FDR - Jean Edward Smith [425]
62. “Resting Our Case,” The New Republic 57 (May 22, 1915). A survey of newspaper opinion is reprinted in Literary Digest 1197–1199 (May 22, 1915). Also see The New York Times, May 15, 1915. Not surprisingly, TR had nothing but contempt for Wilson’s effort to avoid war, which he alleged was supported “by all the hyphenated Americans … [by] every soft creature, every coward and weakling, every man who can’t look more than six inches ahead, every man whose god is money, or pleasure, or ease.” TR to his son Archibald, May 19, 1915. Theodore Roosevelt Papers.
63. German foreign minister Gottlieb von Jagow told The New York Times, “The issues involved are of such importance, and the views in regard to the Lusitania show such variance, that the German Government believed it essential to attempt to establish a common basis of fact before entering into a discussion of the issues involved.” May 31, 1915.
64. To allay German public opinion, military and naval authorities were explicitly instructed to keep the emperor’s order secret. Grand Admiral Alfred von Tirpitz, the Navy’s head, and Admiral Gustav Bachmann, the emperor’s naval aide, immediately submitted their resignations, which William II refused. “My order stands. If there are political consequences, the Imperial Chancellor carries the responsibility.” Quoted in Link, Wilson: Struggle for Neutrality 409.
65. The text of the American note, June 9, 1915, is in Foreign Relations, 1915, Supplement 436–438.
66. WJB to WW, June 3, 1915, 1 The Lansing Papers 419–421. Library of Congress. For the text of Bryan’s resignation and Wilson’s reply, see Link, Wilson: Struggle for Neutrality 422–423.
67. FDR to ER, June 10, 1915, 2 Roosevelt Letters 222. Numerous biographers, eager to put daylight between FDR and Daniels, suggest that Roosevelt was disappointed Daniels was not quitting as well. Nothing supports that assertion. To the contrary, Daniels did not believe Wilson’s note to Germany meant war, tried to dissuade Bryan from resigning, and was determined to remain loyal to the president, whom he adored. Taken in context of the Washington furor, FDR’s italicized comment that J. D. would not resign was a commendation of his boss. See Daniels, Wilson Era: Years of Peace 424–435.
68. FDR to WW, June 9, 1915, Wilson Papers.
69. WW to FDR, June 14, 1915, Wilson Papers.
70. WW to Garrison, July 21, 1915; WW to Daniels, July 21, 1915, cited in Link, Wilson: Struggle for Neutrality 591–594. Professor Link provides an extensive analysis of why Wilson changed his mind, which I have summarized.
71. Daniels, Wilson Era: Years of Peace 327–328.
72. FDR to ER, August 28, 1915, 2 Roosevelt Letters 235–236.
73. The council was composed of six members of cabinet, chaired by the secretary of war, plus a nonpartisan advisory panel made up of leaders of industry, labor, and science. Ibid. For the council’s operation, see Daniels, Wilson Era: Years of Peace 586–590.
74. Samuel I. Rosenman, ed., 8 The Public Papers and Addresses of Franklin D. Roosevelt 205, 243 (New York: Random House, 1950). This was the National Defense Advisory Commission (NDAC). See David M. Kennedy, Freedom from Fear 478 (New York: Oxford University Press, 1999).
75. FDR to Daniels, February 16, 1916, Daniels Papers.
76. The New York Times, September 3, 1916.
77. FDR to ER, September 2, 1916, 2 Roosevelt Letters 237–238.
78. Quoted in Kenneth S. Davis, FDR: The Beckoning of Destiny 425–426 (New York: G. P. Putnam’s Sons, 1971).
79. Elihu Root dutifully contested the nomination as a conservative alternative and trailed Hughes 253–103 on the first ballot. Hughes won the nomination 328–98 on the second ballot, and the third ballot made it unanimous. Congressional Quarterly, Guide to U.S. Elections 151 (Washington, D.C.: Congressional Quarterly, Inc., 1975).
80. FDR to ER, June 15, 1916, FDRL.
81. Washington Evening Star, June 15,