War crimes

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Thomas E. Watson

Theodore Roosevelt is disappointed that Thomas E. Watson has such “violent feeling” towards Catholics, which he does not believe is compatible with the “real and full belief in our American institutions.” He would consider himself an unworthy citizen if he failed to treat each citizen with “absolute disregard of his creed.” Roosevelt defends religious freedom and will “fight the battle of decency” without regard for a person’s religion or opposition to him.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-01-19

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Arthur Mez

Theodore Roosevelt was touched by the letter of Captain Mez and will keep it confidential. Roosevelt is “grieved” over the war and understands that each nation, from their standpoint, is in the right. However, he sees no defense for Germany’s “dreadful” actions toward Belgium. Roosevelt fears that the warring nations will emerge from the war disliking the United States and he hopes the country will prepare for war.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-01-16

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to William Astor Chanler

Theodore Roosevelt admires German valor and efficiency but is indignant over what has happened to Belgium. He believes that Germany would do the same to the United States if necessary. Roosevelt agrees with William Astor Chanler regarding “living dangerously” and admires Chanler for living up to these ideals. He also admires the young Americans that have gone to the front and regrets that he could not join them due to his age and health issues. If the United States enters the war, Roosevelt hopes to take an active role and raise a cavalry division. He opposes neutrality as “worse than nothing” which only incurs the “contempt of both sides.” Roosevelt wanted the United States to stand up for Belgium and views the allies as fighting what should have been an American battle. A German victory will eventually lead to a confrontation in the Americas.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-01-13

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Kuno Meyer

Theodore Roosevelt was interested in Kuno Meyer’s letter even though he disagrees with much of it. Roosevelt’s position is based on the need for the United States to defend itself and to judge other nations on their conduct. He champions Belgium, as Belgium has been “dreadfully wronged.” Roosevelt will not guess at the outcome of the war, but if Germany is victorious her actions towards Belgium indicate that the United States will eventually have to defend itself. He does not believe that the “righteousness of a cause and the final issue may both with safety be deduced from the spirit of the nation fighting.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-01-07

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt

Theodore Roosevelt argues that Americans who view international relations from the standpoint of their “ancestral blood” are damaging the country’s “common American citizenship.” Roosevelt has used the case of Belgium to show what could happen to the United States after a German victory. However, he has other reasons, which he does not want to put on paper, to fear a showdown with a victorious Germany. The wrongs of the war were perpetrated by Germany against Belgium, and it is impossible not to think that wrongs could be committed against you if there is “sufficient interest to make it desirable.” There is no doubt that the German people believe in the righteousness of their cause and have responded accordingly. However, Southerners during the American Civil War felt the same. Roosevelt would like the United States to introduce universal military service and guarantee Germany against invasion and subjugation. Afterwards, the country could guarantee the borders of small states, such as Belgium.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-01-29

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Andrew Noll

Theodore Roosevelt directs Andrew Noll to his recently published articles which answer many of Noll’s questions. Noll’s contention that Germany found evidence of Belgian plans to violate neutrality is false and all evidence shows that Belgium would have, if necessary, put up a defense against France, Great Britain, or Germany. Roosevelt believes he has given Germany a “square deal” and that Germany must do the same to Belgium, a neighboring country that is suffering under German “subjugation and destruction.” Roosevelt states that American citizens need to “act purely as American citizens,” treat other countries according to their conduct, and put their country in a position to defend itself.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1914-12-18

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Ferdinand von Stumm

Theodore Roosevelt respects Germany and his statements about the war have primarily focused on the violation of Belgium’s neutrality. He believes the only justification for this act is the theory that there is no “international right and wrong.” If Roosevelt were German, he would be fighting for Germany. However, at the earliest opportunity he would seek to undo the wrongs done to Belgium. The fate of Belgium colors all of Germany’s subsequent statements and actions. Except for the case of Belgium, Roosevelt has not assigned blame to any warring nation. He understands that each country and their people believe that their cause is right. Roosevelt wants to judge each nation by its conduct and hopes for an “era when international wrong-doing shall be actively discouraged by civilized nations.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1914-12-02

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Alfred Noyes

Theodore Roosevelt is pleased with the letter and poem from Alfred Noyes. Roosevelt believes in peace but it must be “backed by physical force” in order to “appeal against the brutal, the disorderly, the homicidal.” He thinks Noyes’s verses will be helpful as too many “Peace people have degenerated into the ultra-pacifist type.” For example, none of the American peace organizations have denounced Germany for its actions in Belgium.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1914-11-28

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Oscar S. Straus

Theodore Roosevelt sees a gloomy future due to the war. Most of all, he believes Belgium needs to be given reparations and guaranteed protection from future invasion. He would rather see indefinite war then give up these goals. Roosevelt does not agree with Oscar S. Straus regarding Secretary of State William Jennings Bryan’s arbitration treaties and states that “sheer criminality” requires action and not investigations. He describes President Woodrow Wilson and Bryan as “the very most contemptible figures” that ever controlled American foreign affairs.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1914-11-23

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Ladislaus Hengelmuller von Hengervar

Theodore Roosevelt was pleased to be able to secure wide publication of Ladislaus Hengelmuller von Hengervar’s letter. Roosevelt has been concerned about the “terrible war.” He believed it would be advantageous for Bosnia and Herzegovina to enter the Austrian orbit instead of the Ottoman or Serbian. However, the Bosnians and Herzegovinians could not be made loyal to Austria and hindsight shows the annexation to be unwise. Roosevelt understands that the warring nations felt forced to act “by the fatalistic pressure of the past,” except for the case of Belgium whose invasion should have been rebuked by all civilized nations. He concludes by congratulating Hengelmuller von Hengervar for the “genuine national spirit” that has been shown by Austria-Hungary.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1914-11-16

