Your TR Source
President Roosevelt agrees with Secretary of War Taft on identification of horse ownership and congratulates Taft on how he is handling relations in Cuba, but wishes him back soon.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-10-07
President Roosevelt has arranged for Governor of Moro Province Wood, a general staff officer, and an aide to attend the upcoming military maneuvers in Honan, Philippines. He is glad Wood is willing to have General Frank Ross McCoy. Roosevelt is unsure how the trouble in Cuba will turn out.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-09-24
President Roosevelt directs Acting Secretary of War Ainsworth to commission the transport ship Sumner. Ainsworth is not to charter other transports until ordered.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-09-25
President Roosevelt finds “quiet but deep satisfaction” in the Samuel Gompers and Sydney Emanuel Mudd affair. He updates Secretary of the Navy Bonaparte on Clarence C. Pusey taking office and gives guidance on handling Mary Tayloe Key. In a postscript, Roosevelt comments on the situation in Cuba and discusses presenting a naval medal of honor.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-09-25
President Roosevelt will carefully consider Senator Foraker’s communication. Concerning Cuba, he will act “only as I feel compelled…in accordance with my oath of office for the protection of the persons and property of the United States.” He clarifies there is no intention to act against the established government of Cuba.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-09-26
On behalf of President Roosevelt, Latta Maurice sends Lyman Abbott a letter for Harold Howland to the American representatives in Cuba.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-09-27
President Roosevelt introduces Harold Howland of the Outlook to the American representatives in Cuba. He requests Howland have access to information, except for intel sensitive to the military.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-09-27
President Roosevelt thinks Ramon Guitéras’s suggestion would be best for Cuba. However, neither Cuba nor the United States will assent to it.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-09-27
President Roosevelt discusses his thoughts about the situation in Cuba with Senator Foraker.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-09-28
President Roosevelt informs Senator Hale he will take up the matter regarding Collector of the Port George A. Curran but will wait on the St. John issue until he sees Secretary of State Elihu Root and Hale. He is disheartened by the Maine election and the implications of William Randolph Hearst’s nomination for governor of New York. The situation in Cuba continues to be a struggle.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-09-28
President Roosevelt relays to General Dodge his stance on the recent actions taken by Secretary of War William H. Taft during his visit to Cuba. Roosevelt states he did not send Taft to Cuba until Cuban President Tomás Estrada Palma’s choice to resign was clear. Although Sir William Cornelius Van Horne and Mr. Menduley believe military control of Cuba is possible, Van Horne also states that “the Island is perfectly adapted to guerrilla warfare and…ten men to one would be required to suppress the insurrection and a great many lives would be lost doing it.” Roosevelt agrees that the cost of life is too great for the United States to hold Cuba by military force. Influential members of the Foreign Affairs Committee, Senator Joseph Benson Foraker, Senator Eugene Hale, and Senator Henry Cabot Lodge also believe in resisting more conflict and believe it is in best interest to “let the Cubans govern themselves.” However, Roosevelt believes the possibility of continued unrest in Cuba could sway public opinion and bring congressional support for future intervention from the United States.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-10-01
President Roosevelt thanks Senator Lodge for the letter informing him and his wife about their son, Ted, who does not write home often enough. Roosevelt wrote to Ted an “earnest and truthful” letter about his “folly.” Roosevelt also informs Lodge of the meeting in Cuba between Secretary of War William H. Taft, First Assistant Secretary of State Robert Bacon, and Cuban President Tomas Estrada Palma. The temporary agreement for a provisional government with military support from the United States will help secure peace while Cuba begins self-government. Roosevelt hopes this will secure Cuba’s liberty, and any future policy will be in the “permanent interests of both Cuba and the United States.” Roosevelt also has acted to “prevent hurt” to the Republican nominees in the upcoming state elections, particularly in New York, and New York City. Wealthy business men, like William Randolph Hearst, and “Bourbon reactionaries” are running for office to gain political power, not for the “have-nots,” but to deflect regulations on their wealth. Roosevelt believes Charles Evans Hughes is the right man to run against Hearst for governor, as he will enact progressive reforms with a fair mind.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-10-01
President Roosevelt thanks Congressman Madden for his letter expressing support for Roosevelt’s efforts in Cuba.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-10-02
Reaffirming his good feelings for Minister Gonzalo de Quesada and Cuba, President Roosevelt warns that Cuban independence is in jeopardy. He admonishes Cuban patriots come together to ensure liberty. As per treaty, the United States has the right to intervene “for the maintenance in Cuba of a government adequate for the protection of life, property and individual liberty.” Roosevelt is sending Secretary of War William H. Taft and Acting Secretary of State Robert Bacon as representatives to render aid.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-09-14
President Roosevelt found Secretary of the Navy Bonaparte’s letter recounting his experience in Santo Domingo “a ray of sunshine.” He agrees the Navy should be told to act on Secretary of War William H. Taft’s orders. Roosevelt advises Bonaparte enjoys his holiday knowing Taft is now responsible for Cuba.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-09-19
President Roosevelt informs President of Harvard University Eliot he is speaking at the fiftieth anniversary of the Michigan State Agricultural College on May 31. Before taking stronger action in Cuba, he will do everything in his power to facilitate a peaceful agreement. He will contact Secretary of War William H. Taft about Americans financing revolutionists.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-09-20
President Roosevelt updates President of Harvard Eliot on Secretary of War William H. Taft’s investigation into American agitators’ influence in the Cuban conflict. He discusses the “curious” opinion of having General Leonard Wood take control in Cuba given the previous backlash against him, even though Roosevelt considers him one of the “best officers we now have.” While Cuba is his immediate concern in foreign affairs, Roosevelt discusses the issues concerning the Hague and the Panama Canal.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-09-22
President Roosevelt forwards Acting Secretary of the Navy Newberry a message from Secretary of War William H. Taft. Out of precaution, Taft and Acting Secretary of State Robert Bacon recommend sending more vessels and personnel to Cuba. Roosevelt directs Newberry to send as many vessels and marines as possible.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-09-24
President Roosevelt is impressed by Acting Secretary of State Bacon’s suggestion about Secretary of State Elihu Root and regrets being unable to talk to Root before his departure to Cuba. During Bacon’s upcoming visit, Roosevelt wants to consider the benefit of sending a formal letter to Cuba regarding American intervention. He directs Bacon to work with American Consul General Maximilian Steinhart, as he finds Chargé d’affaires Jacob Sleeper and Minister to Cuba Edwin V. Morgan lacking in their diplomatic posts.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-09-10
President Roosevelt informs Acting Secretary of State Bacon of the serious nature of the letter and will want Bacon’s frank judgment if he decides to send it. He directs Bacon to announce that the ships have gone to protect American interests, and as such, there must be no outrages on American property or persons.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-09-11