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Bell, James Franklin, 1856-1919

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Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to James Franklin Bell

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to James Franklin Bell

President Roosevelt sends Major General Bell’s report to Secretary of War Taft. Roosevelt compares the threat of Japan conquering California in a war to the possibility of losing the Philippines or Hawaii. Roosevelt will do his best to prevent any wrong being done to Japan. He will also keep the country in readiness should war break out, though he expects that having someone like Senator Eugene Hale as chairman of the Senate Committee on Naval Affairs may make that difficult.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-07-23

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Arthur Murray to James Franklin Bell

Letter from Arthur Murray to James Franklin Bell

Brigadier General Murray contests several statements made by Mr. Archibald regarding the incompleteness of the fixed defenses of the Pacific Coast harbors. Murray assures Chief of Staff Bell that the mines used in the coastal defense system are controlled from shore and are harmless to friendly vessels. Murray also notes that submarines are promising war vessels but they have not yet proven to be valuable and, therefore, Mr. Archibald’s suggestion to adopt submarines for the defenses of the harbors is “preposterous.” Murray does believe, however, that submarines possess decided merit for uses supplemental to fixed defenses in harbors where mines cannot be used.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-01

Creator(s)

Murray, Arthur, 1851-1925

Memorandum from Smith S. Leach to James Franklin Bell

Memorandum from Smith S. Leach to James Franklin Bell

Corps of Engineers Lieutenant Colonel Leach summarizes James F. J. Archibald’s letter to President Roosevelt regarding the weak defense of the Hawaiian Islands. In general, the Pacific Ocean is very poorly defended and should be considered a vulnerability. Leach discuses the logistics of introducing submarine weapons into naval defenses and previous attempts to acquire such weapons. While Leach concedes that Hawaii is lacking in defense, he strongly disagrees with the position that the Pacific Ocean is vulnerable and proves this by listing the local forts and their weaponized capacity.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-01-21

Creator(s)

Leach, Smith S.

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to James Franklin Bell

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to James Franklin Bell

After discussing the matter in Puerto Rico, President Roosevelt has concluded that Robert Lee Howze should return there to serve as head of the regiment as soon as possible. He would like to consult General Bell regarding timing. Roosevelt also calls Bell’s attention to a memorandum regarding the commission of officers. He believes that all lieutenants should be subject to an examination in order to keep their commissions. He would like to meet with Bell tomorrow to discuss the issue.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-06-05

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to James Franklin Bell

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to James Franklin Bell

President Roosevelt has spoken with the German ambassador, who has told him that Emperor William II will welcome General Leonard Wood to unofficially view the maneuvers, but only on the condition that he does not officially attend maneuvers in France or anywhere else. The value in attending such events comes from watching smaller units work, rather than big spectacles. Roosevelt suggests that General Bell mention this to Wood.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-05-02

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to James Franklin Bell

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to James Franklin Bell

President Roosevelt agrees with General Bell that the proposed law would not currently be in the best interest of the service. However, as General Robert Shaw Oliver suggested, he believes a list should be published that shows the amount of time officers have spent in various classes and areas of duty. He asks Bell to go over the list with Secretary of War William H. Taft.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-04-13

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to James Franklin Bell

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to James Franklin Bell

President Roosevelt writes to General James Franklin Bell regarding the fortification of Hawaii. Representative Walter Inglewood Smith has told Roosevelt that the government had purchased two parcels of land in Hawaii that are currently unused, and says that if this is true, it emphasizes his point that the War Department and Navy Department must carefully consider their requests if they want Congress to pay attention to them. Roosevelt instructs that there must be a clear plan for what must be done with regards to military fortifications in Hawaii.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-03-02

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919