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George Otto Trevelyan regards large, expensive battleships as the “height of folly” and discusses the important considerations of naval artillery. He commiserates with President Roosevelt’s difficulties with Cuba. Trevelyan comments on Charles Francis Adams’s recent visit and is pleased Roosevelt likes the poetry of his friend, Gilbert Murray.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-09-27
Charles William Eliot explains to President Roosevelt why Leonard Wood experiences hostility. This goes back to the service Wood gave President McKinley and his wife. Wood’s “egotistic freedom of speech” to the press also contributed to distrust of him. Eliot hopes Roosevelt will not pay attention to those who have business interests in Cuba. The U.S. government cannot immediately create peace and prosperity in the country. Eliot believes the Democratic Party is desperate after William Jennings Bryan’s recent failure.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-09-27
The Cuban revolutionary party, through their New York junta, have chosen Captain Charles Cassilly Cook of Ohio as their new legal counsel. Cook’s past appointments include president of the Ohio Board of Pardons and Captain of the First Ohio Infantry during the Spanish-American War. Cook is a well-known clubman from a prominent Cincinnati family, formerly a Democrat. As a lawyer, he has written on topics including insurgent soldiery in Cuba, and the heresy of the financial theories of both William Jennings Bryan as well as Coin’s Financial School, written by William Hope Harvey.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-09-27
Acting Secretary of the Navy Newberry reports on the present disposition of vessels of the Navy with reference to the Cuban situation.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-09-27
Secretary of War Taft writes President Roosevelt about the course of events likely to be followed in Cuba. Taft predicts that when a quorum cannot be reached in Congress, President Tomás Estrada Palma will resign and ask the United States to intervene. American troops will then land in Cuba and proclaim a provisional government unless Roosevelt directs otherwise.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-09-28
Secretary of War Taft sends a telegram to President Roosevelt detailing political factionalism in Havana, Cuba. Taft reports that the two parties could not agree and that the moderate faction may “stir up a counter revolution.” The party is delaying the resignation of the President as long as possible, which Taft will allow as long as there are not two insurrections simultaneously.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-09-28
Secretary of War Taft suggests a draft of a proclamation establishing a provisional government in Cuba.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-09-28
William H. Taft recommends that President Roosevelt send 6,000 troops to Cuba to aid in gaining control of the island. The troops will be useful in capturing stray insurgents who do not surrender after an agreement is reached.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-09-29
Acting Secretary of War Latta relays a message from Secretary of War Taft that 6,000 troops will be sufficient to support operations in Cuba. The War Department has been trying to reach President Roosevelt and have not yet received a response.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-09-29
Acting Secretary of War Oliver forwards a telegram to President Roosevelt that he received from Secretary of War William H. Taft asking when the first expedition can sail to Cuba. Taft recommends that Benjamin F. Baker be sent as Chief Quartermaster because of his experience in the region. Oliver notes that preparatory orders were given to commanding officers and asks if notices should be issued for the movement of troops.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-09-29
Secretary of War Taft informs President Roosevelt that an agreement over what to do about the Cuban insurrection has been sent to the Revolutionary committee and has been signed. Tomás Estrada Palma is pleased with the United States’ proclamation as he believed no other solution was possible. However, total disarmament of the rebels without trouble occurring is unlikely.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-09-29
Robert Bacon does not believe that the war in Cuba can be ended by a mutual agreement between the two parties. Secretary of War Taft would like to know Elihu Root’s opinion on how best to continue normal diplomatic relations between Cuba and the rest of the world. Bacon also asks Alvey A. Adee for his views on the situation and inquires what the situation was like under Spain.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-09-29
Secretary of War Taft updates President Roosevelt on the recent elections in Cuba which failed. Taft received a letter from Tomás Estrada Palma that he has already sent ahead to Roosevelt and he plans to announce the establishment of a United States military-led government.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-09-29
“By reply to [Cuban chargé d’affaires Jacob] Sleeper’s request for instructions I will send the following if the president approves.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-09-30
Brigadier-General Bell informs William Loeb that he disagrees with Theodore Roosevelt’s endorsement of Captain Parker for the mission to Cuba. While Bell agrees that Parker has many admirable traits, his professional defects heavily outweigh them, and he is “one of the last men in the Army he would voluntarily recommend” for the mission.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-09-19
Three translated letters express viewpoints of people in Cuba during the Second Occupation of Cuba by American military forces. One quotes a prominent Spanish individual expressing a desire for America to save the country. Another Cuban individual expresses disappointment in how his countrymen are acting compared to President Roosevelt and is appreciative of the graciousness America is showing Cuba. The final quote is from the owner of the Development Company of Cuba who is afraid that violence will continue to break out and affect the financial interests there.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-09-19
Acting Secretary of State Adee sends a copy of a letter from S. C. Neale to William Loeb that Theodore Roosevelt may enjoy.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-09-20
Acting Secretary of State Adee encloses for President Roosevelt a copy of chargé d’affaires Jacob Sleeper’s report on political conditions in Cuba.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-09-20
Secretary of the Navy Bonaparte writes to President Roosevelt regarding an offer for Bonaparte to serve on an honorary committee in France. Bonaparte does not want his involvement to be construed as support to the French. He wonders if he should consult French Ambassador Jusserand. Bonaparte also mentions that the spelling of naval titles has been in the news.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-09-20
Henry White received President Roosevelt’s letter but has waited until reaching Rome to answer it. White’s views on disarmament were sent in a confidential letter through the British Embassy’s dispatch bag. He has omitted any reference to Roosevelt’s observations about the German emperor although he has borrowed some of Roosevelt’s phraseology. White writes that Roosevelt’s action in Cuba was met with “universal admiration.” White saw the Chilean minister yesterday who said that Elihu Root’s visit there brought great comfort and was epoch making. Other topics in the letter include the German and Jesuit influence in the Vatican and the reputation of the emperor as an influencer, and White’s visit with the King of Italy and their discussion of new literacy-based immigration laws.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-09-20