Your TR Source
President Roosevelt shares editor of the Churchman Silas McBee’s interest in and puzzlement over the sermon of Bishop Charles Henry Brent of the Philippines, which he analytically criticizes.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-08-27
President Roosevelt agrees with Secretary of War Taft and has removed the reference to receivership from his speech. The “Philippine question” is the only point on which he remains uneasy. He details his thoughts and concerns about the United States’ continued relationship with the islands, including their strategic importance in the event of a conflict with Japan and the issue of granting autonomy.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-08-21
This article discusses statements from members of the Honorary Board of Philippine Commissioners in favor of independence for the Philippines.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-06
Columbia [the symbol of the United States] stands on the seashore with a small child who is wearing a hat labeled “Cuba.” Columbia has dropped a ribbon labeled “U.S. Protectorate” that is wrapped around the young girl’s waist, enabling her to walk without assistance.
Four years after the treaty that ended the Spanish-American War, on May 20, 1902, Cuba “seceded” from the United States and declared itself a republic. It did not gain complete freedom from the United States, however. In its constitution were provisions that granted the United States the right to intervene in certain internal affairs; and have a role in its foreign relations and economic affairs. Eventually, under the Platt Amendment, the United States was granted a lease for a military base at Guantanamo Bay. American concessions were guaranteed percentages of United States sugar imports; guarantees that increased through the years. Only in 1934 did Cuba gain a fuller measure of political and diplomatic freedom.
Uncle Sam talks to a young boy labeled “Cuba” who is making a capitol building labeled “Cuban Independence” in the sand on a beach. Caption: Uncle Sam. — That’s right, my boy! Go ahead! But, remember, I’ll always keep a Father’s eye on you!
The subtext of this cartoon is the interesting situation that the United States created for itself with new possessions won in the Spanish-American War. The new lands required different policies: eventual independence for the Philippines; protectorate status for Pacific islands; territorial status for Puerto Rico; relatively early independence for Cuba, but not before several decades of a strong “observer” hand over its affairs. Such a prospect explains Uncle Sam’s avuncular attitude… and little Cuba’s resentment.
President Roosevelt will see if he can appoint “young Cronin.” Roosevelt agrees with Daniel Edgar Sickles that it would be unwise to commit to Philippine independence.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-08-30
President Roosevelt will avoid using Cuba as an example when speaking about the Philippines. He believes that Christian Filipinos will eventually “show themselves fit” to be given a form of self-government like Cuba, but it may take a number of years.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-08-26
President Roosevelt tells Secretary of War Taft that it is nonsense for the army officers to complain about hot weather. He also thinks Taft is right about Ernest Stecker going out at once if he has accepted the Philippine Scouts commission, and Secretary Taft should handle the Philippines bulletin as he sees fit. In a postscript, Roosevelt asks Taft to look up the application of Jacob Gould Schurman and to see if he can put Arthur Harrison Wilson in the cavalry.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-08-25
President Roosevelt shares a humorous incident from the campaign with Governor Wood; a rumor that Roosevelt was not at the battle of San Juan. Roosevelt thinks he has good chance in the election. The Democratic platform calls for the immediate independence of the Philippines, but Alton B. Parker has been non-committal on that subject.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-08-22
President Roosevelt is grateful for Edwin R. A. Seligman’s letter about Philippine independence and will use the idea in his acceptance letter.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-08-15
President Roosevelt will not promise Josephine Shaw Lowell more than he already has and believes the Democrats are “utterly insincere” in promising independence to the Filipinos. Roosevelt compares the Christian Filipinos to the Islamic Moros and worries that freedom for one group would disrupt peace. Roosevelt also discusses the absurdity of the Democrats calling themselves a reform party under Thomas Taggart, Chairman of the Democratic National Committee. He is also upset about Carl Schurz’s support of Alton B. Parker in the election because it is the party of John Sharp Williams, Minority Leader of the United States House of Representatives, who presides over a district whose majority is comprised of people of color but which is governed by white men.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-08-01
President Roosevelt shares his views with Harvard President Charles William Eliot regarding the role of the United States in developing a Filipino government.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-06-20
President Roosevelt sends his congratulations to President Estrada Palma and the people of Cuba on the one year anniversary of Cuban independence.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-05-20
Fitzhugh Lee received Theodore Roosevelt’s letter when he was thinking of how much he missed him, especially as it was Roosevelt’s birthday. He discusses the “bad luck about the Constabulary business” in Manila, Philippines. The “hum-drum” of garrison life is tiring, and Lee wants to get his troops out. He appreciates Roosevelt wanting him in the next “outfit” he organizes and hopes it will happen. Several French regiments have outstanding offers for him to join in case of conflict with Germany. Lee wishes Roosevelt could visit Manila to see the infrastructural improvements. The country is unsettled as the people think a Democratic president would grant self-rule.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-10-27
President Roosevelt was pleased to nominate Rafael Palma as commissioner. He believes Filipino independence will occur when the people show their fitness to exercise it. The best demonstration of this will be the conduct of their legislature and members on the Philippines Commission.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-08-24
Silas Comfort Swallow is distressed by the lynching of African Americans by a mob in Georgia. Swallow criticizes the spirit of lawlessness, claiming the United States practiced such in the overthrow of self-governance in the Philippines and in her approval of English rule in South Africa. He believes that lawlessness is caused by “the spirit of brute force that has been engendered and encouraged by men in high position” and the consumption of alcohol. He accuses Roosevelt of promoting alcohol consumption. Since the government is involved in the manufacture and sale of alcohol, Swallow urges President Roosevelt to overthrow this partnership.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-08-18
Luke E. Wright responds to the allegations of Bishop Rooker about the violation of rights of the Catholic Church in the Philippines. Rooker claims that the Federal Party is at the root of the Aglipayan movement and that Governor Taft and his colleagues are “merely puppets in the hands of the Federal Party,” with the result that “a large amount of church property has been seized and is now withheld.” Wright disputes these allegations by explaining the origin of the Federal Party and analyzing the relations between different religious and political groups in the Philippines. Wright notes that the continued discussion about independence has made the situation in the Philippines more difficult.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-08-15
Edwin R. A. Seligman congratulates President Roosevelt on his nomination. Seligman believes that Roosevelt’s actions during the revolution in Panama were justified and wise. Although he signed a petition supporting the independence of the Philippines, Seligman is mainly concerned with avoiding exploitation.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-08-11
Josephine Shaw Lowell thanks President Roosevelt for what he said about the Philippines. She argues that last winter proved neither Roosevelt nor Secretary of War Taft could “persuade Congress to give the necessary attention to Philippine affairs” and encourages the establishment of self-government by the Filipinos with the help of Americans.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-07-30
Governor Odell wrote to President Roosevelt that he would be unable to meet with Roosevelt as planned. Odell stated that he will be in charge in New York state “absolutely and be permitted to pass judgment on everything until it is decided upon.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-05-21