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Theodore Roosevelt writes to his son Kermit and daughter-in-law Belle about Archie and Quentin going to army camp for training. He talks about the fancy dress party he and Edith hosted. Edith is ill because of the poison ivy, and Ethel is visiting with her son. Roosevelt encloses a letter from Seth Bullock regarding Kermit in case of war.
1915-07-10
Theodore Roosevelt writes his son Kermit on his animosity towards Englishmen who will not fight in the war but will go watch football games. He says he has been writing about the war and strongly disapproves of President Wilson’s administration of foreign affairs. Roosevelt gives updates on Archie at Harvard, Quentin at Groton, and Ethel and her husband returning from a trip. Roosevelt hopes Belle is doing better in the heat and is enjoying his duty to be lazy and enjoy himself.
1914-12-02
Theodore Roosevelt has received Kermit Roosevelt’s letter about visiting Sao Paolo, Brazil, and everyone was interested in reading about Kermit and Belle Roosevelt setting up their new home. The book about the Roosevelt-Rondon Scientific Expedition has been sent to all members of the expedition through the Brazilian ambassador. Roosevelt describes the “delightful Xmas” at Sagamore Hill with all of his children, except Kermit, and three grandchildren. He reflects on the war and views Germany as “clearly ahead” and Austria growing stronger. Roosevelt admires German efficiency, which is greater than the efficiency of the Allies, and the Allies are infinitely more efficient than the United States. President Wilson and Secretary Bryan are the “worst creatures” to lead the nation in foreign affairs. Roosevelt believes the United States should have countered the “unscrupulous” behavior of Germany and intervened on behalf of Belgium. He has signed a three year contract with Metropolitan Magazine to publish his social and political views.
1914-12-28
Theodore Roosevelt tells John Callan O’Laughlin that he has been keeping himself “close to matters connected to the war.” Roosevelt also inquires about Gifford Pinchot.
1917-10-26
Theodore Roosevelt thanks John Callan O’Laughlin for his condolence note following the death of Roosevelt’s son Quentin Roosevelt.
1918-08-10
Theodore Roosevelt writes to John Callan O’Laughlin regarding Roosevelt’s recent criticisms of President Wilson. Roosevelt strongly disagrees with how Wilson is handling the war.
1917-04-13
A Jewish man dressed as Mars, the Roman god of war, and decorated with symbols of money, stands in the doorway of a munitions store labeled “Marsheim Bellonaberg & Co.” and “Ordnance Dept.” A notice posted on the side states “War Loans a Speciality” and a sign reads “By Appointment to H.I.M. the Czar & Mikado – Cash Vobiscum.”
Ehrhart’s cartoon smacks of anti-Semitism to contemporary eyes, but it uses the age-old stereotype of Jewish money-lenders as a stick with which to beat England and English banks. As Russia and Japan bled each other dry in their war, the English, as money-lenders to “the Czar and the Mikado” respectively, profited off both. The British made loans at high interest, and sold munitions similarly.
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.”
This cartoon appeared two months after Panama seceded from Colombia (it was recognized by the United States as a republic a week later), and a month before the United States Senate ratified the Hay-Bunau-Varilla Treaty that set terms for the United States’s purchase of rights and responsibilities regarding construction of a transoceanic canal. The nation of Colombia felt aggrieved over the sudden loss of its territory and its perpetual negotiations with countries and private investors for a canal through its land.
Uncle Sam, John Bull (cartoon figure of Great Britain) and William II, Emperor of Germany, stand before Mars, the god of war, who is lying on the ground, asleep. Caption: “Sh-h-h! ‘Let sleeping dogs lie.'”
In the years preceding World War I, nations of the world formed alliances by open or secret treaties, ostensibly to secure peace, but often to establish spheres of influence or buy time for other goals. The “Dreibund,” a German term for three-part alliance, never happened, at least with Great Britain who seriously mistrusted Germany (and vice-versa), not the United States, especially vis a vis Germany. The size and latent awful strength of Mars, suggested by Keppler’s cartoon, was unleashed a dozen years later on the European continent.
Quentin Roosevelt’s stories from this issue of The Grotonian, of which is he is one of the editors. The stories included by Roosevelt are “One Man with a Dream” and “Typical.” Also included is a mention that Archibald Roosevelt has recently visited the school.
Sagamore Hill National Historic Site
1915-01
President Roosevelt praises the efforts of the Navy. He declares that an efficient navy of adequate size is “not only the best guarantee of peace, but is also the surest means for seeing that if war does come the result shall be honorable to our good name and favorable to our national interests.” He stresses the necessity of training and preparedness in assuring the Navy’s success in times of war.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-08-26
At the direction of President Roosevelt, William Loeb returns the enclosures relating to General Arthur MacArthur’s comments on an impending war between the United States and Germany. The President would like to see General MacArthur’s reply when it is received.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-12-12
Theodore Roosevelt’s secretary sends C. Floyd Wambeam a copy of a speech by Roosevelt in answer to Wambeam’s question about Roosevelt’s attitude regarding war and peace.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-09-25
Theodore Roosevelt is surprised by Ambassador James Bryce’s questions to William S. Cowles about fortifying the Panama Canal, which he compares to the Strait of Gibraltar. It is not a current enemy they are fortifying against but a future one, such as Germany or Japan. Roosevelt argues that fleets are not a substitute for fortifications. Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt is “very much shattered” but is “slowly improving.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-10-27
It appears that President Wilson is drifting into war with Mexico without any preparations. Theodore Roosevelt hopes to raise a division and will stop being a critic once in uniform. Roosevelt wants to serve and be a public example of service even if the division is used to further the political goals of Wilson and the Democratic Party. Sending the National Guard to the border was a mistake that allowed the “hardships of war” without the “benefits of efficient war.” Many families are suffering as their men patrol the border.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1916-07-03
Theodore Roosevelt agrees with Max Ferrand that the mobilization of the nation’s resources and strength is a prime necessity. Roosevelt says the country cannot have preparedness for war unless it has preparedness for peace. Roosevelt thinks the initiative, referendum, recall, direct primary, etc., have not worked as well as expected because radicals insisted upon applying them in an extreme and ill-advised manner. Roosevelt has pointed out in speeches that the proposed reforms would merely give the people a chance to accomplish their purpose, if they had a serious purpose.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1916-01-15
Theodore Roosevelt defends his statements in favor of foreign policy action against criticism from an Outlook correspondent.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-12-21
Theodore Roosevelt has read Finley Peter Dunne’s article about the Navy. Roosevelt agrees with what Dunne said about Grover Cleveland’s administration and the needs of the Navy then as compared to the present. Roosevelt notes that when he took office, Congress had stopped appropriating money for new battleships or further upbuilding of the Navy because there was no immediate need for naval defense after the Spanish War. Therefore, Roosevelt had to fight against inertia and hostility in order to inspire popular sentiment in favor of the Navy.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-12-22
Theodore Roosevelt would like the American people to see the effort, resolution, and self-sacrifice that is happening in Great Britain. He believes that Mary Augusta Arnold Ward is the perfect person to write such an article.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-12-27
Theodore Roosevelt strongly disagrees with Admiral Chadwick’s opinion that the United States should be supporting Germany because of wrongs done to the country by the English and Dutch centuries ago. It is a “foolish doctrine” to do wrong in the present because of centuries-old events. Roosevelt defends his policies towards Morocco during his presidency. He states that any comparison between the Moroccan situation and Belgium is “unspeakably silly” as Belgium was able to keep internal order and did not antagonize Germany.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-12-31