Your TR Source
During a visit to Washington, D.C., on January 22, 1918, Theodore Roosevelt helps those urging war reorganization and the speedup of war work. Roosevelt appears with an unidentified man standing and talking on the steps outside an unspecified building.
Library of Congress Motion Picture, Broadcasting and Recorded Sound
1918-01-22
Frank Greene was pleased to receive Theodore Roosevelt’s letter and confirms that Jack Tisdale was killed around twenty years ago. He reminisces about the old days in Little Missouri and relates several anecdotes. The local sentiment is that the United States should avoid a war with Germany.
State Historical Society of North Dakota
1916-01-13
Kermit Roosevelt sends Christmas greetings and hopes they might spend a Christmas together soon. He outlines his family’s plans for where they would like to live and work in the future. Argentina is on the “right side” regarding attitudes towards the war and Roosevelt would be enlisting if he were not married.
1914-12-23
Theodore Roosevelt is delighted to have heard from R. J. Cunninghame, and has sent the letter on to his son Kermit. Roosevelt would have had Cuninghame in the fighting force if he had command, and hopes still to be at the front with his four sons. Roosevelt is glad that Cuninghame is able to serve, even if it is in the ambulance service and not at the front.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-08-06
Theodore Roosevelt is disgusted by President Wilson’s actions after the sinking of the Lusitania. He is pleased that he spoke out publicly on the sinking.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-06-04
Theodore Roosevelt informs Moreton Frewen that he feels very strongly about the “German business,” but that the rest of the United States does not agree with his stance. Roosevelt tells Frewen that he will read his article with great interest.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-06-01
Theodore Roosevelt has tried to convince the American people to do their duty regarding the war. However, they have been misled by many politicians and pacifists. Roosevelt suggests that Mrs. Antonio De Viti de Marco and her friends write to Jane Addams and other America pacifists to convince them that their demand for peace and ignorance of “hideous wrongdoing” is the “gravest crime against righteousness.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-06-01
This film compilation presents Theodore Roosevelt at various public functions in support of the war effort.
Library of Congress Motion Picture, Broadcasting and Recorded Sound
1917-1918
Rumors about Quentin Roosevelt’s death arrived on July 16 but were not confirmed until today. Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt is suffering and Flora Whitney is brokenhearted. Quentin “died as the heroes of old died.” Congress returned some Nobel Prize money to Roosevelt and he has decided to donate it to the Salvation Army. He agrees with Archibald “Archie” B. Roosevelt’s thoughts on the government’s failure to prepare for war and that many people, like Quentin, will pay with their blood. Theodore “Ted” Roosevelt was recently injured with a “bullet through his leg.”
1918-07-21
Theodore Roosevelt asks Anna Roosevelt Cowles to decline Miss Edgar’s invitation for him to speak in Canada; he feels it would be inappropriate to speak about his opposition to the United States’ position on the current war outside of his own country. He is embarrassed at Archibald “Archie” B. Roosevelt’s behavior during his visit at the Cowles’ house but is pleased that Quentin Roosevelt enjoyed himself.
1915-07-10
Theodore Roosevelt writes his son Kermit and daughter-in-law Belle about how happy he is that Scribners accepted Kermit’s poem. He describes his travels for the liberty loan drive and criticizes President Woodrow Wilson’s handling of the war. Roosevelt closes with a list of recent dinner guests.
1918-10-13
Theodore Roosevelt writes his son Kermit from Dark Harbor, Maine, where he and Mother are staying with Ethel Roosevelt Derby and mourning Quentin Roosevelt. He says Ethel’s son Richard Derby has been a great comfort for Mother, and he hopes they will send Archibald “Archie” B. Roosevelt home soon. Roosevelt says Quentin’s death has been in every newspaper and has helped unite the country.
1918-07-28
Theodore Roosevelt writes to his son Kermit that he is concerned Kermit has not received any of his letters. He advises Kermit that if it is feasible he should get into the American army in France come summer. Roosevelt criticizes President Woodrow Wilson and complains about the unpreparedness of the drafted men and their lack of equipment. He says the general public are ignorant of military and international matters.
1917-12-18
Theodore Roosevelt writes his son Kermit to say they know he is at Port Said and to give updates on Belle, Ethel, Ethel’s husband Richard and the grandchildren. Roosevelt says he is glad all his sons were able to go abroad and fight and that the military training camps suffer from a lack of preparation. He has been speaking, writing and spending time with Mother.
1917-09-11
Theodore Roosevelt states his reasons for opposing President Woodrow Wilson’s position during World War I. Roosevelt did follow Wilson for the first six months, but after that was convinced Wilson was completely wrong. Wilson denied Roosevelt permission to raise divisions and go to France for political reasons. There is a note opposite the second page of the letter that states Roosevelt wanted to keep this letter private, but after his death his son Ted allowed it to be published. The letter was then reproduced extensively.
1917-06-06
Theodore Roosevelt believes that there is growing public sentiment in favor of his views on the war. He would like to encourage this sentiment but does not want an “open fight” or to be considered a political candidate. Roosevelt does not trust the supposed change of German Americans. The decent German Americans will eventually support Roosevelt but the “professional hyphenated German-Americans” will only do so because they respect an “open and efficient foe” and not President Wilson’s “timid and treacherous make-believe friend.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-12-21
Theodore Roosevelt appreciates Dwight B. Heard’s letter and addresses the issue of the “Iowa cartoon.” The Progressives and Republicans have not been using his name in their campaigns, of which Roosevelt approves. He believes that within a year or two, the nation will come around to the principles he champions. Meanwhile, President Wilson “has eaten his own words” regarding many of the issues surrounding the war. Roosevelt reflects on the political situation surrounding the war.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-12-06
Theodore Roosevelt argues in favor of a military draft and suggests that the lack of a draft has limited Great Britain’s strength. Roosevelt believes that President Wilson is motivated by fear of pacifist and German-American voters. Wilson also has the “Jeffersonian Buchanan tradition” of avoiding all physical danger. If he had been president, Roosevelt would have taken action after the invasion of Belgium or the sinking of the Lusitania and he believes the country would have supported him.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-11-30
Theodore Roosevelt will not accept the lecture proposition as misapprehensions always arise when he travels abroad to speak. Roosevelt is disgusted with the Wilson administration and its support from the American public. He feels that the public “will always do well or ill largely in proportion to their leadership.” Roosevelt also fears a future conflict with Japan. If the war is deadlocked he feels Japan will seek “tribute” in the form of Hawaii, the Panama Canal, and Alaska. Roosevelt has been heartsick over the sinking of the Lusitania.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-06-23
Theodore Roosevelt believes Major John Henry Parker could provide a great service by entering Congress, as the public needs a competent civilian to tell them what needs to be done. The peace propaganda of recent years has damaged the country. The average American is “soft” and seeks to avoid “doing anything that needs work or that implies risk.” The public is pleased that the Wilson administration is shirking its duty with Mexico and Germany.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-06-22