Disarmament

President Roosevelt holds a big stick as he steps on the footprints of “government evils” and says, “Me for disarmament? No!” A raccoon behind him holds a stick with an exposed nail in the top of it and says, “Naw!!”

comments and context

Comments and Context

Artist Charles M. Payne created a virtual textbook example of an effective political cartoon in this example from the Pittsburgh Times — handsome simplicity, clever use of multiple icons, and faithful reference to pertinent news of the moment. President Roosevelt uses his “Big Stick” not just in international diplomacy, but in domestic politics, pursuing wrong-doers and government corruption.

President Roosevelt enjoyed his visit with Viscount James Bryce and reminisces about when Bryce stayed at the White House several years prior. Roosevelt believes the question of disarmament is “full of difficulties” and wants to avoid raising “high anticipation as will ensure disappointment” with the upcoming National Arbitration and Peace Congress. He wasn’t impressed with Jamaica Governor James Alexander Swettenham’s message and compares his dealings with him to that of Henry Wolcott Bowen, former Ambassador of Venezuela. Roosevelt is pleased that the Santo Domingo treaty was ratified by Congress and is overall satisfied with the number of other legislative measures he managed to pass.    

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-02-28

President Roosevelt sends Ambassador White a letter detailing some of his thoughts on reductions of armaments with the caveat that while White may use the letter when speaking with officials, he must realize that what Roosevelt writes is “tentative and suggestive,” and neither binding Roosevelt nor the United States to any official position. While Roosevelt agrees with British Secretary of War R. B. Haldane that it would be good to put limits on the growth of militaries, he does not think the United States can reduce its army or navy because of their already small size. He clarifies his relations with German Emperor William II, explaining that contrary to Haldane’s assumption his influence over him is very limited, and he does not know if he would be able to convince him of anything. Roosevelt is additionally hesitant about a policy of disarmament coming soon, and believes that while it may be possible to someday reduce armies and navies, he thinks that at present it would be “a great misfortune for the free peoples to disarm and leave the various military despotisms and military barbarians armed.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-08-14

Secretary of State Root understands President Roosevelt’s selection of James Buchanan Aleshire for appointment as Quartermaster General. Root has returned Henry Cabot Lodge’s letter about Harvard’s commencement. Regarding the work of the Hague, Root reports that the armament question will be shelved. The United States delegates to the Hague have asked for instruction on two matters: the form of the contract debt provisions and voting on a declaration of war.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-07-08

United States Ambassador to the United Kingdom Reid comments on Winston Churchill’s recent promotion to the Privy Council, noting that it acknowledges his rise in the party without giving him a seat in the Cabinet. Churchill is still not well liked. Reid relays the debates on Horace Curzon Plunkett in the House of Commons and reports on English newspaper coverage of Roosevelt’s speech at Jamestown. He comments on unease over labor relations in France, the planning of an event after the Colonial Premiers’ Conference, opposition to a proposed move for a limitation of armaments at the Hague Conference, and Lewis Harcourt’s proposed English Land Bill.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-05-01

Secretary of War Taft updates President Roosevelt with the latest news regarding the disarmament of Cuban rebels. Taft worries about bitterness between different factions and wants troops on the ground to enforce the peace. Taft has sent Frank Maximilian Steinhart to negotiate peace in Cienfuegos and he expects to leave Cuba with Robert Bacon on the USS Louisiana (BB-19) the same day that Charles E. Magoon and General James Franklin Bell are expected to arrive.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-10-08

Secretary of War Taft writes about the progress of rebel disarmament as the American occupation of Cuba begins. He reports on the condition of the weapons and horses received and difficulties in transfer because of misunderstandings due to language. He faults himself for not providing closer supervision.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-10-07

Provisional Governor Taft updates President Roosevelt on the progress of disarmament in Cuba. Frederick Funston is not as effective in managing the details of disarmament as Taft had hoped. Taft does not want to avoid responsibility for some of the mistakes, but feels that Funston lacks capacity as an executive. There is also some delay in dismissing the militia because of corruption. Secretary of State Elihu Root’s publication of the correspondence between the United States Government and former Cuban President Tomás Estrada Palma has caused surprise among the Moderate Party in Cuba.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-10-06

Updating from Cuba, Secretary of War Taft reports that the yellow fever situation is not cause for alarm. Disarmament and surrenders are taking place all over the island, with expected difficulties in the process. Many of the insurgents have just gone home and the prospect of peace is strong.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-10-05

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

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.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-09-29

John St. Loe Strachey thanks President Roosevelt for his letter, with which he agrees. Strachey does not understand how people think civil liberties do not need protecting. He worries that autocrats like Napoleon will feed on people’s unwillingness to stand up for what is right. Strachey hopes that they will meet again in October when he visits.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-09-21

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.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-09-20

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.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-08-30

Andrew Carnegie agrees with President Roosevelt on disarmament, although he recognizes that it will be difficult to formulate a satisfactory plan. Carnegie says Roosevelt’s declaration that the United States does not seek to increase the present Navy but only to maintain it will be the great force making for agreement. Carnegie criticizes the practice of failing to give previous notice of war before attacking, and presents the “League of Peace” idea as the easiest and best solution. He encourages Roosevelt to be the one to formally propose it, as the United States is the only great power “free from international jealousies.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-08-27

Ambassador White is returning to Italy after having visited England, where President Roosevelt was unanimously praised. White thinks King Edward VII of Great Britain may be somewhat jealous of Roosevelt supplanting him as “the great peacemaker of the world.” White had a substantial conversation with British Secretary of War R. B. Haldane wherein Haldane stated his belief that Roosevelt and the United States may be able to influence the world to accept a global reduction of armaments. White will go shooting with King Victor Emmanuel III of Italy soon, and will try to get a sense of his views on the matter of disarmament as well. White has so far avoided making any sort of comment about Roosevelt’s views on the matter, but asks what his thoughts are.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-07-30

P. M. Brown tells Secretary of State Root that Cuban President Tomás Estrada Palma accepts in principle the proposals for peace, but has reservations and conditions.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-07-13

Second Assistant Secretary of State Adee advises President Roosevelt to consent to the Russian war ship Lena‘s request to dock for repairs in San Francisco provided the Russians agree to disarmament of the ship, docking in San Francisco until the conclusion of the conflict, US custody of the ship while in the harbor, and Russian responsibility for the costs of repairs.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-09-15

The editorial columns of Leslie’s Weekly address numerous topics in a number of highlighted columns. These include predicting that enthusiasm for William Jennings Bryan’s 1908 candidacy for the presidential election will wane, reporting on the progress of Secretary of State Elihu Root’s trip to South America, commenting that attacks on President Roosevelt’s veracity in the railway-rate-bill discussion have been mild compared to past presidents, and examining the proposition of global disarmament.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-08-09

William Lawrence Merry, United States Plenipotentiary to Costa Rica, Nicaragua, and El Salvador, informs Secretary of State Root that disarmament of El Salvador will be completed shortly. He believes it would be advisable to visit Nicaragua and from there return to Costa Rica, and asks for permission to do so.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-07-26