Estrada Palma, Tomás, 1835-1908

Wright’s Official History of the Spanish-American War

This exhaustively illustrated account of the Spanish-American war seeks to present the official history of the war according to the United States War Records Office. It encompasses the events leading up to the war, the war itself, as well as its resolution and aftermath. While it mentions the various engagements taking place during the war, most of the focus is on Cuba and the action of the United States Navy and Army in fighting Spanish forces there in support of Cuban rebels. It additionally includes general information on the theaters of war, including Cuba, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines.

Collection

Smithsonian

Creation Date

1900

Presidential snapshot (#17): Excerpt of a letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Robert Bacon

President Roosevelt conveys to Assistant Secretary of State Bacon his feeling that the United States will have to intervene in Cuba if the the revolution there is not quelled by the Cuban government. Roosevelt remarks on the incompetence of some American diplomatic officials, and he thinks that the Cuban government needs to be warned that its inaction risks American intervention. 

Collection

Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal

Creation Date

1906-09-10

El gallo canelo – que viva

Cartoon shows a vulture “Comision Especial Ley Reciprocidad Nov. ’02” (Special Commission on Reciprocity, Nov. ’02) looming over a U.S. eagle lying on the ground wearing a tag “Recipocidad Anexionista” (Reciprocity, Annexation). On the left, Tasker Bliss, Cuban President Tomás Estrada Palma, Cuban ambassador to the U.S. Gonzalo de Quesada and U.S. Minister to Cuba Herbert Goldsmith Squiers walk away. On the right Cuban politicians Arocha, Catá, Martinez, Ferrer, Mas, Sanguily and Perez lift their hats in celebration.

Collection

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

Creation Date

1902 or 1903

Amending the treaty Enmendando el tratado.

Cartoon shows a boar “Bliss-Palma Protocolo” being de-tusked by Cuban Secretary of State Manuel Sanguily and “Beet Remolacha.” The de-tusking tools they use are labeled “Art. VII” and “Art. IV” referring to portions of a proposed treaty between the United States and Cuba related to sugar.

Collection

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

Creation Date

1903

The Bliss-Palma idea of equity La idea de equidad de Bliss-Palma.

Cartoon shows a figure of Justice with two heads, those of Special Envoy to Cuba Tasker Howard Bliss and President of Cuba Tomás Estrada Palma. Justice holds a scale “Reciprocidad” (Reciprocity.) On the left are weights labeled “20%,” “5 years,” and “Art. VII prefertial.” On the right are weights labeled “20%,” “5 anos,” and “Art. VII preferencia,” “Articulo IV.” The weights refer to various provisions related to sugar tariffs in a proposed treaty between the United States and Cuba.

Collection

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

Creation Date

1903

Los momentos de la conciencia “aprés mois le deluge” Tomas I y unico

Cartoon shows Cuban President Tomás Estrada Palma sitting in a chair “Ejecutivo” (Executive). He holds a sheet of paper “Bliss-Palma Protocolo Anexionista Art. IV, Art. VIII.” referring to portions of a proposed treaty between the United States and Cuba. Behind the chair Cuban ambassador to the United States Gonzalo de Quesado lurks. Behind Palma looms Salvador Cisneros y Betancourt, a Cuban politician who warned against U.S. imperialism in Cuba.

Collection

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

Creation Date

1903

Requirements for trade expansion Requisitos para el desarrollo comercial.

Cartoon shows President Roosevelt extending a spear “Art. VIII” across the Atlantic to England, Germany and France while Tasker Howard Bliss extends a ribbon (?) “Art IV” to Cuban President Tomás Estrada Palma.

Collection

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

Creation Date

1903

El juego Americano ping-pong Cuando se cansarán?

Cartoon shows Cuban President Tomas Estrada y Palma and Cuban Minister to the U.S. Gonzalo de Quesada playing ping pong on a table labeled “Washington / Havana” with a ball “Tratado reciprocidad Cubana Americana” (Cuban American reciprocity treaty). A man “Monopolio Azucarero Americano” (American Sugar Trust) watches.

Collection

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

Creation Date

1902

Instruccion Diplomatica

Cartoon shows President Tomas Estrada Palma patting the head of Cuban Minister to the U.S. Gonzalo de Quesada while showing him a large piece of paper, “Recuerda que las proposiciones incorrectas para un tratado de reciprocidad comercial conducirán a la pronta anexion de nuestra patria al pais de nuestros buenos amigos” (Remember that incorrect propositions for a treaty of commercial reciprocity soon lead to the annexation of our country to the country of our good friends).

Collection

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

Creation Date

1902

Fragment of a letter to Theodore Roosevelt

In this fragment of a letter, the writer provides President Roosevelt with observations pertaining to the payment of soldiers’ claims after a recent visit to Cuba. Currently, fifty percent of total claims are being paid out of the $35,000,000 loan. The purchased claims are held by speculators in the United States and in Europe. The soldiers are seeking more payment, and two options have been discussed to fix this problem: another loan or a sinking fund. It is believed that the latter would not fall within the meaning of the Platt Amendment.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-12-27

Telegram from Rudolph Forster to William Loeb

Rudolph Forster forwards several cablegrams from charge d’affaires George Brown relating to a peace conference in Central America. Mexico, Guatemala, and Honduras are involved in the conference.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-07-19

Report on Cienfuegos by Frank Ross McCoy

Captain McCoy reports on the feasibility of carrying out the modified Reilly water contract in Cienfuegos, Cuba. Past experiences of Spain and the American Military Government have shown that the best way to carry out contracts in Cuba is to make the central government a party to the contract. Large-scale contracts have only been successful when they are carried out by the central government.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-05-08

Letter from Elihu Root to John Hay

Elihu Root plans to hand-deliver a letter from Speyer & Co. concerning taking the entire issue of $35 million in Cuban bonds.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-02-20

Letter from William H. Taft to Theodore Roosevelt

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.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-09-26

Letter from Maurice Latta to Theodore Roosevelt

Maurice Latta informs President Roosevelt that the congress will not select a successor to Cuban President Tomás Estrada Palma. At the upcoming meeting, Palma will present a letter stating his position on the situation in Cuba.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-09-28

Letter from William H. Taft to Theodore Roosevelt

In a series of telegrams, Secretary of War Taft updates President Roosevelt on the political situation in Cuba and the attempts to elect new government officials.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-09-28

Telegram from William H. Taft to Theodore Roosevelt

Secretary of War Taft updates President Roosevelt on the political situation in Cuba and the attempts to elect new government officials.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-09-28

Telegram from William H. Taft to Theodore Roosevelt

Secretary of War Taft sends President Roosevelt a preliminary proclamation in the event a provisional government is established in Cuba.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-09-28

Telegram from William H. Taft to Theodore Roosevelt

Secretary of War Taft updates President Roosevelt on the attempts to elect new Cuban government officials. He provides the text of the letter that President Tomás Estrada Palma will send. Taft has ordered marines to guard the treasury. If a provisional government is established, Taft suggests including a statement regarding the Cuban flag.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-09-28

Telegram from William H. Taft to Theodore Roosevelt

Secretary of War Taft informs President Roosevelt that efforts to elect Mario Garcí Menocal or Alfredo Zayas y Alfonso failed. Taft had the treasury surrounded by marines and will issue the proclamation.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-09-29