Your TR Source
President Roosevelt pulls back a curtain to display a statue of Columbia, holding a sword in one hand and a shield in the other. Behind her is a battleship armed for war, and next to her is a cannon. Caption: President Roosevelt’s ideal of Columbia, now that she is a world power.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-03-07
Theodore Roosevelt has German ancestry and has no prejudice against Germany. However, he disagrees with John R. Parsons that the United States should stay neutral and that Americans should not take passage on the ships of belligerent nations. Parsons is willing to see Americans killed at sea and the Wilson administration is acquiescing to these murders. Roosevelt believes the United States should be standing up for international rights.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-09-03
Theodore Roosevelt is sorry he will not be able to speak at Long Island. Roosevelt believes that sea-power is playing an important role in the current war, and the United States must build up the navy.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-06-29
Theodore Roosevelt was pleased with Jules Bois’s essay about him. He comments that a successful foreign policy is often dependent on only international courtesy being made public. When Roosevelt sent an American fleet on a tour around the world he instructed them to act as if they were always in a state of war. The “peaceful mission” brought only goodwill from Japan and was popular at home. Roosevelt says he “spoke softly and carried a big stick.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1916-02-07
Munroe Smith exactly stated the grounds on which Theodore Roosevelt would have based American actions in Cuba and would like to base action in Mexico. Roosevelt sent an American fleet to the Pacific with the understanding that this could lead to war with Japan. He did not believe there would be war, but instructed the fleet to operate as if it were at war and always be prepared for hostilities. Sending the fleet turned out to be the “greatest stroke for peace that could be struck.” If Japan had declared war, Roosevelt would have known that the Japanese had simply been waiting for an opportunity to strike.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-04-10
Theodore Roosevelt thanks Munroe Smith for sending his pamphlet, “Military Strategy versus Diplomacy.” Roosevelt corrects Smith that he served as Assistant Secretary of the Navy to John Davis Long and while Long was a “high-minded, honorable man,” Roosevelt believes he was unfit to lead the Navy. For example, one of Long’s theories was to hold all warships in port until there was danger of war. After the sinking of the USS Maine, Long refused to prepare the Navy for war as he believed this would “tend to bring about war.” Roosevelt’s actual advice to William McKinley was that the Spanish government should be informed that the United States would consider the Spanish fleet being sent to American waters as a declaration of war. If the fleet were still sent, then it would be attacked on the high seas. This is different from Long’s statement but Roosevelt doubts that Long sees the distinction.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-03-24
Theodore Roosevelt does not understand Leopold James Maxse of the National Review who is being “severe” towards the United States and the role Jews play in British society. Maxse supported William H. Taft and is supporting President Wilson even though they do not want the United States to do its duty towards Great Britain. American public opinion is shifting towards Britain and the allies. Wilson is pursuing a policy that will appease the pacifists and not antagonize the allies. Roosevelt hopes Britain will not provoke the United States and other neutrals by violating the rules laid out in the Hague Conventions. He is anxious over German submarines disrupting commerce and chagrined at the German victory in East Prussia. However, Roosevelt believes that Germany will be defeated if the allies remain united.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-02-26
Theodore Roosevelt is pleased that John St. Loe Strachey liked his book, America and the World War. He appreciates that Strachey loves the United States but understands this affection pales in comparison to the love Strachey feels for his own country. Roosevelt believes this is the attitude everyone should take. In the book, Roosevelt wanted to be just towards Germany but he feels that Great Britain was in the right. However, he warns against antagonizing the United States.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-02-22
Theodore Roosevelt argues against the Shipping Bill and is concerned that the bill will put the United States on the “pathway toward war.” Purchasing interned ships of warring nations will “imperil the safety of the country.” Roosevelt describes the Wilson administration as “incompetent and incapable.” He does not trust the abilities of President Wilson or Secretary of State Bryan in the realm of foreign affairs.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-02-06
The success of German submarines has given Theodore Roosevelt a “very uneasy feeling.” Roosevelt is concerned that Great Britain’s ability to continue fighting might rely on American merchant shipping. As such, the British should be cautious when protesting neutrality rights and confiscating cargoes. Great Britain must decide what is in their own interests, but if they are mistaken the responsibility is upon them. Roosevelt hopes the British will avoid a “clash” with the United States, no matter who is in the right. The Wilson administration is courting the German vote and Roosevelt understands British contempt for the administration.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-02-05
Theodore Roosevelt enjoyed William Allen White’s letter and his article in the Saturday Evening Post. Roosevelt has long been concerned about American foreign policy, even though the issue is not popular with the public. He is worried about the future if the nation continues to combine “bluster with impotence.” Roosevelt thinks the team of President Wilson, Secretary of State Bryan, and Secretary of the Navy Daniels is the worst to ever hold power. He could never support them and has been expressing his feelings since the end of the 1914 election. Roosevelt suggests the best course of action is to sit tight and reassess the situation in a year.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1914-12-22
President Roosevelt is glad that Viscount Lee liked his comments about India. He felt the timing was right given that agitators like James Keir Hardie and William Jennings Bryan are feeding existing discontent in India, Great Britain, and America about the establishment of an Indian republic. Roosevelt agrees with Lee’s argument about the “two-power navy policy,” and does not believe Americans will take offense if Lee frames his reasoning thus. It would be a bad diplomatic decision to make a special exception for America, or any country, because this would give offense to other allies. Roosevelt is worried about the current conflict over Japanese immigration to the United States. He wants to follow a policy that prevents Japanese immigration “with the minimum of friction and the maximum of courtesy,” while also building up the navy.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1909-02-07
President Roosevelt instructs Secretary of the Navy Metcalf to issue an order to the members of the Newport Conference, as well as to other officers for whom it may be relevant, that no officer is to discuss any question of naval policy with the public without first confirming it with the Secretary of the Navy or the President.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-11-26
President Roosevelt shares his views on “easy divorce” among New York’s upper classes with Robert Grant, who recently wrote a magazine article on the topic. Roosevelt praises Japan’s military spending and bemoans the state of foreign affairs in the United States.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-03-14
President Roosevelt shares his thoughts about his recent inauguration and the work he hopes to do in his second term with Major General Wood. In particular, Roosevelt is proud of his work building up the United States’s battleship fleet. Roosevelt mentions that Secretary of War William H. Taft will travel to the Philippines the upcoming summer.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-03-09
Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt would like Mr. Leonard, the one-armed Marine captain, to be detailed to the White House, and President Roosevelt wants William S. Cowles to remain his naval aide even after Cowles goes to sea. Secretary of the Navy Moody should do what he believes is right and proper regarding the command of the Atlantic squadron. Roosevelt requests that the bowsprit of the USS Sylph be repaired.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-07-16
President Roosevelt encloses a memorandum from Admiral Francis T. Bowles regarding naval tonnage and offensive power. Roosevelt has discussed the matter with Bowles, Admiral H. C. Taylor, and Secretary of the Navy William H. Moody.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-10-25
President Roosevelt disagrees with William E. Chandler’s idea of “conservatism of naval expenditures” if it means building fewer battleships or otherwise stalling the “policy of upbuilding the navy.” He feels doing so might cost the nation a period of lack of preparedness and, eventually, humiliation.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1901-11-02
Wilbur S. Hinman believes that Freeman Snow’s lecture on international law is out of print but sends O. B. Dauchy the pamphlet on American naval policy.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1897-10-16
Assistant Secretary of the Navy Roosevelt sends W. M. Patterson the requested pamphlet on American naval policy.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1897-09-18