in favor of a military draft and suggests that the lack of a draft has limited Great Britain’s strength. Roosevelt believes that President Wilson is motivated by fear of pacifist and German-American voters. Wilson also has the “Jeffersonian Buchanan tradition” of avoiding all physical danger. If he had been president, Roosevelt would have taken action after the invasion of Belgium or the sinking of the Lusitania and he believes the country would have supported him.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-11-30

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Frederick Scott Oliver

It is difficult to “chasten” your own side during a crisis as it will lead to accusations of assisting the enemy. Theodore Roosevelt has had to speak unpleasantly about his countrymen and much of what Frederick Scott Oliver has been writing about the British also applies to Americans. Roosevelt has been distressed by the reaction of American intellectuals and disgusted by the pacifists calling for international leagues but not standing up for Belgium. He wants the United States to keep its promises and international obligations. Roosevelt wishes there was a better candidate to run against President Wilson. There has been a movement to nominate him but as a pioneer against Wilson his current reputation is too “battered and splattered.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1916-04-07

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Cecil Spring Rice

Theodore Roosevelt is humiliated by the Wilson administration and angered by the attitude of “professional German Americans.” However, there are many German Americans who do not sympathize with Germany. Americans do not understand foreign affairs and many will simply follow where the president leads. Roosevelt agrees that each nation must look out for itself but suggests that in twenty-five years Great Britain could be allying with Germany against Russia.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-02-09

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Arthur Hamilton Lee

Theodore Roosevelt is envious of Lieutenant Colonel Lee as he has a “chance to do a piece of duty supremely worth doing.” Roosevelt wrote a short book on the war entitled America and the World War and has not “minced matters.” He would like Lee to look at the book. Roosevelt disapproves of President Wilson, Secretary of State Bryan, and the peace advocates. In a postscript, Roosevelt has decided to send Lee the letters he wrote to Edward Grey and Cecil Spring Rice. American public opinion is swinging back towards the allies. It has been “soul-trying” to listen to pacifist Englishmen and pro-German Americans, such as Nicholas Murray Butler. Roosevelt continues to be disgusted by the policies of the Wilson administration and their efforts to take political advantage of the war.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-01-22

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Cecil Spring Rice

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