Your TR Source
Theodore Roosevelt writes his son Kermit to say he is glad to hear about the success of his mountain sheep hunt and that he did not encounter an insurrectos. Roosevelt says his latest book African Game Trails is selling moderately well and he is in futile correspondence with the Smithsonian concerning Kermit’s New Brunswick trip.
1911-08-22
President Roosevelt would prefer to have outright control of the canal route and does not believe that Colombia has the right to permanently “block one of the world’s great highways.” However, Roosevelt cannot express his feelings publicly as this would be taken as an effort to incite an insurrection in Panama. Item includes typewritten and shorthand copy.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-09-10
Theodore Roosevelt agrees that all they can do is “remain in cold storage for a year” and see what happens. They may need to support a third candidate, and Roosevelt does not expect many of their former associates to support them. Roosevelt also feels that Woodrow Wilson and William Jennings Bryan have behaved dreadfully.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-02-26
Attorney General Charles J. Bonaparte showed President Roosevelt Governor Willson’s letter, and Roosevelt agrees that the scenario Willson sets forth is grave. Roosevelt believes that free government cannot exist where there is defiance of the law and mob rule, particularly in the case of such secret societies that Willson has mentioned. The first responsibility for policing this sort of criminality lies with the states, Roosevelt says, but if Kentucky is unable to stop the violence and appeals to the federal government, Roosevelt will send federal troops to help.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-03-06
President Roosevelt informs Governor Sparks of Nevada that he dispatched the troops to Nevada based on the telegram from Sparks, as well as information from Nevada Senators George Stuart Nixon and Francis G. Newlands, and Representative George Arthur Bartlett. There has now been no insurrection. He writes that the troops were sent to what was described as an emergency situation, but he will now be removing them unless there is further proof to justify their involvement, as they are not a substitute for state police function.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-12-17
President Roosevelt discusses his thoughts about the situation in Cuba with Senator Foraker.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-09-28
President Roosevelt forwards Acting Secretary of the Navy Newberry a message from Secretary of War William H. Taft. Out of precaution, Taft and Acting Secretary of State Robert Bacon recommend sending more vessels and personnel to Cuba. Roosevelt directs Newberry to send as many vessels and marines as possible.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-09-24
President Roosevelt informs President of Harvard University Eliot he is speaking at the fiftieth anniversary of the Michigan State Agricultural College on May 31. Before taking stronger action in Cuba, he will do everything in his power to facilitate a peaceful agreement. He will contact Secretary of War William H. Taft about Americans financing revolutionists.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-09-20
President Roosevelt is delighted with the army’s preparations under Secretary of War Taft. He thanks Taft for sending Judge Advocate General George B. Davis’s opinion on the right to intervene in Cuba. However, if intervention is necessary, he would “not dream of asking the permission of Congress.” He regards the treaty as the law and he “shall execute it.” Roosevelt requests Taft give speeches in Colorado and Idaho.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-09-17
Reaffirming his good feelings for Minister Gonzalo de Quesada and Cuba, President Roosevelt warns that Cuban independence is in jeopardy. He admonishes Cuban patriots come together to ensure liberty. As per treaty, the United States has the right to intervene “for the maintenance in Cuba of a government adequate for the protection of life, property and individual liberty.” Roosevelt is sending Secretary of War William H. Taft and Acting Secretary of State Robert Bacon as representatives to render aid.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-09-14
President Roosevelt informs Acting Secretary of State Bacon of the immediate need to act “to protect American interests by fulfilling American obligations to Cuba” as evidenced by the lack of governmental leadership and repeated requests for aid. Seeing the situation as “one of impending chaos,” and finding the usual diplomatic communications useless, the enclosed letter will be sent to Cuban President Tomás Estrada Palma and be published.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-09-14
President Roosevelt heartily congratulates Ambassador to Italy White on his ibex hunt and asks him to thank King of Italy Victor Emmanuel for the report volumes. He shares his frustration over the situation in Cuba.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-09-13
President Roosevelt is impressed by Acting Secretary of State Bacon’s suggestion about Secretary of State Elihu Root and regrets being unable to talk to Root before his departure to Cuba. During Bacon’s upcoming visit, Roosevelt wants to consider the benefit of sending a formal letter to Cuba regarding American intervention. He directs Bacon to work with American Consul General Maximilian Steinhart, as he finds Chargé d’affaires Jacob Sleeper and Minister to Cuba Edwin V. Morgan lacking in their diplomatic posts.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-09-10
President Roosevelt sends his sympathy to George Otto Trevelyan upon the death of his sister, Viscountess Margaret Jean Trevelyan Knutsford. He thanks him for clarifying why many Englishmen distrust former Prime Minister James Arthur Balfour and discusses corruption and military armament. The foreign affairs regarding Newfoundland fishery regulations and civil unrest in Cuba prove frustrating. Roosevelt shares these frustrations with Trevelyan for “the fact that I have to blow off steam.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-09-09
Jacob Sleeper, chargé d’affaires, updates Secretary of State Root on the uprising in Cuba. The veterans have given up their efforts to bring about peace, and President Tomás Estrada Palma is not certain if the government will be able to put down the rebellion although he is hopeful there will be a quorum in the House and Congress. Estrada Palma has pledged to safeguard Americans and their property. In Santa Clara and Pinar del Rio provinces, bridges and culverts have been destroyed. The rebels are now threatening to dynamite train stations.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-09-13
Jacob Sleeper, the chargé d’affaires in Cuba, states that there were no disturbances in Santiago Province, but there have been reports of trouble in Camaguey Province. Sleeper has reliable private information that there will be a meeting between between representatives of the government and liberal party to arrange a basis for settlement.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-09-02
Jacob Sleeper, the chargé d’affaires in Cuba, reports “reliable unofficial information” that a prominent liberal leader has left Havana to meet an insurrectionist leader in Pinar del Rio. The insurrectionist leader will be given the basis for negotiations which were adopted at the conference and a cessation of hostilities will be suggested.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-09-02
Jacob Sleeper, chargé d’affaires in Cuba, updates Secretary of State Root on attempts to quell the insurrection in Cuba. The Cuban government’s offer of amnesty did not have the desired effect, while the rebel forces continue to grow and business owners have become increasingly pessimistic. Sleeper was informed that President Tomás Estrada Palma was strongly opposed to any compromise with the insurrectionists, but he also heard that Estrada Palma is more open to settlement than his public statements suggest. Sleeper describes the efforts of a committee of Cuban veterans to serve as mediators.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-09-01
Jacob Sleeper, chargé d’affaires in Cuba, updates William Loeb about the insurrection in Cuba.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-09-01
Jacob Sleeper, the chargé d’affaires in Cuba, informs Secretary of State Root that the Cuban government’s Amnesty Order had little effect and the rebellion is still active. Sleeper believes that rebel leader Faustino Guerra is waiting for the Cuban government to make the first move, but the government is lacking in men and arms. It is rumored that Colonel Emilio Ávalos y Acosta will attack Guerra’s command near the Bay of Cortez to open up a waterway in case Western Railroad service is interrupted, as Guerra has been threatening to dynamite its bridges. There are rumors of a lack of harmony between the Cuban President and Vice President in regards to patronage and the conduct of the war. Rebel leader Ernesto Asbert is threatening to burn foreign properties unless the government accedes to their demands.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-08-30