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President Roosevelt reviewed Enrique Loynaz del Castillo’s letter with Governor Charles E. Magoon. Roosevelt believes that Castillo is correct, and has directed Magoon to prepare for evacuation on January 28.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-08-25
A Japanese soldier trains a group of soldiers of various nationalities and ethnicities, including Koreans.
In 1867 radical reforms were untaken in Japanese society. The Meiji Dynasty was restored to power, and in a rapid-fire attempt to join the world (as Admiral Matthew Perry’s “opening” in 1852 had sought), the country underwent radical social, political, military, and even religious adjustments. For instance, the Shinto faith was recognized as prominent, and Buddhism was downplayed, but Confucianism and especially Christianity were respected. Democratic structures were instituted, and a conscious effort to adopt Western ways took place throughout society. A Japanese version of the Industrial Revolution commenced under Meiji.
Mars, the Roman god of war, waits for the establishment of protocols and the Japanese occupation of “Korea” to be completed before the sands in an hourglass shift from “Peace” to “War.” “China” sits quietly on the left. Caption: Mars–Just a little more, and I’ll give that Peace Congress a jolt!
Largely forgotten by much of the world, under the dust of events like the Russo-Japanese War, Japanese aggression in the 1930s, and World War II’s “Pacific Theater,” is the subject of Pughe’s cartoon. Japan’s unrelenting ambitions to dominate Korea reached an important moment in 1904; a treaty between the two royal empires then on the agenda (in Korea’s hopes) at the Peace Conference then convened at the Hague. The treaty was prosaic in its language, Japan respecting, and by assurances, protecting Korea. Yet it was aggression without arms, blackmail, and the establishment of a de facto protectorate by Tokyo.
An eagle labeled “Germany” and the Russian Bear relax after eating. Bones labeled “Shan-Tung” and “Manchuria” lie at their feet. Caption: Russia and Germany — Of course we want peace. It isn’t wise to exercise on a full stomach.
Pughe’s cartoon is a bit disingenuous, or at least only a partial treatment of the Chinese situation in the aftermath of the Boxer Rebellion, but the matter was muddled. In the midst of troop withdrawals and the imposition of punitive indemnities on the Chinese, there was a scramble for lands, ports, and territories. The Empress, faced with reality and desiring to keep her throne, acceded to carve-outs from her nation. It was not only the Russians and Germans who feasted. Russia and Japan, neighbors of China, received the most real estate, and Russia outright occupied Manchuria. Among other countries granted spheres of influence and long-term concessions were Great Britain (Hong Kong), Portugal (Macau), and Japan was even granted control of Taiwan.
Theodore Roosevelt thanks John Campbell Greenway for the telegram. He is distressed at the events on the Mexican-American border that resulted in the death of Americans. Roosevelt would have handled the incident much more aggressively.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-05-12
Theodore Roosevelt was pleased to receive the book but was pained by Edmund von Mach’s inscription. Roosevelt has judged Germany by the facts surrounding the “subjugation of Belgium” and the killing of American citizens at sea. On these points there is no defense of German actions or of American inaction.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-08-06
Theodore Roosevelt requests information about General Funston’s command during his time in Veracruz, Mexico, and promises confidentiality. Roosevelt has heard that during the occupation of Veracruz an American soldier was captured by Mexican insurgents and threatened with execution. Funston then supposedly requested permission for a rescue attempt but was denied.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-03-19
President Roosevelt informs Charles E. Magoon, Occupational Governor of Cuba, that the time is nearing when the United States will need to make plans for the kind of government they should have in place when they leave the island next February. He includes excerpts of letters from German Ambassador Hermann Speck von Sternburg and Sir William Cornelius Van Horne, which offer opinions about what should be done. They suggest the United States maintaining a military presence and advisory presence on the island. Roosevelt has doubts about the feasibility of leaving a temporary military force, and asks Magoon’s views on the matter.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-04-04
President Roosevelt asks Provisional Governor Magoon when the church claims related to Santiago de Cuba will be settled, as he would like to have the matter wrapped up before the end of their time on the island. If Roosevelt can not procure a saddle horse for Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt for Christmas, he will have to impound the basin and pitcher he and Magoon have discussed.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-12-18
President Roosevelt agrees with David Gray that the danger in the Islands is going too fast, not too slow. However, Roosevelt believes that replacing military rule with a civilian administration as quickly as possible was the correct course of action. Roosevelt describes the attacks on the army as “infamous” and felt deep indignation at the conduct of General Miles.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-09-08
Minister Squiers has cabled that the Cuban government is willing to have American troops occupy public lands at Guantanamo pending the final settlement of the coaling station matter. President Roosevelt requests Secretary Root’s opinion.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-03-15
President Roosevelt thanks Edward Everett Hale for sending the sermon by Mr. Cummings. Roosevelt finds it difficult “not to do harm to our brother by pretending to help him.” He asserts that he will not pull American officials out of the Philippines and allow the country to “wallow back into savagery.” Roosevelt struggles to know whether to leave the country alone or interfere, and how much he can and should prevent “interference by others.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1901-12-17
Secretary of War Taft sends to President Roosevelt a confidential letter from Governor Charles Edward Magoon of Cuba.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-10-20
Governor Magoon delivers an update on the occupation of Cuba. He discusses the progress of the insurgent forces, and the yellow fever situation is also improving. He is also working with liberal leaders to remove leftover leaders and electing municipal governments. He ends the telegram with an update on the payment of soldiers’ salaries and other expenses.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-10-15
Captain Beehler sends a letter to Theodore Roosevelt confirming the receipt of a telegram wired on September 18, 1906, concerning the destruction of American property near Cienfuegos.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-09-19
Acting Secretary of State Adee informs William Loeb that a telegram was sent to Mark Rolla Spellman detailing the arrival of the USS Dixie in Cienfuegos with additional Marines to safeguard American property.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-09-18
Acting Secretary of State Adee informs President Roosevelt that chargé d’affaires Jacob Sleeper received a letter from General Enrique Loynaz del Castillo that states he is willing to suspend hostilities provided that the United States does the same. Castillo asks for new elections as a basis for settling the conflict. Adee replied to Sleeper, telling him to let Castillo know that Sleeper has no authority to negotiate with anyone other than the government that is in power.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-09-18
Theodore Roosevelt receives a telegram from the Cuban Foreign Office: “Hostilities stopped. I believe peace is at hand.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-09-17
Judge Advocate General Davis recommends allowing Theodore Roosevelt to execute Article III of the existing treaty with Cuba to restore order to the island without having to get permission from Congress. Davis references the Whiskey Insurrection of Western Pennsylvania 1794 and other cases to make his point.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-09-15
Consul Holaday sends a telegram to Secretary of State Root through William Loeb about the situation in Cuba. Holaday has received reliable information that “at least 500 well-armed men” are in revolt. Provisional Governor Taft denies this information, though he reports smaller groups in certain districts. The marines landing has produced good effect. Holaday asks if he should continue to send reports to the State Department.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-09-14