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The “Anti” press has reemerged and is extolling the virtues of Tom Loftin Johnson. Requests are also being made for the removal of Secretary of War Elihu Root for “upholding brutalities” in the Philippines.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-09-25
Newspaper article discussing three Philippine issues; Admiral Dewey’s testimony before Congress and Senator Carmack, Major Gardner admitting that he cannot supply evidence to support the charges in his report, and an amnesty for political offenders and prisoners.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-06-30
President Roosevelt informs Secretary of War Root that General Nelson Appleton Miles is seeking an appointment to the Philippines so that he can stop the cruelties and brutalities of the Army against Filipinos, which are similar to what was done against the Native Americans. Roosevelt told Miles that Governor General William H. Taft and General Adna Romanza Chaffee would not benefit if Miles were sent.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-02-18
The attacks against Armenians have provided a “fresh shock of sympathy and indignation.” If the United States had done its duty in Mexico and regarding the world war, the nation would now be in a place to assist the Armenians. As long as the country follows pacifist principles it will be an ineffective advocate for “international righteousness.” All of the recent “terrible inequities” can be traced to the invasion and subjugation of Belgium and the failure of neutrals to protest. However, the “crowning outrage” has been the Turkish treatment of Armenians and it is dreadful that the United States remains neutral. The United States must prepare to defend itself or it cannot perform any international duty. Wrongdoing can only be stopped by the brave and the just.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-11-24
Theodore Roosevelt did not respond to Edmund von Mach’s previous letter as he did not want to say anything offensive. He has been informed that children are suffering across Europe, and if he were to take any action it would be for the benefit of “all the poor mothers and children.” Roosevelt will not advocate for the relaxing of the rules of war in favor of Germany as the Germans have taken advantage of these rules and continue to violate the accepted rules of war. Before the rules of war are relaxed, they must not be violated. Germany has killed thousands of mothers and children through submarine warfare and bombing campaigns. Germany also committed the initial wrong by invading Belgium and causing millions to suffer.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1916-04-05
Theodore Roosevelt is sad to hear the “dreadful facts” about the suffering in Belgium and pledges to include what he has learned in an upcoming speech. Roosevelt wants the country to take a stand, but he doubts that his appeals will be successful because of the large German American voting bloc. He suggests that it might be easier to get Americans to do something to protect Armenians. Roosevelt adds that he has also heard calls for humanitarian intervention coming from Americans in Mexico and civilians in Poland, France, and England.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-11-01
Theodore Roosevelt told Judge Osborn that he felt great sympathy for the Armenians that are being persecuted in Turkey but he cannot speak to a mass meeting on the subject. Roosevelt thinks a meeting about Armenian atrocities should also address Belgian atrocities. However, there will be no results until the United States atones for the Americans lost on the Lusitania and murdered in Mexico. In a postscript, Roosevelt states that no protest will be effective until the country shows it has the strength and will to fulfill its promises.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-10-25
Theodore Roosevelt is unsure what he can do to help the Armenian people. The Germans will not influence Ottoman Turkey in favor of Armenia, as the Germans have too much contempt for the United States and have already disregarded international morality. Since there is no Turkish vote, the United States government could take action but Roosevelt doubts there would be any results. Roosevelt will call attention to Armenian suffering but the American public will need to change its opinion on international duty and affairs.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-10-20
Theodore Roosevelt calls attention to Mr. Andrew’s article and request for aid. Young men should seek to provide assistance to Belgium or prepare themselves to defend the United States if the country is attacked. The Wilson administration and the United States have failed to carry out its international obligations or protect American citizens. The country is also unprepared to defend itself and has “earned the contempt and ridicule” of the world.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-08-26
Theodore Roosevelt wishes he were president in order to intervene in Mexico and “interfere in the world war on the side of justice and honesty.” He does not believe in “neutrality between right and wrong.” Roosevelt sympathizes with the allies against Germany and would have taken action after the invasion of Belgium. However, he is currently a political outsider and is ashamed at the inaction of the United States and its leadership.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-08-07
