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