Peace

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

Theodore Roosevelt thanks Henry Ford for an invitation to visit his company in Detroit. Roosevelt also compliments Ford on his business success. Before accepting his invitation to visit, Roosevelt wants to make sure Ford understands that the two of them hold vastly different views on pacifism; Roosevelt mentions here that he also opposes the views of “my friend, Miss Addams.” Roosevelt urges Ford to use his influence to support righteousness, through which peace will come, rather than peace that will not bring righteousness.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1916-01-29

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

Theodore Roosevelt thinks that the people who truly want peace have a basis of “the most sordid commercialism in their souls.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-02-19

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

Theodore Roosevelt responds to the idea of having a commission propose a peace treaty to warring powers. Roosevelt states that such a peace movement would make the commission look foolish; and, although he does not want to be quoted on the matter, Roosevelt explains why the treaty would be worthless and the movement would be no different than the current peace proposals.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-02-03

Theodore Roosevelt must refuse a speaking invitation and apologizes to Charles Bonaparte. Roosevelt also asks if Bonaparte has seen an Atlantic Monthly article about peace.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-01-08

Theodore Roosevelt is glad that Edward S. Van Zile is writing in support of preparedness for war. The United States “will be as impotent as China” if preparedness is not followed. The U.S. should help to create the “Peace of Righteousness.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-01-08

Theodore Roosevelt does not think any good would come from William Osborne McDowell’s proposed ballot. Roosevelt thinks it would be quite impossible for people holding his views on peace to vote as McDowell suggests.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1914-12-17

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 thanks L. Rodney Berg for his letter and discusses his views on sustainable peace.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1914-11-05

Theodore Roosevelt comments on his wish to return to Africa but is unable to due to the work that needs to be done in America. Roosevelt also comments on the Balkans War and wishes for peace in Europe (as well as for the Turks to be driven “to the other side of the Bosphorus”). Finally, Roosevelt sends his family’s regards to Rudolf Carl von Slatin.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-12-17

President Roosevelt is concerned that Rear Admiral Mahan is feeling ill. Roosevelt anticipates reading Mahan’s articles and the peace conference has so many people speaking that no one is speaking clearly about peace.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-05-24

President Roosevelt read and enjoyed Captain Gleaves’s book Life of Lawrence.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-04-29

President Roosevelt introduces Paul-Henri-Benjamin Balluet, Baron d’ Estournelles de Constant to Judge Robert Grant.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-04-11

President Roosevelt introduces Baron Paul-Henri-Benjamin Balluet, Estournelles de Constant to A. Lawrence Lowell. 

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

President Roosevelt agrees with Andrew Carnegie that it is necessary to initiate arbitration between Japan and the United States.  However, Roosevelt doubts “any president could have done more to secure peace” than himself. Roosevelt is pleased Carnegie approves of his efforts to establish trade with South America.  

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-02-27

President Roosevelt enjoyed his visit with Viscount James Bryce and reminisces about when Bryce stayed at the White House several years prior. Roosevelt believes the question of disarmament is “full of difficulties” and wants to avoid raising “high anticipation as will ensure disappointment” with the upcoming National Arbitration and Peace Congress. He wasn’t impressed with Jamaica Governor James Alexander Swettenham’s message and compares his dealings with him to that of Henry Wolcott Bowen, former Ambassador of Venezuela. Roosevelt is pleased that the Santo Domingo treaty was ratified by Congress and is overall satisfied with the number of other legislative measures he managed to pass.    

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-02-28

President Roosevelt tells Uriah M. Rose that he is confident in his abilities to represent the United States as a delegate to the Hague Peace Conference.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-02-08

President Roosevelt discusses various aspects of his efforts to make peace between Japan and Russia at length with Cecil Spring Rice. He also discusses the current strained relations between England and Germany, and informs Rice that he does not intend to take on the role of regular peacemaker between other countries. It is necessary for him to focus on the affairs of the United States, rather than trying to keep peace in Europe.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-11-01