Your TR Source
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 has been a great comfort for Mother and he hopes they will send Archie 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 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
Theodore Roosevelt believes that political parties should have “large liberty in the different states for individual actions.” He would not be comfortable in the Republican Party of many states but in some states believes that progressives can work with Republicans. Roosevelt views President Wilson as a coward and thinks he is making the United States “appear contemptible.” However, most of the public is with Wilson and Roosevelt feels out of touch with the American people.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-06-10
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 responds to a letter from James Stevenson-Hamilton, noting that it came when he was discussing Stevenson-Hamilton’s book with Carl Ethan Akeley and Charles Sheldon. They all agree it “is one of the very best books” they know. Roosevelt does not believe that the United States ought to be pardoned for failing to defend Belgium against Germany. If he had been president, Roosevelt would have taken action regarding Belgium and believes the public would have supported war after the sinking of the Lusitania. His book, Fear God and Take Your Own Part, will soon be published and will cover his views on the war. The conduct of the Turks towards Armenians has been dreadful but, unlike the Germans, the Turks can behave “in civilized fashion in a war with the antagonists they respect.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1916-02-07
Theodore Roosevelt understands that Viscount Bryce meant well but believes that Bryce’s letter has damaged the cause of the allies by further muddling American public opinion on the war. Pacifists like Bryce cannot be depended upon in an emergency. Roosevelt’s efforts on behalf of the allies will be greatly hampered by Bryce’s statements. People who argue against military readiness or clamor for peace are strengthening the side that supports German brutality.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-03-29
Theodore Roosevelt does not understand Leopold James Maxse of the National Review who is being “severe” towards the United States and the role Jews play in British society. Maxse supported William H. Taft and is supporting President Wilson even though they do not want the United States to do its duty towards Great Britain. American public opinion is shifting towards Britain and the allies. Wilson is pursuing a policy that will appease the pacifists and not antagonize the allies. Roosevelt hopes Britain will not provoke the United States and other neutrals by violating the rules laid out in the Hague Conventions. He is anxious over German submarines disrupting commerce and chagrined at the German victory in East Prussia. However, Roosevelt believes that Germany will be defeated if the allies remain united.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-02-26
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
Silas McBee understood the distinction Theodore Roosevelt was trying to make and Roosevelt is sending a copy of a letter he wrote to someone that wanted him to join the Anglo-American Alliance. Roosevelt believes Great Britain had to stand by the entente but that the majority of the Liberal cabinet would not have done so until they were forced to by public reaction against the German invasion of Belgium. Roosevelt requests to breakfast with McBee on February 6.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-01-22
Theodore Roosevelt is envious of Lieutenant Colonel Lee as he has a “chance to do a piece of duty supremely worth doing.” Roosevelt wrote a short book on the war entitled America and the World War and has not “minced matters.” He would like Lee to look at the book. Roosevelt disapproves of President Wilson, Secretary of State Bryan, and the peace advocates. In a postscript, Roosevelt has decided to send Lee the letters he wrote to Edward Grey and Cecil Spring Rice. American public opinion is swinging back towards the allies. It has been “soul-trying” to listen to pacifist Englishmen and pro-German Americans, such as Nicholas Murray Butler. Roosevelt continues to be disgusted by the policies of the Wilson administration and their efforts to take political advantage of the war.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-01-22
The crux of the war for Theodore Roosevelt is Belgium and he will judge other nations by their conduct. Therefore, he opposes Germany for its actions in Belgium and praises Great Britain’s and France’s actions as a model for good faith and international morality. American public opinion has recently shifted in favor of the allies, but pro-German feeling had been growing for several months before this change. Roosevelt attributes the growth of this sentiment to the “lavish attentions” shown to American war correspondents by the Germans. He suggests the allies be more open and accommodating to correspondents. A closer view of the allied side will be beneficial to American public opinion and is unlikely to negatively interfere with military operations. Roosevelt also warns against being too strict with contraband. American trade is vastly more beneficial to the allies and could become a vital factor in the war. The allies must maintain these advantages and should be careful not to incite the American government or public. Roosevelt hopes that “every possible consideration” will be shown to the American flag and position.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-01-22
Theodore Roosevelt agrees with Gifford Pinchot’s attitude on the war and discusses press coverage of the conflict. President Wilson and Secretary of State Bryan have placed the country in a poor position and the United States is held in contempt by the “big fighting nations.” Viscount Bryce’s article supporting the attitude of Wilson and Bryan has increased the country’s difficulties. Foreign affairs are dominating American politics and Roosevelt does not believe that the Progressive Party can run another campaign. Their only recent success has been in California but overall there are too few Progressives to maintain an effective national organization.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-03-29
Theodore Roosevelt reviews American public opinion towards the war, which is generally favorable towards the allies. However, German Americans are “furiously on the side of Germany,” and most politicians have more to fear from an interested minority than a “tepid” majority.” Roosevelt believes that the strong German American feeling derives from the fact that American contraband trade is significantly more valuable to the allies. He recommends that Great Britain be lenient on the contraband trade with Germany, as a strict policy will damage American merchants and turn public opinion in favor of Germany. Roosevelt does not want Great Britain to insist on rights that will create hostility, expand its view on belligerent rights to extremes, or be too strict with contraband.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-01-05