Bell, James Franklin, 1856-1919

Letter from William H. Taft to Theodore Roosevelt

Provisional Governor Taft updates President Roosevelt on the progress of disarmament in Cuba. Frederick Funston is not as effective in managing the details of disarmament as Taft had hoped. Taft does not want to avoid responsibility for some of the mistakes, but feels that Funston lacks capacity as an executive. There is also some delay in dismissing the militia because of corruption. Secretary of State Elihu Root’s publication of the correspondence between the United States Government and former Cuban President Tomás Estrada Palma has caused surprise among the Moderate Party in Cuba.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-10-06

Telegram from William H. Taft to Theodore Roosevelt

In a confidential telegram to President Roosevelt, Secretary of War Taft expresses his concern that General Frederick Funston is not the right commander for the job in Cuba. The Cuban rebels do not respond to Funston. They need a more diplomatic leader like General James Franklin Bell.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-10-03

Letter from William H. Taft to Theodore Roosevelt

Secretary of War Taft updates President Roosevelt on a number of matters concerning the American occupation of Cuba, the establishment of the Cuban provisional government, and disarmament of the insurgents. Taft reports that disarmament is going smoothly, and that in “four or five days,” the insurgents will have complied with the orders. The United States have created a provisional government. Taft believes that Cuban President Tomás Estrada Palma is a good man and one of “two or three men in politics in Cuba who is absolutely honest,” but notes that Estrada Palma is not politically talented. Taft also addresses problems that American liberals and moderates have with the compromise that has been set up in Cuba, and offers justifications against a government investigation. Taft notes that it will not be possible to hold a free and fair election until June. He is frustrated that the Associated Press quoted him regarding matters in Cuba without his permission. Taft encloses a speech he gave at the university that offers justification for the Americans’ presence in Cuba. Taft also offers justifications for American intervention in Cuba and discusses the merits of maintaining a provisional government via the Platt Amendment.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-10-03

Telegram from William H. Taft to Theodore Roosevelt

Secretary of War Taft writes to President Roosevelt that there are enough troops to warrant having two Generals in Cuba during the United States’ occupation there, although James Franklin Bell would outrank Frederick Funston.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-10-03

Telegram from William H. Taft to Theodore Roosevelt

Secretary of War Taft says the command in Havana, Cuba, will be large enough for two generals. James Franklin Bell would rank Frederick Funston, and this would work out right.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-10-03

Letter from William H. Taft to Theodore Roosevelt

Secretary of War Taft is preparing to board a train to travel to Havana and he is sending President Roosevelt several legal opinions regarding his options in issuing an executive order to establish a military government in Cuba. Taft reports that Roosevelt’s letter to Cuban Representative Carlos Manuel de Cespedes y Quesada polled strongly with the Cubans and Robert Bacon is carrying a copy of the president’s proclamation to arm the Cuban insurgents, though Taft thinks they should hold off in announcing it. Meanwhile, Joseph Bucklin Bishop is taking charge at the Isthmus and working on the president’s visit to the canal site. Taft admits he is not completely clear on the situation in Cuba but he knows who he is dealing with and every event will be met promptly. If they have to send in the army, he suggests putting Douglas MacArthur in charge and that he start recalling other staff officers. He knows this goes against the conventional thinking that MacArthur should serve as Chief of Staff to General James Franklin Bell, but this suggestion is only made against a remote possibility.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-09-16

Telegram from Fred C. Ainsworth to William Loeb

General James Franklin Bell needs to meet with President Roosevelt concerning Fort Brown after the Brownsville raid. Acting Secretary of War Ainsworth inquires whether Bell could meet with Roosevelt tomorrow.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-08-22

Letter from William H. Taft to Theodore Roosevelt

Secretary of War Taft acknowledges receipt of the letter from President Roosevelt and regrets that the department has been remiss in the examination of salaried employees. He has prepared a preliminary examination for salaried people, and has asked the opinion of a judge. Once he receives a reply he will contact Roosevelt again.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-08-02

