Cuba

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Eugene Hale

President Roosevelt informs Senator Hale he will take up the matter regarding Collector of the Port George A. Curran but will wait on the St. John issue until he sees Secretary of State Elihu Root and Hale. He is disheartened by the Maine election and the implications of William Randolph Hearst’s nomination for governor of New York. The situation in Cuba continues to be a struggle.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-09-28

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Grenville M. Dodge

President Roosevelt relays to General Dodge his stance on the recent actions taken by Secretary of War William H. Taft during his visit to Cuba. Roosevelt states he did not send Taft to Cuba until Cuban President Tomás Estrada Palma’s choice to resign was clear. Although Sir William Cornelius Van Horne and Mr. Menduley believe military control of Cuba is possible, Van Horne also states that “the Island is perfectly adapted to guerrilla warfare and…ten men to one would be required to suppress the insurrection and a great many lives would be lost doing it.” Roosevelt agrees that the cost of life is too great for the United States to hold Cuba by military force. Influential members of the Foreign Affairs Committee, Senator Joseph Benson Foraker, Senator Eugene Hale, and Senator Henry Cabot Lodge also believe in resisting more conflict and believe it is in best interest to “let the Cubans govern themselves.” However, Roosevelt believes the possibility of continued unrest in Cuba could sway public opinion and bring congressional support for future intervention from the United States.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-10-01

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Henry Cabot Lodge

President Roosevelt thanks Senator Lodge for the letter informing him and his wife about their son, Ted, who does not write home often enough. Roosevelt wrote to Ted an “earnest and truthful” letter about his “folly.” Roosevelt also informs Lodge of the meeting in Cuba between Secretary of War William H. Taft, First Assistant Secretary of State Robert Bacon, and Cuban President Tomas Estrada Palma. The temporary agreement for a provisional government with military support from the United States will help secure peace while Cuba begins self-government. Roosevelt hopes this will secure Cuba’s liberty, and any future policy will be in the “permanent interests of both Cuba and the United States.” Roosevelt also has acted to “prevent hurt” to the Republican nominees in the upcoming state elections, particularly in New York, and New York City. Wealthy business men, like William Randolph Hearst, and “Bourbon reactionaries” are running for office to gain political power, not for the “have-nots,” but to deflect regulations on their wealth. Roosevelt believes Charles Evans Hughes is the right man to run against Hearst for governor, as he will enact progressive reforms with a fair mind.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-10-01

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Martin B. Madden

President Roosevelt thanks Congressman Madden for his letter expressing support for Roosevelt’s efforts in Cuba. 

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-10-02

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Gonzalo de Quesada

Reaffirming his good feelings for Minister Gonzalo de Quesada and Cuba, President Roosevelt warns that Cuban independence is in jeopardy. He admonishes Cuban patriots come together to ensure liberty. As per treaty, the United States has the right to intervene “for the maintenance in Cuba of a government adequate for the protection of life, property and individual liberty.” Roosevelt is sending Secretary of War William H. Taft and Acting Secretary of State Robert Bacon as representatives to render aid.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-09-14

Telegram from Theodore Roosevelt to Elihu Root

Once in Panama, President Roosevelt will advise Secretary of State Root if he needs to visit Cuba.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-09-16

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to William H. Taft

President Roosevelt is delighted with the army’s preparations under Secretary of War Taft. He thanks Taft for sending Judge Advocate General George B. Davis’s opinion on the right to intervene in Cuba. However, if intervention is necessary, he would “not dream of asking the permission of Congress.” He regards the treaty as the law and he “shall execute it.” Roosevelt requests Taft give speeches in Colorado and Idaho.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-09-17

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Henry W. Taft

President Roosevelt informs Secretary of War Taft of his discussion with Acting Secretary of State Robert Bacon concerning Speyer and Company. Bacon reviewed the matter with Charles H. Tweed and Jacob H. Hollander. His action cannot be reversed and even if it could, Bacon believes it improper. Roosevelt is fond of James Speyer and wishes he did not have to relay this information to Taft.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-09-18

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Charles J. Bonaparte

President Roosevelt found Secretary of the Navy Bonaparte’s letter recounting his experience in Santo Domingo “a ray of sunshine.” He agrees the Navy should be told to act on Secretary of War William H. Taft’s orders. Roosevelt advises Bonaparte enjoys his holiday knowing Taft is now responsible for Cuba.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-09-19

