Hawaii--Pearl Harbor

Letter from James F. J. Archibald to Theodore Roosevelt

James F. J. Archibald reports to President Roosevelt on the submarine defense of the Pacific Coast and the Hawaiian Islands. Archibald believes America to be “so far behind” other nations in this area of marine warfare—particularly Great Britain, France, and Japan. Upon visiting principal cities and harbors, he finds the Pacific Coast and Hawaiian Islands in a “deplorably defenseless position” and notes that the people living in these areas feel vulnerable because of the large extent of “oriental labor and immigration.” Whereas guns and mines are not ideal defense weapons because of the foggy weather, Archibald feels the Pacific Coast is prime territory for the use of submarines due to the large harbors, climates, and topography of the region. Archibald details the number of submarines and personnel he believes to be needed at each of four geographic locations–the Puget Sound, the mouth of the Columbia River, the San Francisco Bay, and the San Diego Bay–as well as the costs of these fortifications, and he emphasizes that his opinions are shared by military officers and civilian experts.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-01-02

Creator(s)

Archibald, James F. J. (Francis Jewell), 1871-

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to George Edmund Foss

President Roosevelt explains his concerns with the naval bill to Representative Foss of Illinois, chairman of the committee on naval affairs in the House of Representatives. Roosevelt thinks that having marines on fighting ships is unnecessary, but does not think this is the most problematic part of the bill. Rather, Roosevelt argues that provisions preventing the purchase of torpedoes and gunpowder inhibit the Navy’s ability to prepare for war. Roosevelt concludes by urging the speedy construction of a new dock at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, and stresses the importance of keeping the fleet together to best protect the United States.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1909-02-18

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Arthur L. Bates

President Roosevelt is pleased at the news Representative Bates has sent him about the passage of the Pearl Harbor bill.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-04-07

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Joseph Gurney Cannon

President Roosevelt asks Speaker of the House Cannon if it would be possible for Congress to discuss the Pearl Harbor matter in conjunction with the naval bill. Roosevelt says that the United States should have three or four battleships, and that Hawaii should be fortified with a dock constructed there as well. Roosevelt has been having a difficult time on Cannon’s behalf in connection with the tariff commission, so he hopes that Cannon will look favorably upon this request.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-03-23

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to President of the Joint Army and Navy Board

President Roosevelt directs the President of the Joint Army and Navy Board that he would like action regarding the fortification of Honolulu and Pearl Harbor, with the aim of establishing a naval base there.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-03-03

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to James Franklin Bell

President Roosevelt writes to General James Franklin Bell regarding the fortification of Hawaii. Representative Walter Inglewood Smith has told Roosevelt that the government had purchased two parcels of land in Hawaii that are currently unused, and says that if this is true, it emphasizes his point that the War Department and Navy Department must carefully consider their requests if they want Congress to pay attention to them. Roosevelt instructs that there must be a clear plan for what must be done with regards to military fortifications in Hawaii.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-03-02

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Joseph Gurney Cannon

President Roosevelt tells Speaker of the House Cannon that it is not possible or wise for him to put everything that he feels on paper. Roosevelt nevertheless says that he is not acting with an eye to an emergency that may occur in the next couple years, but rather one that may arise in the next decade or two. He believes that the current legislative session should do everything possible to fortify Hawaii and provide for the construction of four battleships.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-02-29

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Charles W. Fairbanks

President Roosevelt provides Vice President Fairbanks with details explaining why it is urgent that Congress act quickly to appropriate funding for coastal defenses of several areas in and around the Pacific. Roosevelt explains both the current situation of defenses in Manila Bay, Pearl Harbor, and the Pacific Coast of the United States, as well as the plans that are currently in place to improve these defenses. He asks Fairbanks to try to expedite the process of providing funding for these purposes.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-02-21

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Joseph Gurney Cannon

President Roosevelt provides Speaker of the House Cannon with details explaining why it is urgent that Congress act quickly to appropriate funding for coastal defenses of several areas in and around the Pacific. Roosevelt explains both the current situation of defenses in Manila Bay, Pearl Harbor, and the Pacific Coast of the United States, as well as the plans that are currently in place to improve these defenses. He asks Cannon to try to expedite the process of providing funding for these purposes.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-02-21

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to William H. Taft

President Roosevelt directs Secretary of War Taft to have the Joint Board to provide him with a plan elaborating what the United States should do regarding its defenses of Hawaii, particularly looking at fortifying Pearl Harbor or Honolulu. Roosevelt feels that conversations on a similar topic relating to the defense of the Philippines were one-sided, and have caused harm to the United States by recommending the construction of fortifications at Subic Bay, when such fortifications are not defensible by land, but only by sea. In addition to the plan he has requested, Roosevelt also directs that Taft and Secretary of the Navy Victor Howard Metcalf investigate the actions of the previous board in recommending Subic Bay.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-02-11

