Your TR Source
President Roosevelt thanks U.S. Chief of Staff Bell for his “long and interesting letter.” He plans to ask Bell for advice about what to say about the Army in his annual message to Congress.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-09-13
President Roosevelt sends United States Army Chief of Staff Bell a letter from General Leonard Wood, but asks it be kept confidential and returned. The letter is in agreement with the views Bell recently expressed.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-09-02
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.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-07-23
President Roosevelt would like a report from War Department Chief of Staff Bell on the article written by Captain Soloviev regarding battle action in the Russo-Japanese war.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-01-08
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.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-01
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.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-01-21
Leach, Smith S.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-10-03
Bell, James Franklin, 1856-1919
2025-10-23
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-09-29
Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919
Bell, James Franklin, 1856-1919
2025-10-23
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1917-11-16
Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919
Bell, James Franklin, 1856-1919
2025-04-17
President Roosevelt tells General Bell that he intends to appoint him to a commission mentioned in his message to Congress. Roosevelt also sends a memorandum from a navy officer related to Bell’s work.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1909-02-25
President Roosevelt would like to know if Major General Chief of Staff Franklin can implement the exercises William K. Sixsmith recommends in the army.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1909-01-28
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.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-06-05
President Roosevelt requests that General Bell see him and bring in a letter from Captain Harry O. Williard addressed to Commissioner Francis E. Leupp about his being detailed to the army school at Fort Leavenworth. Roosevelt remembers that Williard did well with the Navajos and would like to grant his request if possible.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-05-15
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.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-05-02
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.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-04-13
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.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-03-02
President Roosevelt agrees with General Bell about the selection of colonels, and asks if Bell will show this letter to Secretary of War William H. Taft.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-02-19
President Roosevelt is not surprised that General James Franklin Bell is such a good man when he had a mother who could write a letter like the one that Bell showed him. Roosevelt returns the letter.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-02-12
President Roosevelt thanks General Bell for the letter.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-02-01
President Roosevelt believes that officers should not be allowed to pass between details without serving with troops. He asks General Bell for a list of officers who have not served with troops for more than four years who had not previously served with troops for two years. He drafts verbiage of an order Bell could issue requiring officers to serve with troops.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-01-13