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President Roosevelt has spoken with Assistant Secretary of the Navy Frank Warren Hackett and Rear Admiral A. S. Crowinshield, and informs Secretary of War Root that the Dolphin will be at his disposal. Roosevelt suggests Root examine the coastal fortifications, although he makes clear that he is suggesting this in order to give Root a vacation away from work.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1901-09-28
Brigadier General Murray contests several statements made by Mr. Archibald regarding the incompleteness of the fixed defenses of the Pacific Coast harbors. Murray assures Chief of Staff Bell that the mines used in the coastal defense system are controlled from shore and are harmless to friendly vessels. Murray also notes that submarines are promising war vessels but they have not yet proven to be valuable and, therefore, Mr. Archibald’s suggestion to adopt submarines for the defenses of the harbors is “preposterous.” Murray does believe, however, that submarines possess decided merit for uses supplemental to fixed defenses in harbors where mines cannot be used.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-01
Corps of Engineers Lieutenant Colonel Leach summarizes James F. J. Archibald’s letter to President Roosevelt regarding the weak defense of the Hawaiian Islands. In general, the Pacific Ocean is very poorly defended and should be considered a vulnerability. Leach discuses the logistics of introducing submarine weapons into naval defenses and previous attempts to acquire such weapons. While Leach concedes that Hawaii is lacking in defense, he strongly disagrees with the position that the Pacific Ocean is vulnerable and proves this by listing the local forts and their weaponized capacity.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-01-21
The bill is in conference and under Senate rules, Chairman Philander C. Knox could not propose an amendment for the appropriation to provide for target practice. The only way to have the appropriation restored is through the conferees.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-02-02
President Roosevelt believes that the enclosures from German ambassador Hermann Speck von Sternburg prove that the United States would be unwise to not to make preparations for a potential war in the Pacific with Japan. The documents, which he is sending to Secretary of State Root, show that Japan believes it could gain naval supremacy in the event of war.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-04-17
President Roosevelt tells United States Representative Lilley that James F. J. Archibald was not appointed or employed by the administration, but rather contacted Roosevelt and said that he was going to conduct an independent investigation of submarine defense on the Pacific Coast of the United States, looking particularly at Puget Sound. Roosevelt told him that he would be glad to receive such a report from anyone who investigated the subject. When Roosevelt received Archibald’s letter on the topic, he forwarded it to Secretary of the Navy Victor Howard Metcalf, as he does with other similar letters.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-03-18
President Roosevelt directs the President of the Joint Army and Navy Board that he would like action regarding the fortification of Honolulu and Pearl Harbor, with the aim of establishing a naval base there.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-03-03
President Roosevelt writes to General James Franklin Bell regarding the fortification of Hawaii. Representative Walter Inglewood Smith has told Roosevelt that the government had purchased two parcels of land in Hawaii that are currently unused, and says that if this is true, it emphasizes his point that the War Department and Navy Department must carefully consider their requests if they want Congress to pay attention to them. Roosevelt instructs that there must be a clear plan for what must be done with regards to military fortifications in Hawaii.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-03-02
President Roosevelt tells Speaker of the House Cannon that it is not possible or wise for him to put everything that he feels on paper. Roosevelt nevertheless says that he is not acting with an eye to an emergency that may occur in the next couple years, but rather one that may arise in the next decade or two. He believes that the current legislative session should do everything possible to fortify Hawaii and provide for the construction of four battleships.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-02-29
President Roosevelt provides Vice President Fairbanks with details explaining why it is urgent that Congress act quickly to appropriate funding for coastal defenses of several areas in and around the Pacific. Roosevelt explains both the current situation of defenses in Manila Bay, Pearl Harbor, and the Pacific Coast of the United States, as well as the plans that are currently in place to improve these defenses. He asks Fairbanks to try to expedite the process of providing funding for these purposes.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-02-21
President Roosevelt provides Speaker of the House Cannon with details explaining why it is urgent that Congress act quickly to appropriate funding for coastal defenses of several areas in and around the Pacific. Roosevelt explains both the current situation of defenses in Manila Bay, Pearl Harbor, and the Pacific Coast of the United States, as well as the plans that are currently in place to improve these defenses. He asks Cannon to try to expedite the process of providing funding for these purposes.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-02-21