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Charles William Eliot

President Roosevelt informs President of Harvard University Eliot he is speaking at the fiftieth anniversary of the Michigan State Agricultural College on May 31. Before taking stronger action in Cuba, he will do everything in his power to facilitate a peaceful agreement. He will contact Secretary of War William H. Taft about Americans financing revolutionists.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-09-20

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Charles William Eliot

President Roosevelt updates President of Harvard Eliot on Secretary of War William H. Taft’s investigation into American agitators’ influence in the Cuban conflict. He discusses the “curious” opinion of having General Leonard Wood take control in Cuba given the previous backlash against him, even though Roosevelt considers him one of the “best officers we now have.” While Cuba is his immediate concern in foreign affairs, Roosevelt discusses the issues concerning the Hague and the Panama Canal.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-09-22

Telegram from Theodore Roosevelt to Truman Handy Newberry

President Roosevelt forwards Acting Secretary of the Navy Newberry a message from Secretary of War William H. Taft. Out of precaution, Taft and Acting Secretary of State Robert Bacon recommend sending more vessels and personnel to Cuba. Roosevelt directs Newberry to send as many vessels and marines as possible.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-09-24

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Whitelaw Reid

President Roosevelt thanks Ambassador Reid for the interesting letter. He comments on William Jennings Bryan’s recent speech, uncertain if he should “feel more irritated or sympathetic.” Roosevelt hopes to “persuade the Cubans to act decently” and continue in self-governance.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-09-24

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to George Otto Trevelyan

President Roosevelt sends his sympathy to George Otto Trevelyan upon the death of his sister, Viscountess Margaret Jean Trevelyan Knutsford. He thanks him for clarifying why many Englishmen distrust former Prime Minister James Arthur Balfour and discusses corruption and military armament. The foreign affairs regarding Newfoundland fishery regulations and civil unrest in Cuba prove frustrating. Roosevelt shares these frustrations with Trevelyan for “the fact that I have to blow off steam.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-09-09

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Robert Bacon

President Roosevelt is impressed by Acting Secretary of State Bacon’s suggestion about Secretary of State Elihu Root and regrets being unable to talk to Root before his departure to Cuba. During Bacon’s upcoming visit, Roosevelt wants to consider the benefit of sending a formal letter to Cuba regarding American intervention. He directs Bacon to work with American Consul General Maximilian Steinhart, as he finds Chargé d’affaires Jacob Sleeper and Minister to Cuba Edwin V. Morgan lacking in their diplomatic posts.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-09-10

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Samuel A. Harper

President Roosevelt thanks Samuel A. Harper for his letter but chastises him for requesting more insight on Aaron Burr when Roosevelt is busy with a myriad of current affairs.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-09-12

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Charles William Eliot

President Roosevelt informs President of Harvard Eliot of his plan to send a separate message to Congress regarding the Reed memorial and asks him to send supporting materials to raise a subscription for the widow. Regrettably, he is unable to speak at Harvard next year. In “strict privacy,” he shares of President of Cuba Tomás Estrada Palmas’ request to intervene and in connection, discusses the justification of the Revolutionary War.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-09-13

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Henry White

President Roosevelt heartily congratulates Ambassador to Italy White on his ibex hunt and asks him to thank King of Italy Victor Emmanuel for the report volumes. He shares his frustration over the situation in Cuba.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-09-13

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Robert Bacon

President Roosevelt informs Acting Secretary of State Bacon of the immediate need to act “to protect American interests by fulfilling American obligations to Cuba” as evidenced by the lack of governmental leadership and repeated requests for aid. Seeing the situation as “one of impending chaos,” and finding the usual diplomatic communications useless, the enclosed letter will be sent to Cuban President Tomás Estrada Palma and be published.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-09-14

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to William H. Taft

President Roosevelt thinks Secretary of War Taft should send the letter from former Panamanian president Tomás Arias to Secretary of State Elihu Root for review. While canal engineer John F. Stevens is admirable man, Roosevelt believes he can render himself valueless by thinking himself indispensable. Roosevelt wants to keep the party traveling to Panama a small one. He requests Taft communicate with the acting Secretary of War, as he is not pleased with the War Department’s lack of initiative concerning Cuba’s request for cartridges.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-08-27