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Leonard Wood has spoken with Albert L. Key about many of the present discussions going on in reference to the Navy, and encourages President Roosevelt to read some letters that Key will send to him. Wood has been working on a question involving Cuba, and will send Roosevelt his recommendations.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-12-26
Harry Johnston tells President Roosevelt about some of his travels around the southern United States, and his observations of both the people and environment there. Johnston plans to spend some time in Louisiana before traveling to Florida, and thence to Cuba. Johnston also would like to travel to Haiti, but worries that potential unrest there will make it difficult for him to visit. He asks Roosevelt if he would consider writing a letter of introduction allowing him to visit, as “it would be rather disappointing to return to England without some glimpse of Haiti.” Harper’s will be publishing an article of Johnston’s describing his impressions of New York that Roosevelt helped review.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-12-01
William Emlen Roosevelt is not surprised by what President Roosevelt said in his letter about appointing Hamilton Fish’s successor as Assistant Treasurer of the United States. Emlen encloses a slip from a news bureau that was handed to him by Mr. Porter. He does not think the current campaign is pleasant, as people are more interested in mudslinging than paying attention to the issues. Finally, Emlen tells his cousin about the good time he had at the “Silver Wedding” and updates him on various family travels.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-10-07
Provisional Governor of Cuba Magoon discusses with President Roosevelt the necessity of issuing government bonds in Cuba to fund the continuation of sanitation and public works as initiated by the provisional government.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-08-31
Governor Magoon apologizes to Secretary of War Wright for the misunderstandings regarding his ideas on the number of forces to maintain in Cuba in addition to him becoming involved in reconciling the factions in the Cuban political parties. He requests Wright show a copy of the letter to President Roosevelt.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-09-02
Secretary of War Wright encloses a letter from General Charles E. Magoon, Occupation Governor of Cuba, discussing an issue with early bond in Cuba. Speyer & Co have offered to finance the matter but Wright would like to wait until Roosevelt is back in Washington to discuss it. Wright sends a second letter from Magoon indicating a misunderstanding on the topics of the creation of a Cuban army and the Liberal party.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-09-13
Governor Magoon requests an accounting of the funds expended outside the ordinary budget of the Government of Cuba from Acting Treasury Secretary Gabriel García y Echarte.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-08-13
Acting Cuban Secretary of the Treasury Gabriel García y Echarte submits a preliminary accounting of the funds expended outside the ordinary budget of the Government of Cuba since the insurrection of 1906, noting that a full accounting will take much more time to compile.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-08-14
For the public good, Cuban newspaper editors implore Provisional Governor Magoon to continue the public works program.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-08-18
Major General Thomas H. Barry endorses Frank Maximilan Steinhart to Governor Charles E. Magoon. Barry says that in all of his interactions with Steinhart, Steinhart was intelligent, tactful, and exercised good judgement. Barry has full confidence in Steinhart, and urges Magoon to confer with him whenever necessary.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-06-24
French Ensor Chadwick thanks President Roosevelt for the copy of the book Rough Riders, but stands his ground regarding what constitutes heroism. Chadwick puts a great deal of emphasis on the different characters of Americans and Spaniards, writing of the “fatalism and fanaticism” of the Spanish character, and how this was shown in the actions of Pascual Cervera y Topete.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-07-06
Secretary of State Root returns the letters from Charles E. Magoon, Occupational Governor of Cuba. He tells President Roosevelt that “there could be no better man” to be minister of Cuba, but he fears Magoon will want to go home and practice law.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-05-11
Per President Roosevelt’s request, Charles E. Magoon, the occupation governor of Cuba, provides his assessment of the current political, economic, and social situation in Cuba. He advises Roosevelt of the feasibility of withdrawing from Cuba and dissolving the provisional government and installing Cuban officials. Several measures should be taken to ensure the stability of a new Cuban government, including solidifying economic relations with Cuba, installing several American advisers to assist in the administration of the state, and getting Cuban “non-politicos” involved in politics.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-04-16
William Cornelius Van Horne was sorry to miss Baron Hermann Speck von Sternburg’s visit to Cuba. He did not find out about it in time to make arrangements for Sternburg’s comfort and convenience. Van Horne offers his assessment of the political situation in Cuba. The political factions and divisions that have arisen make the success of an independent government impossible, but further intervention by the United States is risky. Van Horne also is worried that the Japanese have overextended themselves, but does not know enough to speak further on the matter.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-03-30
Granville Fortescue has spoken with Secretary of War William H. Taft and Governor Charles E. Magoon about the possibility of a few Americans becoming special inspectors with the Armed Forces of Cuba. Taft supported the idea, but Magoon thought it would be bad policy. Fortescue still thinks that it would be wise, as there are rumors of an upcoming reorganization of the Cuban Military, and appeals directly to President Roosevelt. He suggests Henry A. Barber and himself as possible candidates, and argues for their qualifications and the usefulness of the position.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-03-15
German Ambassador Hermann Speck von Sternburg greets President Roosevelt from Kettle Hill in Cuba, where Roosevelt fought during the Spanish-American War.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-03-06
Thomas Henry Barry thanks William Loeb for the good words that Loeb has been putting in on his behalf. Barry hopes President Roosevelt will favor his claim to be appointed Major General, as it will be his last appointment during Roosevelt’s administration. German Ambassador Herman Speck Von Sternburg and his wife, Lillian May Speck von Sternburg, are leaving Cuba for Tampa today. They have enjoyed their visit, and can give the president an interesting account of the trip.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-03-10
As he prepares to leave Cuba, Herman Speck von Sternburg gives President Roosevelt detail about his visit there and his impressions of things he has seen. Overall, Sternburg says, conditions on the island were better than he expected, and he was very impressed by some of the military training and drills that he saw while he was there. He recommends leaving several departments of the Cuban military and government with strong advisers when the United States eventually ceases to have a provisional government in Cuba.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-03-11
Ambassador Hermann Speck von Sternburg sends President Roosevelt several thoughts he had following their talk about the usefulness of torpedo nets and their use by the German Navy. Speck lists five points that have contributed to the German Navy not adopting the torpedo net. He and his wife, Lillian May Speck von Sternburg, arrived in Cuba and are looking forward to their tour of the island. They thank Roosevelt for his efforts to arrange things to make their time there interesting and enjoyable.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-02-25
Thomas Henry Barry tells President Roosevelt about the visit of Hermann and Lillian May Speck von Sternburg to Cuba, and of some of the upcoming activities that he has planned for them. The Sternburgs have greatly enjoyed their visit to Cuba, and plan to begin their return trip to Washington, D.C., on March 9th. Barry says that Roosevelt must come visit Cuba sometime as well.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-03-02