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Secretary of War Taft discusses the U.S. Ambassador to Venezuela Bowen’s claims against Assistant Secretary of State Loomis. Bowen wants to prove that Loomis took bribery money. Taft offers to carry out an investigation with witnesses to clear up any misunderstandings.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-06-10
Secretary of War Taft responds to a letter from Senator Lodge regarding treaties that President Roosevelt has given to the Senate. Taft breaks down Lodge’s questions about articles in the treaties regarding legal and constitutional aspects, and evaluates amendments that the Senate proposes to add. Taft points out that the treaties currently under discussion refer to previous conventions which established a Permanent Court of Arbitration at The Hague, and discusses how the powers of this court interact with the powers of the United States government, specifically with reference to the making and execution of treaties. Taft also encloses a memo by Judge Charles E. Magoon.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-02-07
Secretary of War Taft jokingly tells President Roosevelt that he was unaware that the president had received a medal of honor from the Philippines Exposition of the 1904 St. Louis World’s Fair and that the president is of now the same class as Taft’s wife Helen and everyone on the Philippine Islands. Taft says he could not have stopped Dr. Gustav Niederlein’s reckless awarding of medals and would be glad to talk to Roosevelt about it later.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-02-06
Secretary of War Taft encloses accounts about yellow fever on the isthmus of Panama.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-01-27
Secretary of War Taft encloses a letter from Dr. T. H. Pardo de Tavera showing the difficulty of relations with the Philippines and suggests it shows the necessity of Taft visiting the island. Also included is a statement describing the effects of internal revenue laws on the tobacco and alcohol industries.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-01-19
Secretary of War Taft shares General Fred C. Ainsworth’s evaluation of Major Edward S. Fowler’s lackluster performance in the Military Secretary’s Office. Senator Redfield Proctor and other members of the military committee would like Fowler’s name withdrawn and replaced with Governor Alexander O. Brodie’s. They feel future appointments should be given only to captains “of the line of the Army.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-01-18
Secretary of War Taft sends Jose E. Alemany’s letter offering a view on the situation in Manila.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-01-17
Secretary of War Taft informs President Roosevelt that he has enclosed a copy of the Isthmian Canal Commission report in lieu of the memorandum Roosevelt handed him. Taft says the report contains all of the information that the president wanted and he is also returning Roosevelt’s original draft.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-01-12
Secretary of War Taft transmits the annual report of the Isthmian Canal Commission to Congress via letter. Taft supports a personnel change for the commission, citing the current members as ineffective, and also recommends to reduce the number of members to five or three.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-01-12
Admiral Walker is not unwilling to cut expenses, but is in favor of retaining the New York office and a steamship line.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-01-11
Secretary of War Taft encloses more papers regarding efforts to secure an American engineer at Port Arthur.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-01-10
Secretary of War Taft encloses a letter explaining the absence of an American engineer at Port Arthur and asks President Roosevelt for the letter’s return.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-01-09
Secretary of War Taft suggests to Justice Kyle that he take a leave of absence and then resign from his position, citing Kyle’s lack of desire to adapt to Spanish law and the region.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-01-07
Secretary of War Taft sends President Roosevelt documentation from General George W. Davis in Panama showing all efforts have been made to “avoid trouble with the Church.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-01-07
Secretary of War Taft encloses a message on the “medical and ordnance” bills for President Roosevelt’s signature. Taft asks Roosevelt’s opinion of a letter to the Isthmian Canal Commission regarding the Pacific Mail Steamship contract.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-01-06
Secretary of War Taft returns correspondence from Speaker Cannon and comments on its contents. Taft said that he read Cannon’s letter with interest and pleasure.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-01-04
Secretary of War Taft notifies President Roosevelt about the formation of a commission to guide acquisition of local land for living quarters while the United States continues construction of the Panama Canal. This commission will consist of local Panama people, people from the United States, and the English Consul, for a total of five commissioners. Taft is sending information on this task to the lsthmian Canal Commission in order to conform to the provisions of the treaty. Taft also mentions building houses in Manila, Philippines.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-01-03
Secretary of War Taft forwards to Chief of Staff Chaffee correspondence from President Roosevelt inquiring into appointing a “colored contract surgeon.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-12-26
Secretary of War Taft notifies President Roosevelt that he has arrived in Pensacola, Florida, and will be in Washington, D.C., the following day.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-12-13
Secretary of War Taft wires that an executive order was accepted by the Panamanian authorities. Taft will be traveling to Jamaica to discuss migrant labor.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-12-04