Your TR Source
In a memo prepared by the New York Herald, a correspondent describes the situation in Cuba. He insists that Americans in Cuba are frightened of a potential return to Cuban rule over the island. Making Cuba an American protectorate is recommended.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-02-11
President Roosevelt writes to his son Kermit about Archie playing with Skip the dog and spending time with Edith. William H. Taft and Robert Bacon have returned from a successful trip to Cuba, and Roosevelt and Edith will be going to Panama. Roosevelt closes with his opinion of whether or not Ted will get into Harvard’s Dickie Club.
1906-10-23
President Roosevelt writes to his son Kermit about his distress over the government in Cuba. He then describes his trip aboard the Mayflower to see Admiral Evans’s fleet at Barnstable with cousin William Emlen Roosevelt, C. Grant La Farge, and Archie. They watched a gunnery exercise on the battleship Missouri (BB-11). Roosevelt ends the letter with updates on Ted and Quentin.
1906-09-30
President Roosevelt sends Secretary of State Root a letter from Charles E. Magoon, the occupational governor of Cuba. Secretary of War William H. Taft has also seen it. Roosevelt’s assessment is that Magoon would be the best man to be minister of Cuba during the occupation, and that nothing else can be done until the Cubans elect a president. Magoon has made it clear that the troops should leave Cuba on the 1st of February.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-04-27
Acting Secretary of State Adee acknowledges receipt of President Roosevelt’s letter to Robert Bacon dated September 14, which included Roosevelt’s letter to the Cuban minister to the United States about tensions in Cuba and the need for the people and government to “come to terms with each other.” Adee notes that the letter to Gonzalo de Quesada has been made of record in the Department of State.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-09-20
Acting Secretary of State Adee has enclosed a letter from Jacob Sleeper, the chargé d’affaires in Havana, about the political situation there.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-09-20
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
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
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.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-09-25
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.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-09-25
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.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-09-24
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.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-09-23
Secretary of War Taft is doubtful about keeping Tomás Estrada Palma in the presidency. Estrada Palma is honest and well-liked by property holders and conservatives. Assistant Secretary of State Bacon believes Estrada Palma should stay for continuity of the government that the United States created four years prior. Taft agrees with Bacon only because there is no suitable Liberal presidential candidate. Removing those House and Senate officials who were elected by fraud would impress upon people the importance of fair elections and stamping out abuses of power. Taft wants the insurgents to lay down their arms and is meeting with their generals today but is doubtful, since some insurgents prefer conflict as they are “lawless persons of no particular standing in times of peace.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-09-22
The moderates in Cuba will submit to any plan Secretary of War Taft and Assistant Secretary of State Bacon draft, on the condition that rebels lay down their arms and disperse. Despite differing opinions, Taft is arranging a meeting with insurgent groups and is hopeful. Liberal party leader Alfredo Zayas y Alfonso is also willing to work on a compromise. American ships Newark and Minneapolis have arrived. Bacon now thinks President Estrada Palma should remain for continuity, although others believe his weakness will only cause further disharmony. Taft agrees with Bacon.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-09-22
After speaking with Frank S. Cairns and Eugene Frederick Ladd, Secretary of War Taft believes the Cuban government under President Tomás Estrada Palma cannot continue. A small number of rurales and militia are spread around the island, with artillerymen and a few thousand municipal police concentrated in Havana. Insurgents are surrounding the city and also areas of Santa Clara, slowed by the arrival of United States troops on the Denver. Estrada Palma lacks support and is unprepared, and his office under Fernando Andrade is linked to abuses of power and election fraud. Without public support, Assistant Secretary of State Robert Bacon and Taft cannot recommend supporting Estrada Palma, yet insurgents still need to be driven out to protect the Cuban government and its people. A meeting will be held today with liberal leader Alfredo Zayas y Alfonso as well as insurgent leaders. Forcible intervention on the part of the United States cannot be avoided and Roosevelt’s approval is sought to move forward.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-09-21
James Franklin Bell, Chief of Staff of the United States Army, proposes a plan to President Roosevelt to disarm Cuban insurgents. The plan, based on experience in the Philippine-American War, involves discreetly gathering information through American officers in Cuba, with the “consent and cooperation” of Cuban President Tomás Estrada Palma.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-08-30
Secretary of War Taft updates President Roosevelt on the political situation in Cuba, which may necessitate intervention by the United States. Taft has been in communication with Cuban Secretary Rafael Montalvo. Taft includes the text of a telegram from President Roosevelt to Cuban President Tomás Estrada Palma, as modified by Taft, and Estrada Palma’s response, insisting that he cannot remain at the head of the government on the foundation proposed by Taft and Roosevelt.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-09-26