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Secretary of War William H. Taft tells two men standing on the island of Cuba, “Now quit scrapping and stop your foolin’.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-10
Secretary of War Taft sends President Roosevelt the agreement that the Cuban revolutionary committee signed. Cuban President Tomás Estrada Palma approves of the proclamation. Taft believes there will be problems in disbanding the militia.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-09-29
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
Assistant Secretary of State Adee instructs William Loeb to ensure that President Roosevelt is aware of the importance of Mark Rolla Spellman’s telegram. The local insurgents at Cienfuegos intend to disregard the announced “suspension of hostilities.” Adee suggests that orders should go directly to the Navy Department from Oyster Bay.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-09-18
Chargé d’affaires Sleeper informs Secretary of State Root of recent encounters between government and rebel forces in Cuba. Hope and the possibility of peace have followed President Roosevelt’s recently published letter regarding American intervention.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-09-15
Chargé d’affaires Sleeper sends William Loeb a copy of his telegram to Secretary of State Elihu Root. Sleeper reports there was no guard at the legation. He will request one if the situation becomes critical.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-09-14
Chargé d’affaires Sleeper updates Secretary of State Root on the situation in Cuba which is “growing more critical hourly.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-09-14
Several items from the editorial page of the Commercial Advertiser are highlighted. They include comments on the current gridlock in the Senate, the Michigan Republican State Convention, which endorsed President Roosevelt’s policies, and a criticism of Secretary of War Elihu Root’s response to new information about an insurgency in the Philippines. An article from the Chattanooga Times criticizes the New Orleans Picayune’s criticism of Roosevelt’s social equality platform.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-03-07
President Roosevelt thanks Senator Lodge for the letter informing him and his wife about their son, Ted, who does not write home often enough. Roosevelt wrote to Ted an “earnest and truthful” letter about his “folly.” Roosevelt also informs Lodge of the meeting in Cuba between Secretary of War William H. Taft, First Assistant Secretary of State Robert Bacon, and Cuban President Tomas Estrada Palma. The temporary agreement for a provisional government with military support from the United States will help secure peace while Cuba begins self-government. Roosevelt hopes this will secure Cuba’s liberty, and any future policy will be in the “permanent interests of both Cuba and the United States.” Roosevelt also has acted to “prevent hurt” to the Republican nominees in the upcoming state elections, particularly in New York, and New York City. Wealthy business men, like William Randolph Hearst, and “Bourbon reactionaries” are running for office to gain political power, not for the “have-nots,” but to deflect regulations on their wealth. Roosevelt believes Charles Evans Hughes is the right man to run against Hearst for governor, as he will enact progressive reforms with a fair mind.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-10-01
President Roosevelt relays to General Dodge his stance on the recent actions taken by Secretary of War William H. Taft during his visit to Cuba. Roosevelt states he did not send Taft to Cuba until Cuban President Tomás Estrada Palma’s choice to resign was clear. Although Sir William Cornelius Van Horne and Mr. Menduley believe military control of Cuba is possible, Van Horne also states that “the Island is perfectly adapted to guerrilla warfare and…ten men to one would be required to suppress the insurrection and a great many lives would be lost doing it.” Roosevelt agrees that the cost of life is too great for the United States to hold Cuba by military force. Influential members of the Foreign Affairs Committee, Senator Joseph Benson Foraker, Senator Eugene Hale, and Senator Henry Cabot Lodge also believe in resisting more conflict and believe it is in best interest to “let the Cubans govern themselves.” However, Roosevelt believes the possibility of continued unrest in Cuba could sway public opinion and bring congressional support for future intervention from the United States.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-10-01
Cuban chargé d’affaires Sleeper informs Secretary of State Root that the expected armed uprising has occurred in two Cuban provinces. Sleeper lists the strength of the rebel forces and their leaders, noting that the Rural Guard has had defectors. As nearly half of the Guard’s members are disaffected with their leadership, President Tomás Estrada Palma has called for 2,000 more soldiers. To date, the insurgents have merely committed petty crimes, but while no serious fighting has occurred, they have entrenched in a church near Pinar del Rio’s capital. Dr. Juan F. O’Farrill, the acting Secretary of Government, feels Venezuela can fully cope with the situation, and while Sleeper feels the situation is more serious than O’Farrill admits, he agrees that the nation should be able to “crush the revolt with the resources at its disposal.” He encloses several pertinent newspaper clippings.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-08-21
Bertrand W. Sinclair describes his trip throughout Mexico to Theodore Roosevelt, including the effects the insurgents are having on both Mexican and American citizens in Mexico. Sinclair does not view General Madera as an effective leader. Sinclair asks Roosevelt to send an autographed picture to his host, M. A. Leach.
William Henry Hudson Southerland reports to the Bureau of Navigation that revolutionary leaders in Santo Domingo have accepted the government’s terms and will surrender tomorrow.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-10-10
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.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
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.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-10-07
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.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-10-05
In a confidential telegram to President Roosevelt, Secretary of War Taft expresses his concern that General Frederick Funston is not the right commander for the job in Cuba. The Cuban rebels do not respond to Funston. They need a more diplomatic leader like General James Franklin Bell.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-10-03
Secretary of War Taft updates President Roosevelt on a number of matters concerning the American occupation of Cuba, the establishment of the Cuban provisional government, and disarmament of the insurgents. Taft reports that disarmament is going smoothly, and that in “four or five days,” the insurgents will have complied with the orders. The United States have created a provisional government. Taft believes that Cuban President Tomás Estrada Palma is a good man and one of “two or three men in politics in Cuba who is absolutely honest,” but notes that Estrada Palma is not politically talented. Taft also addresses problems that American liberals and moderates have with the compromise that has been set up in Cuba, and offers justifications against a government investigation. Taft notes that it will not be possible to hold a free and fair election until June. He is frustrated that the Associated Press quoted him regarding matters in Cuba without his permission. Taft encloses a speech he gave at the university that offers justification for the Americans’ presence in Cuba. Taft also offers justifications for American intervention in Cuba and discusses the merits of maintaining a provisional government via the Platt Amendment.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-10-03
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.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
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.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-09-29