United States. Navy

Theodore Roosevelt inquires about Ruth Moore Lee’s health, and tells about Kermit Roosevelt’s railroad work in South America. Roosevelt also explains his move from the Republican Party to the Progressive Party during the 1912 Presidential campaign and details issues in the party platform. Although Roosevelt expects that Wilson will win, he is happy because of his strong belief in the Progressive movement, his hope that it is the beginning of a new movement that will lead American democracy away from materialism, and his admiration for his colleagues such as Hiram Johnson.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-08-14

Theodore Roosevelt thanks Captain Sims for his note. Roosevelt finds the notes on the Navy useful.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-08-02

Theodore Roosevelt thanks C. R. McNabb for sending the photograph of McNabb with Comrade Hauser. Roosevelt reiterates the interest he holds in the enlisted men of the United States Army and Navy.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-06-10

Theodore Roosevelt hopes that Senator Clapp will support the appropriations for the two battleships. Roosevelt thanks Clapp for helping with his presidential nomination campaign.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-05-28

Theodore Roosevelt thanks L. A. Ketterer for his letter and writes that he is proud of the goodwill of the enlisted men of the Army and Navy.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-05-13

Theodore Roosevelt finds the paper sent to him by William Sowden Sims, captain in the U.S. Navy, to be interesting. Roosevelt feels it is obvious that handling the massive technology and mechanisms and modern fleets means necessary tactical changes, and he hopes experts will begin to develop these ideas.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-10-09

Theodore Roosevelt advises George L. Hall to surrender himself for deserting the Navy and show the authorities this letter. Roosevelt believes that while men should be punished for a lapse in duty, some deserve second chances.

Theodore Roosevelt’s secretary suggests James George Irvine send a photograph of Roosevelt with return postage. Roosevelt promises to autograph and return the signed photograph.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-07-21

Theodore Roosevelt replies to Captain Winslow about his suspension by Rear Admiral Conway H. Arnold in 1906 and a quote in a letter from the Secretary of the Navy in 1909 which stated, “the propriety of his action in this case has been determined by a former administration.” Roosevelt denies that he determined the propriety of the action. He suspected that Winslow may have been mistreated and intended to make an investigation. However, he was not given the paperwork in the case until March 3, the day before leaving the White House, when it was impossible to go into the matter.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-07-05

Theodore Roosevelt writes to Mrs. Soames Read and tells her it was a pleasure to write to the Secretary of the Navy on her behalf.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-06-20

Theodore Roosevelt cautions Fred P. Barnett not to lose sight of the importance of strengthening the Navy. He hopes that the government can control the armor plants but does not want a fight about private ownership.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1916-01-19

Theodore Roosevelt agrees with Harold L. Ickes about using the posts he suggested to create the extra officers the military will soon require. Roosevelt does not want to become involved in advocating for the details, however, as he wants to focus on what he considers to be the main issue–encouraging American preparedness and national solidarity while monitoring developments in Europe, the Pacific, and Mexico. Roosevelt does not believe in a large standing army, but he does support a large navy and universal military training. Roosevelt admits he is “ashamed of America” because of its current stance in regards to World War I.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-12-21

Theodore Roosevelt has read Finley Peter Dunne’s article about the Navy. Roosevelt agrees with what Dunne said about Grover Cleveland’s administration and the needs of the Navy then as compared to the present. Roosevelt notes that when he took office, Congress had stopped appropriating money for new battleships or further upbuilding of the Navy because there was no immediate need for naval defense after the Spanish War. Therefore, Roosevelt had to fight against inertia and hostility in order to inspire popular sentiment in favor of the Navy.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-12-22

Theodore Roosevelt would like to see Major Parker’s article published, but does not want Parker to put himself in danger of a court-martial. Roosevelt finds the order to prevent the United States Army and United States Navy from speaking to the public inappropriate.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-12-22

Theodore Roosevelt agrees with William Farley Brewster that peace does not always come easily and sometimes must be fought for. Roosevelt also shares Brewster’s sentiment about the regular army and believes expert military opinions are needed regarding the army and navy. Roosevelt would like to see universal service in the United States, similar to the Swiss model.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-10-30

Theodore Roosevelt admires a letter from Henry Wise Wood. He expresses his disgust with President Woodrow Wilson’s recent speech and does not believe Wilson understands America’s military needs. Roosevelt compares Wilson’s policy with President Thomas Jefferson’s unrealistic plan to have America’s navy consist entirely of gunboats. Roosevelt says he will keep pressing for the United States to become a naval power and may give a public statement in response to Wilson’s speech.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-11-08

Theodore Roosevelt will not comment on the matter until he has thoroughly examined it and sought the counsel of men like Charles McCarthy. Roosevelt believes that to achieve national efficiency there should be a centralization of appropriations or an executive budget, but with this should also come accountability. Roosevelt is especially concerned about issues involving the Panama Canal, tariffs, and reclamation projects.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-10-22

Theodore Roosevelt credits the Republican Party for the improvement of United States military forces in terms of efficiency and value between the years of 1897 and 1909. The U.S. Navy has strengthened from sixth or seventh place worldwide to second place. According to Roosevelt, Navy, Army, and coast defenses improved more during his administration than at any other seven and a half years in history.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-09-03

Theodore Roosevelt tells General Williams that he has wired his cousin, Assistant Secretary of the Navy Franklin D. Roosevelt, about a matter. Roosevelt believes his cousin will do what he can to help, although he is worried the matter will get complicated if Secretary of the Navy Josephus Daniels finds out he has wired.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-08-27

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.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-06-29