Letter from W. R. Livermore to Henry Cabot Lodge

Colonel Livermore asks Senator Lodge to help him secure a recently vacated brigadier general position as he would like to work at the Army War College. If this is not possible Livermore would like to be retired as a brigadier general, which he feels is appropriate considering his military record. Many in his 1866 class at West Point were not afforded the same promotions as those that came after them and have already retired.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-05-08

Authority for top notches

A series of short letters sent to Daniel Carter Beard about kinds of merit badges, called “Top Notches,” that could be offered to Beard’s Sons of Daniel Boone which, in 1909, became the Boy Pioneers of America. The organization later merged with the nascent Boy Scouts of America. One of the short letters is from Theodore Roosevelt with suggestions for actions that merit “Top Notches.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-04-09

Letter from William H. Taft to Theodore Roosevelt

Secretary of War Taft informs President Roosevelt that he has changed his mind about writing a speech on the Brownsville affair. He will write a draft and send it to his campaign manager, Arthur I. Vorys, and Roosevelt to get their opinion. Taft describes his opinion of James Buchanan Aleshire’s fitness for Quartermaster General. Taft encloses letters on William Edgar Borah and Albert Baird Cummins. He relays discussions on the appointment of the Postmaster in New York.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-07-07

Letter from William H. Taft to Theodore Roosevelt

Secretary of War Taft informs President Roosevelt that he spoke to the bureau heads and Generals James Franklin Bell and Fred C. Ainsworth upon his return. He details the plans devised by the Army General Staff for three expeditions to Cuba. If military intervention is warranted, Taft favors “going with as much force as we can command, …to end the business at once.” He suggests Roosevelt inquire of Attorney General William H. Moody if they have the right to intervene in Cuba without asking permission of Congress.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-09-15

The parade of the pigmies

Print shows Uncle Sam and Columbia observing from a viewing stand on the right and a group of American military officers observing from a viewing stand on the left, a small group of elderly men parading with a banner showing a portrait of Emilio Aguinaldo labeled “Aguinaldo Our Hero.”

Collection

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

Creation Date

1899-11-22

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Oswald Garrison Villard

Responding to Oswald Garrison Villard’s letter concerning the promotion of General Leonard Wood, President Roosevelt explains how he and Secretary of War Elihu Root make decisions about promoting men in the Army, arguing that promotions should not be based on seniority alone. To illustrate his point, Roosevelt discusses his plans for the two vacant brigadier general positions.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1903-07-17

Army promotions

General James Franklin Bell and General William Crozier are the most likely officers to be named Chief of Staff and promoted to major general.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-12-30

Letter from Henry Clark Corbin to William Loeb

In accord with President Roosevelt’s request, General Bell and Captain Slocum have been ordered to Washington, D.C. Captain Reichmann recently arrived in the Philippines and will not be required to return as the order was withdrawn.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-10-09

Letter from Gifford Pinchot to Theodore Roosevelt

Gifford Pinchot sends his first impressions of the Philippines and information about his journey across Russia and Manchuria. Governor Taft is in excellent health and everyone speaks highly of him.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-10-27

Letter from Henry Clark Corbin to George B. Cortelyou

At the request of Secretary of War Elihu Root, Adjutant General of the Army Henry Clark Corbin encloses letters from General Adna Romanza Chaffee and General J. Franklin Bell, which Root and Corbin believe President Roosevelt will enjoy reading. Corbin asks that the letters be returned.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-05-07

Letter from Adna Romanza Chaffee to Henry Clark Corbin

General Chaffee requests that General Bell’s new assignment be postponed for one year. Chaffee thinks highly of Bell and would like him to remain at his position in the Philippines.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-03-22

Letter from Adna Romanza Chaffee to Theodore Roosevelt

General Chaffee thanks President Roosevelt for bestowing a “principal appointment” to the United States Military Academy on his son, Adna Romanza Chaffee, Jr. He also sends a brief update on the Philippine Insurrection.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-02-25