Pacifists

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

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Theodore Roosevelt is pleased with the letter and poem from Alfred Noyes. Roosevelt believes in peace but it must be “backed by physical force” in order to “appeal against the brutal, the disorderly, the homicidal.” He thinks Noyes’s verses will be helpful as too many “Peace people have degenerated into the ultra-pacifist type.” For example, none of the American peace organizations have denounced Germany for its actions in Belgium.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1914-11-28

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

President Roosevelt thanks John St. Loe Strachey for sending him the interesting letter from Colonel Arthur Williamson Alsager Pollock. Roosevelt agrees with everything that Pollock says, but is doubtful whether such military preparedness and training could be implemented in the United States, as he already has trouble securing support for marksmanship training in the National Guard from Congress or the general population. Roosevelt is concerned about the weakness of the United States Army. While Roosevelt is “sincerely anxious for peace and [has] a sincere horror of war,” he has contempt for pacifist and anti-imperialist agitators who speak out against having a strong army and navy.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-08-18

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

William T. Hornaday writes that the situation with Attorney General Gregory is “intolerable” and deserving of a congressional investigation. He also encourages Theodore Roosevelt to chastise Edward William Nelson and Charles Sheldon about the proposed sale of big game in Alaska. Hornaday believes that Roosevelt’s ear will recover, as his own did in 1906.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1918-03-08

Creator(s)

Hornaday, William T. (William Temple), 1854-1937

The Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal reprints the foreword and three chapters (two, five, and nine) from Theodore Roosevelt’s 1915 work America and the World War. In the foreword, Roosevelt expounds on the need for preparedness and criticizes President Woodrow Wilson for not bolstering the nation’s defenses. In chapter two, “The Belgian Tragedy,” Roosevelt states that neutral Belgium was a victim of German aggression, and he warns that failing to arm leads to such violations of a nation’s neutrality. Roosevelt invokes his famous maxim of “speak softly and carry a big stick,” and he makes several references to George Washington and Abraham Lincoln and their attitudes towards war and peace. Roosevelt says that international bodies and treaties that promote arbitration are worthless unless they are backed with the threat of force.

In chapter five, “How to Strive for World Peace,” Roosevelt stresses that nations either need to rely on themselves for their defense, or international bodies and treaties must have provisions so that violations of agreements and boundaries are punished by force. Roosevelt opens chapter nine, “Our Peacemaker, the Navy,” with a call to not extend a security guarantee to the Philippine Islands if the United States is committed to their independence. Roosevelt also argues that the navy needs to be used for offensive operations and not for coastal defense, and he excoriates the Wilson administration, especially Secretary of the Navy Josephus Daniels, for not maintaining the readiness of the navy with regular training and maneuvers.

Collection

Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal

Creation Date

1915

Theodore Roosevelt agrees that Americans should be “Americans and nothing else” but criticizes Ernest Brucken for betraying this principle by organizing and threatening to use the German American vote. German American organizations and pacifists have joined together and forced the government into a policy of “abject tameness.” American citizens should be working to create an American culture common to everyone. German American organizations are preventing the development of a distinct American culture.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1916-06-02

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Theodore Roosevelt has tried to convince the American people to do their duty regarding the war. However, they have been misled by many politicians and pacifists. Roosevelt suggests that Mrs. Antonio De Viti de Marco and her friends write to Jane Addams and other America pacifists to convince them that their demand for peace and ignorance of “hideous wrongdoing” is the “gravest crime against righteousness.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-06-01

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Theodore Roosevelt questions American immigrants’ loyalty to the country during the World War. He accuses politicians of not wanting to enter the war in order to appease German voters and accuses “pacifists” that support Germany as traitors. He calls for allegiance to America by anyone living in the country and lists several examples of German-born Americans who are loyal citizens. He calls for universal service as an act of patriotism.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1917-07-04

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Printed copy of Theodore Roosevelt’s speech in Minneapolis released to newspapers. Roosevelt speaks on the nature of conscientious objectors during World War I. He says that the majority of objectors are either lazy or pro-German and gives arguments for why religious groups like the Society of Friends should participate in the war. He says that true objectors can still serve in other capacities. He calls for more representation of working men and farmers in Washington and for universal military service.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1917-09-28

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Theodore Roosevelt speaks on the nature of conscientious objectors during World War I. He says that the majority of objectors are either lazy or pro-German and gives arguments for why religious groups like the Society of Friends should participate in the war. He says that true objectors can still serve in other capacities. He calls for more representation of working men and farmers in Washington and for universal military service.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1917-09-28

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919