American Occupation of Cuba (1906-1909)

Presidential snapshot (#17): Excerpt of a letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Robert Bacon

President Roosevelt conveys to Assistant Secretary of State Bacon his feeling that the United States will have to intervene in Cuba if the the revolution there is not quelled by the Cuban government. Roosevelt remarks on the incompetence of some American diplomatic officials, and he thinks that the Cuban government needs to be warned that its inaction risks American intervention. 

Collection

Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal

Creation Date

1906-09-10

Telegram from Charles J. Bonaparte to Theodore Roosevelt

Secretary of the Navy Bonaparte informs President Roosevelt that USS Dixie arrived at Cienfuegos, Cuba. Commander William F. Fullman of USS Marietta did not report any disturbances in the area.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-09-18

Telegram from Charles J. Bonaparte to Theodore Roosevelt

Secretary of the Navy Bonaparte telegraphs President Roosevelt to assure him that his department has been working closely with the State Department since the Cuban complications arose, and will continue to do so. Bonaparte is writing in greater detail by letter.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-09-18

Letter from William H. Taft to Theodore Roosevelt

Secretary of War Taft updates President Roosevelt on the political situation in Cuba, which may necessitate intervention by the United States. Taft has been in communication with Cuban Secretary Rafael Montalvo. Taft includes the text of a telegram from President Roosevelt to Cuban President Tomás Estrada Palma, as modified by Taft, and Estrada Palma’s response, insisting that he cannot remain at the head of the government on the foundation proposed by Taft and Roosevelt.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-09-26

Letter from Maurice Latta to Theodore Roosevelt

Maurice Latta informs President Roosevelt that the congress will not select a successor to Cuban President Tomás Estrada Palma. At the upcoming meeting, Palma will present a letter stating his position on the situation in Cuba.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-09-28

Letter from William H. Taft to Theodore Roosevelt

In a series of telegrams, Secretary of War Taft updates President Roosevelt on the political situation in Cuba and the attempts to elect new government officials.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-09-28

Telegram from William H. Taft to Theodore Roosevelt

Secretary of War Taft updates President Roosevelt on the political situation in Cuba and the attempts to elect new government officials.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-09-28

Telegram from William H. Taft to Theodore Roosevelt

Secretary of War Taft sends President Roosevelt a preliminary proclamation in the event a provisional government is established in Cuba.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-09-28

Telegram from William H. Taft to Theodore Roosevelt

Secretary of War Taft updates President Roosevelt on the attempts to elect new Cuban government officials. He provides the text of the letter that President Tomás Estrada Palma will send. Taft has ordered marines to guard the treasury. If a provisional government is established, Taft suggests including a statement regarding the Cuban flag.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-09-28

Telegram from William H. Taft to Theodore Roosevelt

Secretary of War Taft asks President Roosevelt if the naval forces at Cienfuegos and other Cuban ports can be under his order.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-09-28

Telegram from William H. Taft to Theodore Roosevelt

Secretary of War Taft requests President Roosevelt sends six thousand troops to Cuba. Although hopeful “all difficulties can be composed,” he thinks it wise to have that many troops.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-09-29

Telegram from William H. Taft to Theodore Roosevelt

Secretary of War Taft shares his plans regarding Cuba. He suggests President Roosevelt appoint Beekman Winthrop as provisional governor given his previous experience in Puerto Rico.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-09-29

Telegram from William H. Taft to Theodore Roosevelt

Secretary of War Taft informs President Roosevelt that efforts to elect Mario Garcí Menocal or Alfredo Zayas y Alfonso failed. Taft had the treasury surrounded by marines and will issue the proclamation.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-09-29

Letter from Alvey A. Adee to Theodore Roosevelt

Acting Secretary of State Adee sends President Roosevelt a dispatch from Chargé d’affaires Jacob Sleeper reporting on the political situation in Cuba.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-09-14

Telegram from Jacob Sleeper to William Loeb

Chargé d’affaires Sleeper sends William Loeb a copy of his telegram to Secretary of State Elihu Root. Root instructed Sleeper “under no circumstance” land an armed force. Sleeper informs Root that he immediately requested that Commander John C. Colwell withdraw his landed force.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-09-14

Telegram from Jacob Sleeper to William Loeb

Chargé d’affaires Sleeper updates Secretary of State Root on the situation in Cuba which is “growing more critical hourly.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-09-14

Telegram from Jacob Sleeper to William Loeb

Chargé d’affaires Sleeper sends William Loeb a copy of his telegram to Secretary of State Elihu Root. Sleeper reports there was no guard at the legation. He will request one if the situation becomes critical.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-09-14

Telegram from Frank Maximillian Steinhart to William Loeb

Addressing Secretary of State Elihu Root, Consul General Steinhart relays recent leadership changes in the Cuban government. President Tomás Estrada Palma intends to resign, as do the Cabinet members. Vice President Domingo Méndez Capote will not accept the office. The consequential absence of legal power and prevailing anarchy will continue unless American intervention adopts necessary measures. This information is confidential until President Roosevelt acts. The disembarkation and subsequent return of the landing forces complicates matters for Palma.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-09-14

Telegram from Jacob Sleeper to William Loeb

Chargé d’affaires Sleeper informs Secretary of State Root of recent encounters between government and rebel forces in Cuba. Hope and the possibility of peace have followed President Roosevelt’s recently published letter regarding American intervention.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-09-15

Letter from Arturo Pedro y Almeida to Theodore Roosevelt

Arturo Pedro y Almeida sincerely thanks President Roosevelt for his fair and generous treatment of Cuba, which has reaffirmed Almeida’s “unbounded admiration and respect.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-09-15