Cuba

Telegram from William H. Taft to Theodore Roosevelt

Secretary of War Taft believes that Charles E. Magoon is the best man to be in charge of the situation in Cuba but is afraid that he is too much needed in the Philippines and that they would not be able to spare him. Meanwhile, Beekman Winthrop is on his way to the island via the USS Denver, but if President Roosevelt does not agree on that course of action, Taft is ready to recall the Denver. Taft states that American troops are not in Cuba to battle the insurgents and that they are only there on a peace-keeping mission. The next few days are critical and he will continue to send updates.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-10-02

Speech of William H. Taft at the opening exercises of the National University of Havana

As Provisional Governor of Cuba, Taft says that he feels honored to take part in exercises at the University of Havana and acknowledges that the attention of the world is “directed toward the tropics, and movement toward popular government.” Although he and President Roosevelt regret that American intervention in Cuba is necessary, he assures Cubans that “the United States is not an exploiting nation”—that the United States wants to foster democracy in Cuba. In Taft’s mind, the difficulties of the Cuban people stem from being trained “to look to somebody else for the responsibility of government.” Rather, all classes of people must become involved in politics and fostering business in Cuba.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-10-01

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

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

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

Telegram from William H. Taft to Theodore Roosevelt

Secretary of War Taft met with insurgent leaders in Cuba and their revolutionary committee. Taft is hopeful but not confidant. Taft thinks “nothing can be done” once the Latin race is “inflicted with the political virus.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-09-23

Letter from Lyman Abbott to Theodore Roosevelt

Lyman Abbott writes to President Roosevelt that he is sorry to have kept the letter from William H. Fleming so long. He mentions the “barbaric” recent riots in Atlanta and the “splendid work Taft is doing in Cuba.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-09-24

Letter from Charles J. Bonaparte to Theodore Roosevelt

Secretary of the Navy Bonaparte writes to President Roosevelt that he received a letter from John Hanna about William H. Jackson’s reply to Clarence C. Pusey’s offer. Jackson replied that Pusey ought to take office when Dryden’s commission ends rather than November 15 as offered. Bonaparte believes that Pusey’s offer was a satisfactory effort. Bonaparte reports that the situation in Cuba, from a Navy standpoint, is “as satisfactory as the situation there permits.” He also writes of Samuel Gompers and the American Federation of Labor facing difficulty among local constituents and the African American population.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-09-24

Telegram from William H. Taft to Theodore Roosevelt

Secretary of War Taft writes that liberals and insurgents have agreed to the terms discussed, but he worries about moderates and Tomás Estrada Palma. Taft hopes President Roosevelt might send a telegram at once to Estrada Palma asking him to make a sacrifice for his country and remain as president. Taft is meeting with Estrada Palma later tonight and will telegraph after their meeting.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-09-24

Letter from Alvey A. Adee to Theodore Roosevelt

Acting Secretary of State Adee encloses forwards to President Roosevelt an interview Jacob Sleeper had with Cuban President Tomás Estrada Palma, in which the latter requested United States intervention to protect U.S. citizens from Cuban rebels. Also enclosed is Estrada Palma’s address to the Cuban congress.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-09-25

Telegram from Fred C. Ainsworth to Theodore Roosevelt

Acting Secretary of War Ainsworth replies to President Roosevelt’s telegram, reporting that troops are prepared and ready to move. The transport ship Sumner is ready to take troops to Cuba unless Roosevelt replies to the contrary.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-09-25

Letter from James Franklin Bell to Theodore Roosevelt

Chief of Staff Bell writes to President Roosevelt about the difficulty acquiring ships for transport of troops and supplies to Cuba. Ports in the south should anticipate higher traffic of troops and supplies back and forth. Bell asks that Roosevelt speak with governors of southern states, asking them to lift their quarantine of ships returning from Cuba to expedite the process.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-09-25

Letter from Charles J. Bonaparte to Theodore Roosevelt

Secretary of the Navy Bonaparte has sought the advice of Assistant Secretary of State Alvey A. Adee whether to accept the honorary committee position. Adee advises against contacting J. J. Jusserand and recommends declining the offer altogether. Bonaparte asks for President Roosevelt’s input. Bonaparte also updates Roosevelt that the Indiana and Kentucky battleships are headed to Cuba, with others following. Bonaparte mentions an Associated Press article about General Taft’s growing impatience with the Cuban government in controlling the rebels.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-09-25

Memorandum from Maurice Latta to Rudolph Forster

Maurice Latta asks Rudolph Forster to inform General Fred C. Ainsworth that President Roosevelt has approved making public the commissioning of the Sumner. All that is needed to move troops to Cuba, if peace talks fail, is to charter transports.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-09-25

Telegram from Truman Handy Newberry to Theodore Roosevelt

Acting Secretary of the Navy Newberry informs President Roosevelt that the press is aware of the movement of ships and troops towards Cuba. Newberry asks how much information they should share.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-09-25

Telegram from William H. Taft to Theodore Roosevelt

Secretary of War Taft informs President Roosevelt in an encrypted telegram that President Tomás Estrada Palma of Cuba will not compromise with his political opponents to remain in office because his honor will not allow him to do so. Taft believes that Estrada Palma wants armed intervention by the United States. Taft also writes that he is concerned about who will replace Estrada Palma since Taft does not find Vice President Domingo Méndez Capote to inspire confidence in his ability to lead the country. Taft still holds out hope that the rebels will lay down their arms, but argues for more ships and troops.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-09-25

Telegram from William H. Taft to Theodore Roosevelt

Secretary of War Taft informs President Roosevelt that Tomás Estrada Palma and his government are all planning to resign. Taft recommends Roosevelt use the Platt Amendment to assume control of Cuba, set up a government, and name a Governor quickly to protect the government’s interest in Cuba. Taft wants Roosevelt’s authority to send for the leaders of the insurgents to let them know conditions have changed, that they are now in arms against the United States, and that they will receive amnesty if they lay down their arms and return to their homes.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-09-25

Letter from William H. Taft to Theodore Roosevelt

Secretary of War Taft reports on the situation in Cuba. While Taft had attempted arbitration, Cuban President Tomás Estrada Palma resigned from office and dissolved the congress. It sounds like the the insurgents will end the insurrection because of this. The United States may need to form a provisional government in Cuba in order to restore order there. Taft is wary of recognizing the forces of the insurrection as a de facto government, and discusses the possibility of who to select to eventually reform a government.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-09-26

Telegram from Joseph Benson Foraker to Theodore Roosevelt

In light of recent news from Cuba, Senator Foraker feels compelled to tell President Roosevelt that under the United States’ treaty with Cuba for the maintenance of a government, the power to intervene lies with the United States not solely the President.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-09-26

Telegram from William H. Taft to Theodore Roosevelt

Secretary of War Taft cables President Roosevelt the latest changes in Cuba. Alfredo Zayas y Alfonso is trying to broker an agreement with the Cuban Moderate Party while Tomás Estrada Palma has given his resignation to Congress and has written to ask that the United States take over governing. Now they must wait to see if Congress goes along with the agreement.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-09-27