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Theodore Roosevelt writes to his son Kermit to say that he and Edith are about to leave on their trip to the West Indies, and he has sent Kermit a copy of his new book Fear God, Take your own Part. Roosevelt says the essays in it are the reason President Wilson finally began to speak out against Germany and for war preparedness. He also gives an update on Quentin.
1916-02-07
Theodore Roosevelt writes to his son Kermit, concerned about Belle’s condition as he thought she was getting better. Roosevelt says he would come to them in Panama were it not for the Republican Convention in three weeks’ time. He also says he is sending Kermit another copy of his new book A Book-Lover’s Holidays in the Open. Roosevelt criticizes President Wilson and worries about Wilson’s actions should the country drift into war with Mexico.
1916-05-14
Theodore Roosevelt reports on the achievements of Quentin, Archie, and Ted at the Plattsburgh military training camp, noting that they received good recommendations from their officers. To Roosevelt’s delight, Archie was placed in a position above Ted. Archie and Ted also traveled to Montreal, Quebec, to view the military preparations. The Plattsburgh camp has been very successful, and other camps are being formed across the country. Roosevelt criticizes President Wilson for his policy toward Germany and Mexico.
1915-08-28
Theodore Roosevelt writes to his son Kermit about his hunting trip north of Quebec, Canada, where he killed a caribou and two moose. He also details Archie’s disappointing hunting trip to Banff, Alberta, Canada. Roosevelt criticizes President Wilson and his foreign policy toward Germany and Mexico and discusses the war in Europe. He also mentions that Ted is doing good business work, and Ted feels that Kermit has a real future with the bank.
1915-10-01
Theodore Roosevelt writes his son Kermit about a speech he gave entitled “Americanism” and rails against President Wilson and his foreign policy toward the World War and Mexico, unfavorably comparing Wilson to Thomas Jefferson. Roosevelt talks of how well Ted has done in business this year and discusses the army training camp at Plattsburgh, New York.
1915-10-15
Theodore Roosevelt writes his son Kermit to say that in the event of war with Germany, Roosevelt plans to form a mounted regiment and wants Kermit to be a lieutenant. He says if war should break out with Mexico he would not want Kermit to join because it would be better suited to Archie or Quentin. He says he will write Seth Bullock about forming a North Dakota regiment. Roosevelt also talks about a visit from Archie and Archie’s view on Harvard Clubs including the Porcellian.
1915-06-26
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
A draft of a speech addressing members of the Grand Army of the Republic in which President Roosevelt praises the efforts of the Union Army during the Civil War. He argues that with the growth of cities, and of individual and corporate fortunes, men have become more divided into groups and classes. Roosevelt asserts that in order to solve the “dark problems looming before us,” Americans must “strive onward” in the same spirit Union soldiers demonstrated when they fought alongside men regardless of class or religion.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-08-28
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
President Roosevelt addresses members of the Grand Army of the Republic, praising the efforts of Union Army soldiers during the Civil War. He argues that with the growth of cities and individual and corporate fortunes, men have become more divided into groups and classes, thereby diminishing the “realization of that essential underlying brotherhood which ought to be deep in the heart of every American.” Roosevelt asserts that in order to solve the “dark problems looming before us,” they must prioritize cooperation. He insists that Americans must “strive onward” in the same spirit Union soldiers demonstrated when they fought alongside men regardless of class or religion.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-08-28
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