President Roosevelt directs Secretary of War Taft to have the Joint Board to provide him with a plan elaborating what the United States should do regarding its defenses of Hawaii, particularly looking at fortifying Pearl Harbor or Honolulu. Roosevelt feels that conversations on a similar topic relating to the defense of the Philippines were one-sided, and have caused harm to the United States by recommending the construction of fortifications at Subic Bay, when such fortifications are not defensible by land, but only by sea. In addition to the plan he has requested, Roosevelt also directs that Taft and Secretary of the Navy Victor Howard Metcalf investigate the actions of the previous board in recommending Subic Bay.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-02-11
President Roosevelt instructs Secretary of the Navy Metcalf that he would like the Joint Board to provide him with a plan elaborating what the United States should do regarding its defenses of Hawaii, particularly looking at fortifying Pearl Harbor or Honolulu. Roosevelt feels that conversations on a similar topic relating to the defense of the Philippines were one-sided, and have caused harm to the United States by recommending the construction of fortifications at Subic Bay, when such fortifications are not defensible by land, but only by sea. In addition to the plan he has requested, Roosevelt also directs that Metcalf and Secretary of War William H. Taft investigate the actions of the previous board in recommending Subic Bay.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-02-11
President Roosevelt sends General Smith a copy of a letter he received from Chief of Ordnance William Crozier applauding the appointment of Smith to brigadier general before his retirement. In the letter Crozier details Smith’s triumphs, including the widespread adoption of the built-up forged steel cannon gun and revitalizing coastal defenses in the United States. Roosevelt appreciates Smith’s service to the country, as this efforts advanced the development of seacoast defenses in the United States.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-12-04
Marshall Stimson sends Theodore Roosevelt clippings on an incident during the visit of a Japanese warship to San Pedro Harbor. He knows Roosevelt recognizes the gravity of the situation regarding Japan. The Pacific Coast lacks defenses, and a plan must be instituted to develop a stronger military basis to retain prestige and island possessions. However, the situation with Japan needs to be handled carefully. Stimson believes Governor of California Hiram Johnson is dependable and calls on Roosevelt to help. He sends a copy of Homer Lea’s book.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1910-12-12
Brigadier General Wotherspoon reports to Army Chief of Staff Bell concerning the proposition of constructing a naval base at Subic Bay in the Philippines. While Wotherspoon concedes the point that this location is very easily defended from the sea, there are many problems related to its defense from the land, which he outlines. Wotherspoon believes a base at this position would not be able to be defended long enough for reinforcements from the United States to arrive, and so recommends the construction of a base at Manila Bay or Corregidor instead.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-07-02
Army Chief of Staff Bell responds to inquiries from President Roosevelt concerning circumstances related to the fortification of Hawaii. Bell corrects Roosevelt’s understanding that the government had purchased some tracts of land in Hawaii that were now abandoned, and says that the land will be used to construct a battery of guns. Bell also informs Roosevelt that General Arthur Murray has gone to see the Committee in person to explain the construction that will be necessary to fortify Honolulu and Pearl Harbor.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-03-10
Secretary of the Navy Metcalf forwards President Roosevelt a report from Admiral George Dewey and the Joint Army and Navy Board regarding the defenses of the naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-03-05
Admiral Dewey, reporting as senior member of the Joint Board, sends Secretary of the Navy Metcalf a report detailing the development of thinking regarding a proposed naval base at Subig bay in the Philippines. While this site was initially considered ideal from a purely naval perspective, this conclusion was later revised, due to increased input from army officers regarding the possibility of defending the site from landward invasions, as well as events during the Russo-Japanese War highlighting new factors that had to be taken into consideration. These developments resulted in the recent recommendation of Manila Bay as the more suitable site for a naval base.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-03-05
Army Chief of Staff James Bell Franklin requests a report regarding the construction of a naval base in the Philippines. Bell highlights several issues that should be given consideration and explained when examining the differences between Subig Bay and Manila Bay, especially highlighting several statements made in a report by the Board of Officers that should be replied to directly. This prior report, Franklin says, considered the sites for naval defense only, did not give proper consideration to inland defenses, and suggested that the entrance to Manila Bay could not be held.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-03-05