Cuba

Secretary of War Taft reports to President Roosevelt on the situation in Cuba. There is an ongoing governmental crisis in Cuba, and the situation may demand intervention by the United States. Taft suggests a draft of a proclamation in case this establishment becomes necessary to enforce the laws and protect the lives and properties of the people on the island. He also includes the text of a message from Cuban President Tomas Estrada Palma commenting on the failure to elect a replacement president, and laying out what actions he is taking as a consequence of this.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-09-28

Herbert Myrick has read that President Roosevelt, at the advice of General Wood, is pursuing a policy of reciprocity with Cuba. Myrick encloses literature in opposition to this policy.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1901-09-24

General Wood was surprised to hear of President McKinley’s declining health as everything previously indicated a rapid recovery. A “deep current of sympathy” can be found throughout Cuba.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1901-09-13

James Bryce will be traveling through Mexico and the West Indies in the fall. After Mexico, he hopes to visit Cuba and requests an introduction from Vice President Roosevelt to the commander of American forces in Cuba and the admiral leading the American squadron. He is also interested in meeting with anyone Roosevelt would like to suggest. The situation is poor in England and the “calamitous” South African War has been “abominably mismanaged.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1901-08-23

William H. Altman sends Vice President Roosevelt some papers and “relics” he obtained from Roosevelt’s saddlebag and haversack while he was working at the Rock Island Arsenal, where equipment from Roosevelt’s troops were received for repairs after the troops returned from Cuba. Altman explains that he comes from “fighting stock,” gives a list of relatives who have served as soldiers, and asks for a remembrance from Roosevelt. Altman offers to send Roosevelt a copy of Rock Island Arsenal: In Peace and In War, if he does not already have one.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1901-02-27

James Harrison Wilson believes that the United States should have taken total control over Cuba, similar to what occurred in Puerto Rico. Since this did not occur, Wilson lays out points that should be incorporated into a treaty in order to maintain American influence on the island while allowing Cubans a high degree of freedom and economic prosperity. After a few years of close cooperation, Wilson believes that both countries will seek the annexation of Cuba to the United States.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1899-09-08

Elihu Root asks Theodore Roosevelt for any information on the Philippines he has received from his sources.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1899-09-20

Samuel E. Moffett encloses Assistant Secretary Roosevelt’s letter with regrets that it should have been misinterpreted. He looks forward to hearing Roosevelt’s account of his achievements in Cuba.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1898-04-30

Rough Rider Dillwyn M. Bell writes to Judge Thomas about the heroism of his son John R. Thomas, who is also a Rough Rider. Thomas fought bravely even after he was wounded. Bell tells Thomas that he is now the father of the whole regiment, and that he would like to see him in Chicago when he is back from Cuba.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1898-07-30

Senator Lodge tells Governor Roosevelt that Roosevelt overrates Lodge’s actions. If the positions were reversed, Lodge is certain that Roosevelt would do even more for him. He is also sure that when Roosevelt is president one day he will return the favor by helping Lodge. Lodge comments on aspects of New York politics, and addresses a recent change in the War Department to which Roosevelt contributed, with the previous Secretary of War R. A. Alger being replaced by Elihu Root. The situation in Cuba makes Lodge unhappy, and he wishes that President McKinley would replace General Brooke. Additionally, while McKinley may be correct about General Otis, the general impression is that he is a failure. Lodge wishes that General Wood was in charge in Cuba. He also predicts that Frederick Funston will be a good ally in the future.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1899-08-10

Leonard Wood writes from Cuba where he is serving as military governor. He believes that there are too many American soldiers in Cuba and that half as many men would be sufficient to train the Cubans, many of whom are eager to enlist and become soldiers. There are almost no difficulties with the people of Cuba.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1899-08-18

Leonard Wood writes from Cuba saying that the populace is generally content but there are some difficulties with a few of the Cubans who have received government appointments.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1899-08-24

French Ensor Chadwick is convinced that the United States government needs to issue a manifesto on the necessity of putting an end to the horrors in Cuba and demand that Spain leave the island. Such action should be taken immediately. Chadwick discusses how easy it would be to assault Havanna.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1898-03-24

Major General Merriam reminds General Miles not to forget that Cuba is now engaged in normal business practices that could impact mobilization tactics.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1898-04-12

Senator Lodge writes Commissioner Roosevelt about a lunch he recently had with Presidential Nominee William McKinley. The pair talked about McKinley’s plan for his time in office, including policy on Hawaii and McKinley’s desire not to go to war over Cuba. They also spoke extensively about McKinley’s plans for his cabinet. Lodge assures Roosevelt that his chances of an appointment in the naval department are good, though McKinley sought assurance that Roosevelt did not have “preconceived plans which he would wish to drive through the moment he got in.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1896-12-02

The United States Senate requested information on any contracts and negotiations relating to the landing of foreign telegraphic cables upon the shores of the U.S. This document summarizes and transcribes pertinent documents, including those related to the first such cable, which connected the island of Cuba with the State of Florida in 1867.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1885-01-27

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-04-10

Creator(s)

Taft, William H. (William Howard), 1857-1930

Recipient

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919