Bell, James Franklin, 1856-1919

Letter from James Franklin Bell to Theodore Roosevelt

United States Army Chief of Staff Bell thanks President Roosevelt for the opportunity to read General Leonard Wood’s correspondence and states that he has always had a high respect for him. Bell agrees with Wood’s letters and orders, particularly one paragraph that highlights a system of military competition used by the French Army with much success. Although Bell would like to see more of this type of competition, he has not advocated for this in the entire Army due to a lack of officers in the United States, as most are stationed overseas. He concludes by informing Roosevelt that he has kept these matters strictly confidential as the president requested.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-09-12

Creator(s)

Bell, James Franklin, 1856-1919

Letter from James Franklin Bell to Theodore Roosevelt

General Bell, Army Chief of Staff, updates Theodore Roosevelt on the efforts to find a case that will fit his field glasses. A case is being sent, and Bell hopes that Roosevelt will not pay for it but will accept it as a token of his admiration. Bell also says that he will continue to address Roosevelt as “Mr. President,” because it feels unnatural to call him anything else.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1909-03-16

Creator(s)

Bell, James Franklin, 1856-1919

Letter from James Franklin Bell to Theodore Roosevelt

Army Chief of Staff Bell responds to inquiries from President Roosevelt concerning circumstances related to the fortification of Hawaii. Bell corrects Roosevelt’s understanding that the government had purchased some tracts of land in Hawaii that were now abandoned, and says that the land will be used to construct a battery of guns. Bell also informs Roosevelt that General Arthur Murray has gone to see the Committee in person to explain the construction that will be necessary to fortify Honolulu and Pearl Harbor.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-03-10

Creator(s)

Bell, James Franklin, 1856-1919

Memorandum for the Third Division

Army Chief of Staff James Bell Franklin requests a report regarding the construction of a naval base in the Philippines. Bell highlights several issues that should be given consideration and explained when examining the differences between Subig Bay and Manila Bay, especially highlighting several statements made in a report by the Board of Officers that should be replied to directly. This prior report, Franklin says, considered the sites for naval defense only, did not give proper consideration to inland defenses, and suggested that the entrance to Manila Bay could not be held.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-03-05

Creator(s)

Bell, James Franklin, 1856-1919

Memorandum for the Secretary of War

The memorandum to Secretary of War Taft raises the question of how long the battle fleet will stay in the Pacific. The memorandum advocates a permanent naval presence in the region. First, because coastal defenses on the Pacific Coast are not adequate to defend against an attack. Second, because of the location of Hawaii and the Philippines, far from home ports and close to enemy ports. Third, because Hawaii can serve as a strategic naval base and needs battle fleet protection to be effective. Fourth, because the United States lacks adequate land forces to guard the coast. A page of addenda shows Taft acknowledging the memo and wishing to confer with President Roosevelt, and Roosevelt’s subsequent assessment that he will consider the Joint Army and Navy Board’s opinion on the matter, but does not wish to divide the battle fleet between two oceans.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-02-07

Creator(s)

Bell, James Franklin, 1856-1919

Letter from James Franklin Bell to William Loeb

War Department Chief of Staff Major General Bell was away from Washington, D.C., when a decision was made in the case of Colonel William F. Stewart. Bell informs William Loeb that he knew nothing of the situation, and he asked General William Penn Duvall to prepare the enclosed memorandum about the case.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-12-09

Creator(s)

Bell, James Franklin, 1856-1919

Letter from James Franklin Bell to Theodore Roosevelt

Army Chief of Staff Bell sends President Roosevelt a letter from a retired Army officer which he believes contains some boasting on the part of a Japanese officer, although he does not doubt that similar thoughts have occurred to “mighty nearly every Japanese official.” Although reports have not shown any preparations by the Japanese for conflict with the United States, they have been gathering intelligence on American military activities on the Pacific coast and in the Philippines, suggesting they view conflict with the United States as possible. Bell is pleased with the measures Roosevelt has taken to be prepared for “any eventuality in the Pacific Ocean,” except for Roosevelt’s suggestion of immediately abandoning Manila if Japan attacks. Bell notes it is a very serious thing to abandon a capital, and very difficult to pack up the archives and records of a government. Bell recommends fortifying the entrance to the Bay of Manila to dissuade the Japanese from taking the islands.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-07-18

Creator(s)