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Edmund von Mach

Theodore Roosevelt thanks Edmund von Mach for his book, which he found to be excellent. Roosevelt agrees about the suffering of the soldiers but does not believe this should divert attention from wrongs done to Belgium. Roosevelt understands that all warring nations believe their cause is just, but he sees no defense for what Germany has done in Belgium. He is a great admirer of Germany and would consider the destruction of the German Empire a great calamity, but he does not believe any good can come from one European nation “smashing” another.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1914-11-07

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Rudyard Kipling

Theodore Roosevelt encloses several articles he has written on the war in Europe which call for American military preparation and stress the nation’s duty to interfere on behalf of Belgium. He does not state the form of interference, as the American public would not support him. Roosevelt views the American public as short sighted with far too much confidence in their security across the Atlantic Ocean. He has a low opinion of President Woodrow Wilson and Secretary of State William Jennings Bryan. Roosevelt has not seen first hand statements regarding the German outrages in Belgium and recommends that Great Britain launch an investigation among the Belgian refugees. Strong evidence is needed to reach world opinion.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1914-11-04

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Hugo Munsterberg

Theodore Roosevelt does not believe there can be a satisfactory peace until the wrongs against Belgium have been redressed. He thinks that most Germans acted out of an “honorable fear,” but a small portion, including many German leaders, have pursued an aggressive foreign policy regardless of the rights of other nations and international morality. Belgium has been ruined and Roosevelt wants them to receive reparations and a guarantee that the wrongs will not be repeated. He agrees that Russians are backwards but argues that liberal ideas are gaining ground and that a liberal Russia will prevent “Asiatic rule over Europe.” Roosevelt is not a pacifist and seeks peace by “putting international force behind an international desire to secure at least a reasonable approximation toward justice and fair play.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1914-10-03

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Rudyard Kipling

Theodore Roosevelt encloses several articles he has written on the situation in Europe. Roosevelt disagrees with President Wilson’s and Secretary of State Bryan’s attitude toward foreign affairs. However, he is reluctant to speak out about what actions he would have taken as president because he is powerless to see anything done. He believes that England is “entirely right” and that there can be no peace until the wrongs against Belgium have been redressed. Roosevelt has not publicly addressed the “outrages against individuals” due to the large amount of conflicting testimony. He likes the German people and believes that many have been “influenced by genuine fear.” Roosevelt agrees that there is a danger to the United States but Americans that share this view are a minority and Roosevelt’s political influence is “nearly gone.” He requests that Rudyard Kipling keep his letter confidential and write frankly about the articles, as well as anything else he should speak out about.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1914-10-03

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Edward Grey

Theodore Roosevelt has written several articles on the war in Europe in support of England’s position. He spoke plainly but with proper reserve and courtesy. Roosevelt opposes the position of the Wilson administration but publicly stating how he would have acted would do more harm than good. Most Americans are ignorant of foreign policy and do not understand the “impending military danger.” If Roosevelt were president, he would have taken a stand against the violation of Belgium’s neutrality no matter what course had to be followed. He believes the American people would have followed him. Roosevelt knows the Wilson administration would not support such a position.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1914-10-03

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Albert Apponyi

Theodore Roosevelt forwarded Albert Apponyi’s article to The Outlook but cannot guarantee its publication. He has felt out of sympathy with the pacifist movement and agrees with Apponyi that not all questions are suitable for arbitration or international inquiry. Roosevelt is “inexpressibly saddened” by the war in Europe and states that both sides have sincere convictions. He has no doubt that Belgium has been wronged, which must be addressed if “treaties are ever to amount to anything.” Roosevelt has many European friends and laments what is happening.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1914-09-17

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Emily Tyler Carow

Theodore Roosevelt approves of Emily Tyler Carow’s actions after the outbreak of war in Europe and hopes that Italy will not be drawn into war. He understands Carow’s desire to stay in Italy and will not try to influence her as there appears to be no imminent danger. Roosevelt is distressed at the “awful cataclysm” in Europe and describes what is happening in Belgium as “enough to wring a man’s soul.” The Roosevelt family is doing well. Kermit and Belle Roosevelt have been staying at Sagamore Hill before traveling to South America and Roosevelt has been able to see his other children and grandchildren often. In a postscript, Roosevelt asks Carow to thank the consul general at Genoa, Italy for his courtesy and efficiency towards Americans in his province.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1914-09-01

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Hermann Speck von Sternburg

At the Emperor’s request, President Roosevelt will be sending several officers to the German military maneuvers. Roosevelt addresses at length the reports of brutality and torture by the Army in the Philippines. Roosevelt does not support torture or “needless brutality” and understands that the Army has acted improperly on numerous occasions. However, he believes that on the whole the soldiers have been “exceedingly merciful.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-07-19

Letter from George B Cortelyou to Elihu Root

After reviewing the case against Lieutenant Arnold, President Roosevelt does not believe that there is grounds for a court-martial but Arnold merits severe censure. There has been accusations that Arnold’s men committed torture in the Philippines.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-07-10

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Elihu Root

President Roosevelt would like to know why Sergeant Edwards has not been tried by court martial for cruelty in the Philippines.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-06-20