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Assistant Secretary of the Navy Roosevelt lists several confidential problems regarding foreign matters for the Naval War College. Roosevelt asks what and how interventions will be employed.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1897-05-26
William N. Tilchin provides an introduction to Theodore Roosevelt’s 1915 study America and the World War. Tilchin notes that this issue features the foreword and three chapters from the work, and Tilchin also provides seven brief excerpts from the foreword and the chapters which touch on subjects such as preparedness, the navy, and national honor. The title page of the book illustrates the essay.
Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal
2018
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.
President Roosevelt tells John St. Loe Strachey that he believes loose talk and misunderstanding the intentions of each nation almost led to war between England and Germany in 1905. Roosevelt contends that both England and the United States do not suffer from a lust for war, but from a shortsightedness in preparing for it, and he cites Congressman Samuel W. McCall as an example of someone who is both belligerent and critical of armaments. Roosevelt also notes that he is still trying to find a solution to the issue of Japanese immigration to the United States. The letter features Roosevelt’s use of his simplified spelling style.
Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal
1907-02-22
Theodore Roosevelt sends Henry L. Stimson an article. He also praises Elihu Root for giving a great speech which raised the issue of preparedness in the Republican Party. Despite the outcome of the platform committee voting, Roosevelt remarks that at least there is some progress on the matter.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1916-06-19
Theodore Roosevelt thanks Mrs. W. W. James for her letter to Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt. Roosevelt is ashamed of President Wilson’s recent comment that the United States is “Too proud to fight” and the lack of response from the American people.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1916-06-04
Theodore Roosevelt makes a remark on the Governor’s criticism of the Wilson administration.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1916-05-21
Theodore Roosevelt agrees with C. K. Knoeppel on the need for industrial preparedness while the world is at war. More specifically, measures should be taken to improve industrial inefficiency and quell labor unrest.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1916-05-19
Theodore Roosevelt thinks Clarance Brettun Blethen’s interview with the chauffeur, Arthur, was the best of all. Roosevelt also appreciates the way his views on preparedness were communicated.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1916-05-16
Theodore Roosevelt sends his congratulations on the anniversary of the Advocate and is glad that Harvard has taken the right stand on preparedness.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1916-05-08
Theodore Roosevelt will read the book that John Callan O’Laughlin sent with the utmost interest. Roosevelt cannot believe that the U.S. failed to prepare for the “German and Mexican situation.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1916-05-07
Theodore Roosevelt refuses to “soft pedal” on the preparedness issue.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1916-05-05
Theodore Roosevelt appreciates what Edmund Platt did for the bird reservations. Roosevelt is strongly with Platt on the question of national defense.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1916-05-04
Theodore Roosevelt is working to bring forth the spirit of patriotism “required to meet all perils which confront the nation.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1916-05-04
Theodore Roosevelt would have mobilized the Navy on August 1, 1914, if he had been president. Roosevelt writes to Albert Shaw that he read those articles in substantial agreement.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1916-05-03
Theodore Roosevelt believes the current administration will get the U.S. into the war through “sheer cowardice and weakness.” Roosevelt believes they should have started to prepare as soon as war was declared in Europe and then the Lusitania incident would not have happened.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1916-04-26
Theodore Roosevelt will follow Henry Justin Allen’s suggestion for the peace part of the preparedness program.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1916-04-22
Theodore Roosevelt appreciates Frank P. MacLennan’s editorial. It has been dreadful to see how Americans are blind to the need of preparedness.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1916-04-17
Theodore Roosevelt is sorry that he cannot fight in the war. He believes he could raise a division of riflemen, as he did for the Spanish American War. Roosevelt is glad that J. H. Patterson liked his book on Brazil. Roosevelt will not attempt that kind of adventure again. Roosevelt is also interested in Patterson organizing a corps of Russian refugees.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-06-01
President Roosevelt lauds the graduates of the Naval Academy for their efforts to advance their courage and skill in their profession. Roosevelt also declares that if the United States were to face a foreign foe, the Navy will be the crucial component in protecting the country.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-05-02