Theodore Roosevelt was pleased to receive the book but was pained by Edmund von Mach’s inscription. Roosevelt has judged Germany by the facts surrounding the “subjugation of Belgium” and the killing of American citizens at sea. On these points there is no defense of German actions or of American inaction.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-08-06
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.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-07-23
Theodore Roosevelt thanks Estanislao Severo Zeballos for his letter. In response, Roosevelt notes that actions of Great Britain against American merchandise shipments are of “insignificant importance” compared to the aggression that Germany displayed in the invasion of Belgium and the murder of innocent civilians during their attacks on passenger ships.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1916-02-04
Theodore Roosevelt wishes a judge of Judge Amidon’s “breadth of view” had presided over his libel suit. More evidence would have been admitted against William Barnes and the jury would probably have been unanimous. Regarding the Lusitania, Roosevelt believes that President Wilson has failed in “performing national and international duty in a world crisis.” Wilson should have acted earlier and the time for thought and words has passed.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-05-29
Theodore Roosevelt is pleased that Frederick Courteney Selous has gone to British East Africa. Roosevelt has come to agree with Selous that the brutal German conduct was a result of a doctrine preached by German leadership. He has publicly spoken strongly about the failure of the United States and other neutrals to do their duty after the violation of the Hague conventions. Roosevelt has been surprised at the strength the Germans have shown in their colonies. He will not write to Selous about ordinary things while Selous is part of the “terrible struggle.” Roosevelt regrets the United States is not fighting.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-04-02
Theodore Roosevelt does not want to be considered in next spring’s primaries. He hopes that the Republican Party will realize that the Progressive Party platform of 1912 was “mere Abraham Lincolnism” and a decent man will be nominated. Roosevelt believes President Wilson should be protesting against the German sinking of passenger ships. British actions should be ignored until action is taken against the “infinitely worse deeds of the Germans.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-03-31
Theodore Roosevelt defends his statements regarding the war and German conduct in Belgium. Roosevelt can feel goodwill towards Germany while also condemning their conduct. He has carefully read the German side of the case and was not convinced. Belgium was determined not to allow the violation of its neutrality by any other nation and only Germany decided to break faith, invade, and subjugate Belgium “against every rule of right and of humanity.” Roosevelt argues that no one can remain an American citizen while subordinating the “interests and duty of the United States to the interests of a foreign land.” He accuses George Sylvester Viereck of being wholeheartedly behind his birth country, Germany, and not his adopted country, the United States. Therefore, Viereck is being a poor citizen of both nations and should return to Germany, renounce his American citizenship, and join the German army.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-03-15
Theodore Roosevelt believes the Wilson administration is the “worst and most disgraceful” in history. He has no doubt that the “frightful cases” in Mexico are true but has no way of authenticating them. The information might be included in Roosevelt’s next article on military preparedness. He has been attacking the efforts of German Americans to use the United States in the interests of Germany. Roosevelt asks Senator Lodge not to quote his political statements as he does not think the time is right for him to announce his position. He congratulates Lodge on the Shipping Bill.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-02-18
Theodore Roosevelt has not spoken publicly about German soldiers because the facts are not clear. From the information he has received, it appears that “very great barbarities” have been committed as part of a plan to terrorize civilians. These plans were “encouraged from high up.” The evidence is overwhelming that Germany had a long standing plan to invade Belgium upon the commencement of hostilities with France. Belgium desired to avoid war and would not have let France, Great Britain, or Germany violate her territory. Roosevelt wants citizens to act as good Americans and be “United States and nothing more.” The worst thing that can happen is the perpetuation of “division based on differences of creed or differences of racial origin.” Americans should strive for the betterment of mankind and judge each nation by its conduct.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-02-08
Theodore Roosevelt is concerned that the British and French governments are not doing enough to influence American public opinion. He provides several examples of German actions that could have helped turn public opinion against Germany. Roosevelt is not recommending the violation of journalistic or international ethics, but facts of German wrongdoing exist and should be used to keep the American public on the side of the allies.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-01-22