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Victor Howard Metcalf

President Roosevelt instructs Secretary of the Navy Metcalf that he would like the Joint Board to provide him with a plan elaborating what the United States should do regarding its defenses of Hawaii, particularly looking at fortifying Pearl Harbor or Honolulu. Roosevelt feels that conversations on a similar topic relating to the defense of the Philippines were one-sided, and have caused harm to the United States by recommending the construction of fortifications at Subic Bay, when such fortifications are not defensible by land, but only by sea. In addition to the plan he has requested, Roosevelt also directs that Metcalf and Secretary of War William H. Taft investigate the actions of the previous board in recommending Subic Bay.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-02-11

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Theodore E. Burton

President Roosevelt provides a number of details that he would like Representative Burton to bring to the Committee on Rivers and Harbors as they discuss the possibility of turning Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, into a fortified naval station. Roosevelt believes that constructing a naval base at Pearl Harbor is needed, as it would protect Hawaii and the Pacific Coast of the United States, as well as the other possessions of the United States in the Pacific. He mentions the construction that would have to take place in order to fortify Pearl Harbor.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-01-21

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Walter Inglewood Smith

President Roosevelt provides a number of details that he would like Representative Smith to bring to the Subcommittee on Fortifications of the Committee on Appropriations as they discuss the possibility of turning Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, into a fortified naval station. Roosevelt believes that constructing a naval base at Pearl Harbor is needed, as it would protect Hawaii and the Pacific Coast of the United States, as well as the other possessions of the United States in the Pacific. He mentions the construction that would have to take place in order to fortify Pearl Harbor.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-01-20

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to George C. Perkins

President Roosevelt provides a number of details that he would like Senator Perkins to bring to the Subcommittee on Fortifications of the Committee on Appropriations as they discuss the possibility of turning Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, into a fortified naval station. Roosevelt believes that constructing a naval base at Pearl Harbor is needed, as it would protect Hawaii and the Pacific Coast of the United States, as well as the other possessions of the United States in the Pacific. He mentions the construction that would have to take place in order to fortify Pearl Harbor.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-01-20

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Francis E. Warren

President Roosevelt provides a number of details that he would like Senator Warren to bring before the Committee on Military Affairs as they discuss the possibility of turning Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, into a fortified naval station. Roosevelt believes that constructing a naval base at Pearl Harbor is needed, as it would protect Hawaii and the Pacific Coast of the United States, as well as the other possessions of the United States in the Pacific. He mentions the construction that would have to take place in order to fortify Pearl Harbor. Roosevelt also requests that Warren suggest other committees that would benefit from receiving the facts presented in the letter.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-01-17

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to John A. T. Hull

President Roosevelt provides a number of details that he would like Representative Hull and the Committee on Military Affairs to consider as they discuss the possibility of turning Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, into a fortified naval station. Roosevelt believes that constructing a naval base at Pearl Harbor is needed, as it would protect Hawaii, the Pacific Coast states, and territories of the United States in the Pacific. He mentions the construction that would have to take place in order to fortify Pearl Harbor.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-01-17

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from William H. Taft to Theodore Roosevelt

Secretary of War Taft submits a statement by General Arthur Murray regarding the deficiencies in the monies appropriated for the completion of defenses in the Pacific and on the Pacific Coast. All bureau chiefs agree that the present appropriations must be increased, and the Appropriation Committee’s assertion that the naval committee is not making proper provisions for dredging Pearl Harbor is not enough of a reason to delay the funds. Taft recommends that increased appropriations be added in amendments to the bill.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-03-30

Creator(s)

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

Letter from Victor Howard Metcalf to Theodore Roosevelt

Secretary of the Navy Metcalf forwards President Roosevelt a report from Admiral George Dewey and the Joint Army and Navy Board regarding the defenses of the naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-03-05

Creator(s)

Metcalf, Victor Howard, 1853-1936

Memorandum regarding Pearl Harbor

This memorandum recommends the construction of a naval base in Pearl Harbor. It is imperative that the United States have a naval base in the Pacific to defend its territories, and Pearl Harbor is the best candidate for such a base in Hawaii. Construction of the base will require dredging to straighten the entrance channel, building a dry dock, and erecting land defenses. It is recommended that these steps be undertaken at once.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-01-17

Creator(s)

Unknown

Detailed statement to accompany memorandum for the Secretary of War

A report for Secretary of War Taft outlines the amount of additional money that should be added to appropriations in the fortification bill. The money will account for various fortifications, ordnance, and ammunition to defend locations along the Pacific Coast, as well as in the Philippine and Hawaiian Islands.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-03-27

Creator(s)

Unknown