War, Declaration of

A little boy, wearing a military uniform and paper hat labeled “Colombia,” beats on a huge drum labeled “War” with drumsticks labeled “Bombast” and “Bluster.”

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Collection

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

Theodore Roosevelt was pleased to hear that British Army Captain Frederick Courteney Selous is at the front. He compares Selous’s position as an older officer to General von Hindenberg, the most successful German general, who is over the age limit for generals. Roosevelt regrets to hear that Selous’s corp was treated poorly in East Africa. He encloses two articles he wrote supporting universal military service and rigorous application of military law. Roosevelt has been distressed at the misconduct of the United States and the activities of the “professional pacifists.” If Germany keeps sinking ships carrying Americans, the public may demand a declaration of war.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-08-28

Theodore Roosevelt agrees that President Wilson has no conviction and would declare war if he thought it would secure his reelection. Roosevelt criticizes the Wilson administration’s policies on dual nationality and its failure to defend American citizens that are being held in foreign nations. In a postscript, Roosevelt regrets that his decision not to run in the California primary might have embarrassed Governor Johnson. Roosevelt is trying to get the country to do its duty and convince Republicans and Progressives to work together. These causes will be damaged if the public thinks he is attempting to further his own ambitions.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1916-04-03

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.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-04-10

In the next issue of Metropolitan Magazine, Theodore Roosevelt goes after German Americans “without gloves.” If the United States goes to war with Germany, he believes he could raise enough men of German ancestry to “put down all the traitorous citizens at home and also fight the Germans abroad.” Roosevelt is feeling warlike and thinks there is “good fighting material” in the United States.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-03-13

Theodore Roosevelt refutes statements made by James M. Beck regarding Roosevelt’s actions around the time of the Spanish-American War. He denies advocating the sending of the Atlantic fleet to intercept and destroy the Spanish fleet without a declaration of war. He recommended warning Spain that sending the fleet to the West Indies would be considered a declaration of war and that the United States would act accordingly. Roosevelt also denies saying that the Assistant Secretary of the Navy should be made the “general Admiral of the Navy” with precedence over all other admirals. He suggests Beck is attempting to deliberately spread falsehoods and gives Franklin Spencer Edmonds permission to show his letter to Beck or anyone else who heard Beck’s statements. Roosevelt does not believe it is necessary to publish his response to Beck.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1914-11-19

President Roosevelt remembers meeting with President McKinley and the Cabinet before the Spanish-American War. Roosevelt recalls advocating that the Spanish government should be notified that the departure of their fleet would be considered an act of war and treated accordingly.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-11-13

President Roosevelt is engaged in a dispute with Governor Long over an article published by Long. Roosevelt feels that Long suggested that Roosevelt advocated attacking the Spanish fleet without declaring war. Roosevelt admits that he wanted a declaration of war long before it was declared and wanted the Spanish Government warned that the departure of their fleet would be considered an act of war.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-10-15

President Roosevelt has taken issue with an article written by Governor Long that appeared in the Outlook. The article suggests that Roosevelt, while Assistant Secretary to Long, wanted to send a squadron to attack the Spanish fleet while the United States was still at peace with Spain. President Roosevelt remembers events differently and considers Long’s accusation to be serious, especially since it appears to have been accepted by the public at large.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-10-12

Secretary of State Root understands President Roosevelt’s selection of James Buchanan Aleshire for appointment as Quartermaster General. Root has returned Henry Cabot Lodge’s letter about Harvard’s commencement. Regarding the work of the Hague, Root reports that the armament question will be shelved. The United States delegates to the Hague have asked for instruction on two matters: the form of the contract debt provisions and voting on a declaration of war.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-07-08

In a history of the new American Navy and the Spanish-American War printed in The Outlook, John Davis Long, who was Secretary of the Navy during the war, has claimed that President Roosevelt, then an assistant secretary of the navy, advocated for attacking the Spanish fleet before a declaration of war. The unknown author does not think that Long’s claims injure Roosevelt but adds to his reputation for initiative and courage because the Spanish fleet was heading towards the United States on a hostile mission. The author does not believe that a formal declaration is required before hostilities and provides several historical examples. The author also suggests an early fleet engagement could have saved lives by bringing an earlier peace and preventing an invasion of Cuba.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-10-27

Assistant Secretary of State Peirce will not be able to complete his report about his investigation of the consulates before the end of October. However, he does have information that Emperor Meiji wished for him to convey to President Roosevelt. He also has news from Hirobumi Ito and Jutaro Komura about the policy of Japan and the events which led to the declaration of hostilities between Japan and Russia. Peirce would like William Loeb to convey this information to President Roosevelt and ask when Peirce can visit him at Oyster Bay, New York.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-07-21

Puck, holding a suitcase with sword, stands before President McKinley, offering his services. McKinley is sitting in a chair, holding a quill pen and papers. Behind McKinley, hanging on the wall, is a sword labeled “War.” Caption: Puck–I’ll be with you, Mr. President, whether its [sic] war or peace!

Collection

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

Creation Date

1898-05-04

Theodore Roosevelt has received Captain McCoy’s letter and will discuss its suggestions with Gordon Johnston when he visits the Plattsburgh Camp. He has discussed the machine gun division with Mr. Smedburg. Roosevelt is unsure if the Wilson administration can be “kicked into war” but the Germans might declare war.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1915-08-24

On behalf of Colombia, General Ortiz protests against the presence of American warships in Colombian waters. Ortiz is unaware of a declaration of war and General Reyes is currently in Washington, D.C., attempting to negotiate a diplomatic solution to the difficulties with Panama. Ortiz compares the Colombian situation to the American Civil War and believes that “right and justice” are on the Colombian side.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-12-15