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Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to J. H. Patterson

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to J. H. Patterson

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.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-06-01

Address of President Roosevelt at Indianapolis, Indiana (prepared copy)

Address of President Roosevelt at Indianapolis, Indiana (prepared copy)

In a military policy speech given before a group of soldiers and veterans of the Spanish American War, President Roosevelt stresses the need for preparedness. He says the borders of the United States, once separated from Europe and Asia by the vast oceans, have been brought closer to potential threats by modern naval technology. He insists that the United States must become very engaged in international affairs, ready to back up words with action, and he affirms his belief in the Monroe Doctrine. For the Army, he believes in small but strong regular National Guard units which can train up and lead a larger volunteer force in the event of war. He believes this would be impossible for the navy, however, as it takes years to build warships and train sailors on the “highly specialized work” of operating them; Roosevelt feels that the naval craft and crews prepared in time of peace would be the factor on which success would rest. He concludes by saying the entire nation, inland included, should be proud of the United States Navy.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-09-23

Address of President Roosevelt at Indianapolis, Indiana (delivered copy)

Address of President Roosevelt at Indianapolis, Indiana (delivered copy)

In a military policy speech given before a group of soldiers and veterans of the American Civil War and Spanish-American War, President Roosevelt stresses the need for preparedness. He says the borders of the United States, once separated from Europe and Asia by the vast oceans, have been brought closer to potential threats by modern naval technology. He insists that the United States, now a world power, must become very engaged in international affairs, ready to back up words with action, and he affirms his belief in the Monroe Doctrine. For the army, he believes in small but strong regular National Guard units which can train up and lead a larger volunteer force in the event of war. He believes this would be impossible for the navy, however, as it takes years to build warships and train sailors on the “highly specialized work” of operating them; Roosevelt feels that the warcraft and crews prepared in time of peace would be the factor on which success would rest. He concludes with anecdotes and a message on the need for citizens and soldiers to do their duty every day and not just in moments of glory.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-09-23

There is always a last straw

There is always a last straw

German Emperor William II is about to place another bundle of rifles, swords, and ammunition labeled “The Last Straw” onto a huge stack of weapons labeled “German Armament” on the back of a camel labeled “German Capacity War Taxation.”

Collection

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

Creation Date

1913-05-07

Letter from Alfred Thayer Mahan to Theodore Roosevelt

Letter from Alfred Thayer Mahan to Theodore Roosevelt

Captain Mahan emphasizes to Assistant Secretary of the Navy Roosevelt that he writes only to suggest thoughts or give information–not to influence action. He calls Roosevelt’s attention to two related factors: a previous article he wrote suggesting that the threat to Hawaii is from Asia, rather than Europe, and a situation in South America which saw the United States worried about not having a battleship in the Pacific Ocean. He suggests that a similar situation could now occur if the Japanese have two battleships while the United States has only one. Mahan feels that it is important that the United States begin to prepare its fleets in order to avert potential conflict, saying “preparedness deters the foe,” and helps maintain peace without actually having to fight.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1897-05-06