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Samuel Montgomery Roosevelt thanks President Roosevelt for his letter. He will send a copy to his nephew Henry L. Roosevelt, and he is sure Henry will be willing to wait for a more opportune time to request leave.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-03-22
Erving Winslow criticizes President Roosevelt by asking how people who disapprove of the party platform are supposed to effectively dissent. Winslow believes that Roosevelt has inaccurately labeled dissenters as “cowards and weaklings” and asks how they are supposed to disapprove otherwise, other than foment a revolution. Winslow also criticizes Roosevelt’s depreciation of the anti-imperialists. He refers to a statement by Secretary of War William H. Taft, crediting the criticism of anti-imperialist opponents for whatever good was to be found in the administration in the Philippines.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-02-24
Consul Murphy reports to William Loeb a perception arising in France that the United States and Japan may go to war. In a recent meeting with Sir Thomas Barclay, international lawyer, Barclay detailed a conversation he had some time ago with a Japanese businessman. The latter said Japan was looking to “pick a quarrel with” a weaker nation, to gain prestige for Japan, and that Spain would have been a candidate, with control of the Philippines the pretext for contention. Barclay believes that the seizure of the Philippines by the United States delayed that plan, but that Japan still looks to take the Philippines.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-02-07
General Wood asks Secretary of War Taft if he might retain his position in the Philippines until after Taft’s visit to the islands, “if practicable.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-02-02
Chief Engineer Stevens was surprised to learn of Chairman Shonts’s resignation and President Roosevelt’s acceptance. He had understood that Roosevelt was not going to take action without consulting Stevens. Stevens does not desire to be the only one in charge of the Panama Canal construction; he had wanted the post in the Philippines instead and only accepted the position in Panama reluctantly. Stevens wanted to be in charge of construction and not a political actor. He complains that his salary is too low and the “honor” of the position is not enough. Stevens worries that the upcoming election might change the plan for construction, and he expresses particular concern for the future of the Republican party. He argues on behalf of the Isthmian Commission. He is not anxious to continue in the service, and wishes to return to railroad work.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-01-30
General Wood needs to take a leave of absence to take his son home to the United States to put him into school at Groton Academy, and details his plans for travel during his absence. Wood encloses a response from Adjutant General Fred C. Ainsworth authorizing Wood’s return home. Wood is glad to continue on duty in the Philippines and considers it the best command in the service.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-01-18
Rear Admiral Mahan is very worried about reports that claim U. S. Naval ships will be situated in the Pacific. Fearing U. S. forces are vastly inferior to Japan’s, Mahan posits that war with Japan could devolve into a very poor situation for the United States. Should warfare with Japan commence, the United States’ ties to the Philippines and Hawaii might be in danger.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-01-10
Lyman Abbott is not sure what the United States government can do in the cases of the Armenians or the Congo Free State, but believes there is “a real power” in international public opinion. Abbott believes that giving the Japanese suffrage now would put the control of Hawaii in their hands and doubts the wisdom of it for the same reason he doubts the wisdom of giving political control of the Philippines to the Filipinos. Abbott also gives his opinion that Reed Smoot’s religious beliefs as a Mormon should not exclude him from the Senate, unless his allegiance to the Church is “above” his allegiance to the Constitution.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-01-08
Index of key points and quotes from Prescott Ford Jernegan’s A Short History of the Philippines, with remarks and notes by the compiler.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906
Secretary of War Taft forwards to President Roosevelt a cable from Governor-General of the Philippines James Francis Smith, which explains that sympathizers abroad plan on demanding the immediate decolonization of the Philippines by the United States. However, Taft is unconcerned.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-12-19
George Otto Trevelyan writes to President Roosevelt about Panama and the Philippines, drawing parallels with Macaulay’s histories and Ancient Rome. Trevelyan discusses the British diplomatic service and his latest work on the American Revolution. He also describes a recent visit from Charles Francis Adams and his wife, and he muses on what it is like to be old. Trevelyan writes of their shared love of English literature, mentioning Milton, Chaucer, and W. W. Jacobs.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-12-12
Architect La Farge writes to Secretary of War Taft regarding the progress of the construction of gun emplacements. La Farge keeps Taft updated about the Quartermaster Department’s plans concerning the layout and construction of buildings, barracks, and stores.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-06-16
Albert P. Wright writes to President Roosevelt upon hearing that someone told Roosevelt he had a drinking problem, which Wright states he does not. Wright discusses the difficulties in the Philippines, especially in regard to conflict between Filipinos and Americans. He openly divulges his antipathy for the Filipinos on the island.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-06-15
Lieutenant Governor Guild asks President Roosevelt if he will have time to grant an interview to Alleyne Ireland, an “expert on Tropical Colonization.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-02-07
Secretary of War Taft jokingly tells President Roosevelt that he was unaware that the president had received a medal of honor from the Philippines Exposition of the 1904 St. Louis World’s Fair and that the president is of now the same class as Taft’s wife Helen and everyone on the Philippine Islands. Taft says he could not have stopped Dr. Gustav Niederlein’s reckless awarding of medals and would be glad to talk to Roosevelt about it later.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-02-06
Secretary of War Taft encloses a letter from Dr. T. H. Pardo de Tavera showing the difficulty of relations with the Philippines and suggests it shows the necessity of Taft visiting the island. Also included is a statement describing the effects of internal revenue laws on the tobacco and alcohol industries.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-01-19
The Committee on Ways and Means will meet next week and take up the issue of duties on sugar and tobacco for the Philippines.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-01-18
Joseph B. Potter informs William Loeb that he and the other members of his branch of the Grand Army of the Republic are not in favor of the Service Pension Bill. Potter clarifies that they do not believe a service pension is wrong per se, but they want to “build the Canal and improve America and the Philippines first.” Until then, they are opposed to “all efforts to give Medals of Honor for bravery to those who were not brave” and pensions “for wounds to those who were not wounded.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-01-16
Iliver Edwards tells David B. Mulliken that he found Co. I, 6th Infantry, at San Carlos, Negros, in excellent condition when he relieved him in 1900.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-01-12
William Loeb suggests President Roosevelt ask for a meeting with Representative Sulzer. Unlike Representative J. W. Babcock, Sulzer has voiced his support for Roosevelt’s policies on the “Philippine tariff.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-01-08