Bell, James Franklin, 1856-1919

Letter from James Franklin Bell to Theodore Roosevelt

Chief of Staff Bell writes to President Roosevelt about the difficulty acquiring ships for transport of troops and supplies to Cuba. Ports in the south should anticipate higher traffic of troops and supplies back and forth. Bell asks that Roosevelt speak with governors of southern states, asking them to lift their quarantine of ships returning from Cuba to expedite the process.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-09-25

Creator(s)

Bell, James Franklin, 1856-1919

Letter from James Franklin Bell to William Loeb

Brigadier-General Bell informs William Loeb that he disagrees with Theodore Roosevelt’s endorsement of Captain Parker for the mission to Cuba. While Bell agrees that Parker has many admirable traits, his professional defects heavily outweigh them, and he is “one of the last men in the Army he would voluntarily recommend” for the mission.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-09-19

Creator(s)

Bell, James Franklin, 1856-1919

Letter from James Franklin Bell to Theodore Roosevelt

Chief of Staff Bell is replying to President Roosevelt’s letter about a War College Study on Cuba and a letter by General Frederick Funston. Bell assures all feasible ideas will be reviewed but that priority should be given to securing troops in the area first. Bell writes that troops are prepared, and transport could be arranged on the Sumner with three days notice, awaiting Roosevelt’s word. Bell lists other ships acquired to transport troops.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-09-22

Creator(s)

Bell, James Franklin, 1856-1919

Letter from James Franklin Bell to William Loeb

Brigadier General Bell encloses a copy of the War College study done by Lieutenant Colonel William W. Wotherspoon for President Roosevelt.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-09-17

Creator(s)

Bell, James Franklin, 1856-1919

Letter from James Franklin Bell to Theodore Roosevelt

James Franklin Bell, Chief of Staff of the United States Army, proposes a plan to President Roosevelt to disarm Cuban insurgents. The plan, based on experience in the Philippine-American War, involves discreetly gathering information through American officers in Cuba, with the “consent and cooperation” of Cuban President Tomás Estrada Palma.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-08-30

Creator(s)

Bell, James Franklin, 1856-1919

Letter from James Franklin Bell to William H. Taft

Brigadier General Bell reports to Governor Taft on preparations being made by the War Department in case intervention becomes necessary. Bell discusses the logistics of intervention in detail, mainly pertaining to transportation and notes the War Department is prepared to promptly respond.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-08-29

Creator(s)

Bell, James Franklin, 1856-1919

Letter from James Franklin Bell to Theodore Roosevelt

James Franklin Bell, Chief of Staff of the War Department, returns a revised draft of a letter to the Secretary of War from President Roosevelt. He has reviewed the letter regarding the conduct of the Army in San Francisco and recommends it be sent upon receipt of the Secretary’s report on San Francisco, as it will be beneficial to the Army and well deserved.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-05-10

Creator(s)

Bell, James Franklin, 1856-1919

Letter from James Franklin Bell to Theodore Roosevelt

James Franklin Bell, chief of staff of the U.S. Army, writes to President Roosevelt regarding an article by Captain Soloviev, and discusses the importance of infantry and bayonet use in battles. Bell also refers to other observations from Japanese and Russian battles.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-01-10

Creator(s)

Bell, James Franklin, 1856-1919

General Orders No. 186

Major General Bell issues orders making graduates from the Mounted Service School instructors in horsemanship and equitation in their units.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-11-23

Creator(s)

Bell, James Franklin, 1856-1919

Letter from James Franklin Bell to William Loeb

Major General James Franklin Bell sends William Loeb an extract from the proceedings of the Joint Board in answer to a question about his opinion regarding the choice of Subic Bay as the site for a naval station. While Subic Bay is an attractive site from a purely naval perspective, it cannot be defended on land. Bell does not, however, object to making a thorough study of the question.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-02-24

Creator(s)

Bell, James Franklin, 1856-1919

Memorandum from James Franklin Bell to Theodore Roosevelt

James Franklin Bell, Chief of Staff of the War Department, informs President Roosevelt of the number of ships available to transport troops to Cuba and the approximate number of troops they could hold. Bell notes that issues may arise with state quarantine regulations for ships after they visit Cuba.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-09-25

Creator(s)

Bell, James Franklin, 1856-1919

Letter from James Franklin Bell to Adna Romanza Chaffee

General Bell had previously informed General Corbin that he would be willing to return to the United States and take command of the Leavenworth School. However, he has been ordered to Batangas and does not want to leave until his work is finished. He would like General Chaffee to represent the matter to the War Department and request that the Leavenworth assignment be postponed for at least one year.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-03-18

Creator(s)

Bell, James Franklin, 1856-1919