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American Occupation of Cuba (1906-1909)

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Letter from Henry White to Theodore Roosevelt

Letter from Henry White to Theodore Roosevelt

Henry White received President Roosevelt’s letter but has waited until reaching Rome to answer it. White’s views on disarmament were sent in a confidential letter through the British Embassy’s dispatch bag. He has omitted any reference to Roosevelt’s observations about the German emperor although he has borrowed some of Roosevelt’s phraseology. White writes that Roosevelt’s action in Cuba was met with “universal admiration.” White saw the Chilean minister yesterday who said that Elihu Root’s visit there brought great comfort and was epoch making. Other topics in the letter include the German and Jesuit influence in the Vatican and the reputation of the emperor as an influencer, and White’s visit with the King of Italy and their discussion of new literacy-based immigration laws.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-09-20

Creator(s)

White, Henry, 1850-1927

Letter from William H. Taft to Theodore Roosevelt

Letter from William H. Taft to Theodore Roosevelt

After speaking with Frank S. Cairns and Eugene Frederick Ladd, Secretary of War Taft believes the Cuban government under President Tomás Estrada Palma cannot continue. A small number of rurales and militia are spread around the island, with artillerymen and a few thousand municipal police concentrated in Havana. Insurgents are surrounding the city and also areas of Santa Clara, slowed by the arrival of United States troops on the Denver. Estrada Palma lacks support and is unprepared, and his office under Fernando Andrade is linked to abuses of power and election fraud. Without public support, Assistant Secretary of State Robert Bacon and Taft cannot recommend supporting Estrada Palma, yet insurgents still need to be driven out to protect the Cuban government and its people. A meeting will be held today with liberal leader Alfredo Zayas y Alfonso as well as insurgent leaders. Forcible intervention on the part of the United States cannot be avoided and Roosevelt’s approval is sought to move forward.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-09-21

Creator(s)

Taft, William H. (William Howard), 1857-1930

Telegram from William H. Taft to Theodore Roosevelt

Telegram from William H. Taft to Theodore Roosevelt

The moderates in Cuba will submit to any plan Secretary of War Taft and Assistant Secretary of State Bacon draft, on the condition that rebels lay down their arms and disperse. Despite differing opinions, Taft is arranging a meeting with insurgent groups and is hopeful. Liberal party leader Alfredo Zayas y Alfonso is also willing to work on a compromise. American ships Newark and Minneapolis have arrived. Bacon now thinks President Estrada Palma should remain for continuity, although others believe his weakness will only cause further disharmony. Taft agrees with Bacon.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-09-22

Creator(s)

Taft, William H. (William Howard), 1857-1930

Letter from William H. Taft to Theodore Roosevelt

Letter from William H. Taft to Theodore Roosevelt

Secretary of War Taft is doubtful about keeping Tomás Estrada Palma in the presidency. Estrada Palma is honest and well-liked by property holders and conservatives. Assistant Secretary of State Bacon believes Estrada Palma should stay for continuity of the government that the United States created four years prior. Taft agrees with Bacon only because there is no suitable Liberal presidential candidate. Removing those House and Senate officials who were elected by fraud would impress upon people the importance of fair elections and stamping out abuses of power. Taft wants the insurgents to lay down their arms and is meeting with their generals today but is doubtful, since some insurgents prefer conflict as they are “lawless persons of no particular standing in times of peace.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-09-22

Creator(s)

Taft, William H. (William Howard), 1857-1930

Letter from Charles William Eliot to Theodore Roosevelt

Letter from Charles William Eliot to Theodore Roosevelt

Harvard President Eliot assures President Roosevelt that sending Secretary of War William H. Taft and Assistant Secretary of State Robert Bacon to Cuba is the “best thing you can do.” Eliot believes there could be Americans lending money to the Cuban rebels. He agrees with Roosevelt that Cuba will need a strong military force to control further uprisings.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-09-17

Creator(s)

Eliot, Charles William, 1834-1926

Letter from William H. Taft to Theodore Roosevelt

Letter from William H. Taft to Theodore Roosevelt

Secretary of War Taft is sure his itinerary will allow him to go to Idaho as President Roosevelt wishes. He would arrive in late October after he finishes his speeches in Colorado. As for his current trip to Cuba, he thinks it should be shortened because Roosevelt’s letter to Cuban Representative Carlos Manuel de Cespedes y Quesada should have an immediate effect on the situation in Havana. Taft compares it to the way Benjamin Harrison dealt with the incident with the USS Baltimore in Chile, how it almost ended up in war, and how it was like the tale of the men running from the rain to the barn. Taft does not feel the same way; the quicker it is dealt with, the better.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-09-17

Creator(s)

Taft, William H. (William Howard), 1857-1930

Telegram from Alvey A. Adee to Theodore Roosevelt

Telegram from Alvey A. Adee to Theodore Roosevelt

Acting Secretary of State Adee informs President Roosevelt that chargé d’affaires Jacob Sleeper received a letter from General Enrique Loynaz del Castillo that states he is willing to suspend hostilities provided that the United States does the same. Castillo asks for new elections as a basis for settling the conflict. Adee replied to Sleeper, telling him to let Castillo know that Sleeper has no authority to negotiate with anyone other than the government that is in power.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-09-18

Creator(s)

Adee, Alvey A. (Alvey Augustus), 1842-1924