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President Roosevelt will answer Emilio Aguinaldo if he writes. Roosevelt feels he has good reason to fear the Democrats are allowing the insurgency in the Philippines to continue for political reasons. He wants Lyman Abbott to meet with William Howard Taft as soon as Taft arrives.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1901-12-24
President Roosevelt will ask Governor Taft about Lyman Abbott’s proposal. He appreciates Abbott not signing the petition to bring Emilio Aguinaldo to the United States. Aguinaldo’s presence would encourage Filipinos to “instigate armed resistance instead of working for peace and order.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1901-12-16
Several figures petition President Roosevelt to allow Emilio Aguinaldo and a delegation from the Philippines to come to the United States to present the desires of the Filipino people in person.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1901
President Roosevelt responds to a request from Senator Lodge that he comment on an article about Egypt written by Charles Francis Adams. Roosevelt observes that Adams was apparently not aware of many of the issues related to holding colonies before traveling to Egypt. Comparing the British occupation and control of Egypt and India with the relationship of the United States to Cuba, Puerto Rico, and particularly the Philippines, Roosevelt asserts that the goal of the United States must be to administer the islands for the good of the natives with an eye towards eventual self-government (whereas this has not always seemed to be the goal of the British). Roosevelt also quotes a letter from General Leonard Wood regarding the condition of British colonies and the topic of Chinese labor. Roosevelt believes that the United States has acted much more benevolently towards its island holdings than the British have towards their colonies, and praises the efforts that the United States has made in reducing corruption and increasing the effectiveness of the governments of these dependencies.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-04-30
R. W. Boone read and greatly enjoyed President Roosevelt’s book The Winning of the West. Boone’s great-great-grandfather is Daniel Boone, and Boone enjoyed reading about his heritage and thinking about his ancestor’s role in history. Boone invites Roosevelt to North Carolina the next time he wants to shoot a bear, and will also ask his friend Senator Alexander Stephens Clay to introduce them the next time Boone is in town.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-02-14
S. B. M. Young hopes to present his soon-to-be wife to President Roosevelt sometime in 1908 and thinks the appointment at West Point would be a perfect trip for a bride. Though he would welcome the appointment, if there is another who Roosevelt would honor this year, he can wait until 1909. He is currently busy handling coyotes, and he enjoys the climate as well as the work.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-12-30
Senator Lodge responds to statements made by Charles Francis Adams and discusses the advancement of societies that have been under or are currently under the possession of the United States. Lodge agrees with Adams about the important role white societies have in helping non-white societies “advance.” Lodge disagrees, however, with Adams’s assessment of Secretary of War William H. Taft, who Lodge says has not at all exploited the Philippines, but actually devoted many years of his life to help “elevate” the people of the Philippines. Lodge ends by commenting that the administration has also been trying to “take charge” of the Dominican Republic to help them pay their debts.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-05-01
Secretary of War Taft defends American rule in the Philippines. He states that the islands will be held for the benefit of the Filipinos but that this situation can also be economically beneficial to the United States.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-04-21
Allan Campbell Bakewell has read the draft of resolutions and he offers suggestions on them and the impact the resolutions will have on the Grand Army of the Republic.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-08-06
Justice McDonough reflects on his first three months in the Philippines. He tells President Roosevelt of his surprise at the “remarkable progress” there and remarks how much the natives like Governor William H. Taft. In general, McDonough finds the Filipinos to be hard workers, and a “happy, clean, sober, virtuous, family-loving and religious people.” He also shares his thoughts on the Catholic friars in the Philippines. As much as they are criticized, McDonough praises the “great good” they have achieved in religion and education over the last three centuries and sees them as potential allies in assuring Filipino cooperation with the American government. Still, the friars’ land ownership is widely resented by the Filipino people, who McDonough feels would look more favorably on the friars’ work if these lands were acquired by the government. Presently, the friars complain of discrimination at the hands of barrio officials who even prevent them from ministering to those who have requested it. McDonough will do what he can to ensure that clergymen of every denomination are given equal protection under the law and to bring about an “amicable settlement” in the land matter, even if that means paying more than the land is worth.
Governor Taft is opposed to allowing Mabini to return to the Philippines unless he takes an oath to be loyal to the government and acknowledges the sovereignty of the United States.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-01-12
Governor Taft reviews a variety of Philippine issues; including the friars controversy, the public school system, reforming the civil administration, and the military situation of the islands. Generally, he believes that the condition of the Philippines is good and likely to get better.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-09-13
Assistant Secretary of War Sanger encloses a letter from Emilio Aguinaldo and its English translation.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-08-26
Governor General of the Philippines Wright, subsequent to a meeting with Emilio Aguinaldo, discusses a variety of recent issues and occurrences in the Philippines.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-07-20
Secretary of War Root writes to Governor General of the Philippines Taft, who is in Rome. Root acknowledges the Vatican’s willingness to withdraw the friars currently in the Islands and replace them with religious of other nationalities who will be devoted to spiritual ministry and will refrain from involvement in matters pertaining to civil authority. This voluntary withdrawal is a good outcome, and Root thanks Taft for helping to bring it about. He also discusses the timing and terms of the sale of the lands owned by the friars, as well as the payment of rent or damages related to properties that have been occupied by American troops.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-07-14
Murat Halstead has strong feelings against providing Filipinos with greater independence. Compared to Cubans, he believes that Filipinos are too divided by language, culture, and religious beliefs.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-05-30
Secretary of War Root believes that the military and civil affairs of the Philippines have been “able and successful.” American sovereignty is being accepted and many former Filipino rebels have accepted positions in the civil government. Root sees no benefit to bringing Cuban or Puerto Rican delegations to the Philippines or bringing a delegation of Filipinos to the United States.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-03-05
Winslow Warren describes the current policy in the Philippines as “un-American” and believes that the fighting would end if it was made clear that the United States desires the independence of the Philippines. Warren also cautions against trying to “Americanize” the Filipinos.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-02-25
William R. Stewart has withdrawn his name from a petition urging President Roosevelt to allow Emilio Aguinaldo entrance to the United States. Stewart explains that he signed the petition on the request of a common friend, Josephine Shaw Lowell, but has since changed his mind.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1901-12-31
Bishop Potter denies signing a position that supports allowing Emilio Aguinaldo to travel to the United States and speak on behalf of Filipinos.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1901-12-31