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Secretary of War Root congratulates the newly organized Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines on the important steps they have taken “for the interest of their country.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-07-30
James Augustine McFaul encloses a Catholic pamphlet criticizing the Taft Commission, and cautions President Roosevelt against mentioning the Philippines in an upcoming speech.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-07-28
Ray Stannard Baker congratulates General Wood on his Army promotion. He mentions an unfair article in The Sun and Wood’s work in the Philippines. Baker also writes about his lunch with President Roosevelt.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-07-21
William H. Taft informs Elihu Root that he is granting the privilege to provide transportation for twelve clergy of the English Catholic theological seminary to the Philippines.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-07-23
The memorandum discusses the boundaries of U.S. sovereignty in the Philippines, and reviews the sequence of events in early 1903 asserting that sovereignty.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-07-23
Friar O’Reilly writes to President Roosevelt about a situation in the Philippines. O’Reilly states that Governor Taft does not look out for the friars’ interests, and he encloses a letter based on these concerns.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-07-23
William H. Taft, Civil Governor of the Philippines, addresses the Governor of Oriental Negros Demetrio Larena concerning the forced expulsion of Spanish friar Claudio Argote by angry mobs in Bais City and in Dumaguete City in the Philippines.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-07-23
The main Philippines question that interests American Catholics is the proposed government purchase of the holdings of the religious corporations. Richard Campbell believes that the whole future of church-state relations on the islands depends on the solution to this issue. The friars are demanding exorbitant prices and the papal delegate, Monsignor Giovanni Battista Guidi, appears to lack the authority to force a settlement. There is often violence against the religious corporations as they are viewed as an extension of the old Spanish administration. Campbell found many faults with the Spanish administration but compliments them on bringing and maintaining Christianity in the Philippines. He believes that the new bishops will be the key to handling the land purchases and the church will decide what to do with the friars. The general conditions of the islands are well and Campbell compliments the work of Governor Taft, Vice Governor Wright, and Commissioner Ide.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-09-30
Father Vattmann discusses his audience with Pope Leo XIII and other Catholic dignitaries, especially concerning information he had learned during his stay in the Philippines. Vattmann expresses disappointment among military that Colonel William Spencer McCaskey has not been promoted to Brigadier General.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-07-24
George W. Davis reports travel problems concerning various steamships and provides projected dates concerning arrival.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-07-12
John Hay expresses concern that diplomat William Woodville Rockhill may be reassigned to the Philippines. Hay also comments on the strike in Colombia.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-07-13
Eugene A. Philbin writes to President Roosevelt to discuss several concerns related to the Catholic Church in the Philippines, including the loyalty of American and Filipino bishops. Philbin thanks Roosevelt and Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt for their hospitality last Saturday.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-07-14
Secretary of War Root encloses a report from General George W. Davis regarding the Division of the Philippines.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-07-07
In the first telegram sent across the Pacific from the Philippines to the United States, Governor Taft congratulates President Roosevelt on the completion of the Pacific cable. Easier communications will lead to a closer union and better understanding between the Philippines and the United States. Taft ends with a plea to reduce the tariff on Filipino products.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-07-04
Justice McDonough reflects on his first three months in the Philippines. He tells President Roosevelt of his surprise at the “remarkable progress” there and remarks how much the natives like Governor William H. Taft. In general, McDonough finds the Filipinos to be hard workers, and a “happy, clean, sober, virtuous, family-loving and religious people.” He also shares his thoughts on the Catholic friars in the Philippines. As much as they are criticized, McDonough praises the “great good” they have achieved in religion and education over the last three centuries and sees them as potential allies in assuring Filipino cooperation with the American government. Still, the friars’ land ownership is widely resented by the Filipino people, who McDonough feels would look more favorably on the friars’ work if these lands were acquired by the government. Presently, the friars complain of discrimination at the hands of barrio officials who even prevent them from ministering to those who have requested it. McDonough will do what he can to ensure that clergymen of every denomination are given equal protection under the law and to bring about an “amicable settlement” in the land matter, even if that means paying more than the land is worth.
Governor Taft reviews monetary issues in the Philippines and asks a question about the Coinage Law. He is concerned about losing Mr. Holm, Chief of the Bureau of Coast Guard, Transportation, and Lighthouses. Holm would like to stay and his supervision of the construction of the marine railway dock is important to the government.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-07-01
Secretary of War Root expresses his opposition to President Roosevelt’s decision to revoke the order sending Captain Hiram Martin Chittenden to the Philippines and instead allowing him to continue his work in Yellowstone. He argues that allowing one person to be relieved of such duty is demoralizing to the many people who do not want to deploy to the Philippines but are ordered to go anyway. In addition, it goes against the policy that Root has been pursuing that requires regular changes in officer duty locations.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-05-16
General Davis responds to General Miles’s report regarding military matters in the Philippines. He comments in particular on military action against the Moros, health issues, troop morale, logistics, and accommodations for military personnel.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-05-17
Governor Taft provides an update on recent events in the Philippines; including a trip to Benguet, a difficult drought, and census results. He congratulates President Roosevelt on his work as President and expects the American people to support and reelect him.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-06-05
Secretary of War Root encloses a copy of comments by Governor General of the Philippines William H. Taft regarding the complaints made by B. F. Mellor and Bert. R. Dorr in relation to the libel and sedition cases in the Philippines.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-04-18