Philippines

Letter from William Lawrence to Theodore Roosevelt

Bishop Lawrence writes on behalf of the Annual Meeting of the Convention of the Protestant Episcopal Church which is concerned about the poor treatment of the Filipinos by the US Army. He encloses a portion of a speech given at the annual meeting by the himself, Bishop of Massachusetts, regarding the poor treatment of Filipinos. He encourages an investigation, arguing that it is important for the standing of the army in America and the Philippines. He points out that this treatment is a black mark against the government, in spite of much good that is being done.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-05-01

Letter from Henry Cabot Lodge to Theodore Roosevelt

Senator Lodge returns a letter from John Elliott regarding Gallego immigration to an island (Cuba). Lodge believes their immigration would be valuable to the island. He also discusses some of the troubles that he is having getting the Philippine bill through. Lodge wants permission to use Elliott’s letter in debate on the Senate floor.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-05-03

Letter from Jacob Gould Schurman to Carl Schurz

President Schurman of Cornell University has been nominated by an unnamed volunteer agency to investigate military operations in the Philippines and reports of atrocities against the Filipinos. Schurman declines due to his duties as president of Cornell University, which are especially heavy during the spring, and because he believes the government is investigating adequately on its own. He argues that there is no additional information that an independent commission could uncover in light of all of the outcry in the nation over the situation in the Philippines.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-05-03

Letter from Jacob Gould Schurman to Theodore Roosevelt

President Schurman of Cornell encloses a letter he wrote to Carl Schurz declining an appointment to a committee to investigate alleged atrocities in the Philippines. Schurman believes that with President Roosevelt in control the investigation will receive appropriate treatment.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-05-06

Telegram from Adna Romanza Chaffee to Henry Clark Corbin

Information on court martial or trials in the Philippines. Of special interest is the court martial of Jacob H. Smith. Lloyd Wheaten and J. Franklin Bell have overwhelming duties keeping up with this trial because they have to get witnesses from Samar, Leyte, and the United States.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-04-26

Letter from Grenville M. Dodge to Elihu Root

Grenville M. Dodge is upset at the upcoming court martial of three army officers; Major E. F. Glenn, Lieutenant Arthur L. Conger, and Surgeon Palmer Lyon. They are being charged with torturing an insurgent/traitor with the “water cure” in the Philippines. Dodge seems to believe that almost any action is allowed when the ultimate goal is to catch a traitor or protect American soldiers. He argues that had officers found Quantrill in their lines during the Civil War or had President Roosevelt found someone similar in their lines during the Spanish-American War, they would have killed them on the spot.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-04-16

Letter from Oscar S. Straus to Theodore Roosevelt

Oscar S. Straus, who has experience as a United States diplomat to Muslims in Turkey, cautions against an upcoming American military expedition against the Moros, Filipino Muslims, of the southern Philippines. He argues that diplomacy would be a much better option and would cost much less in terms of life. Straus will be in Washington from April 21 to 25 for a meeting of the American Social Science Association and hopes to call on President Roosevelt at the White House.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-04-17

Telegram from Francis Blackwell Forbes to Henry Cabot Lodge

Francis Blackwell Forbes wants Senator Lodge to speak with President Roosevelt about the possible outbreak of hostilities with “Philippine mahematans,” i.e. the Moros. Forbes believes diplomatic action would suffice and fears the consequences of a religious war.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-04-18

Letter from Nathaniel Henchman Davis to Theodore Roosevelt

Nathaniel Henchman Davis is sending a .45 caliber Winchester rifle that President Roosevelt had requested. Davis believes this rifle to be perfect for large game. He also suggests that Governor Taft should have a longer vacation from his duties in the Philippines and lose weight due to poor health. Although Taft could probably return safely, his doctor recommends a longer break.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-04-19

Letter from Jacob A. Riis to Theodore Roosevelt

Riis enclosed a document from Mrs. Lowell that pertains to the Philippines. Riis calls Lowell his conscience in terms of the Philippines. He only got a begrudged agreement from her, that all would come out alright with Roosevelt at the helm, but now she has come out strongly [in support of Roosevelt’s actions]. Riis feels that hers is the general Eastern opinion, and others will follow her lead if they do not already hold as she does.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-04-19

Letter from S. S. McClure to George B. Cortelyou

S. S. McClure thinks it would be a good idea to send Lincoln Steffens to Puerto Rico and Cuba to show the good that the United States has done for these two islands. Also, due to the high interest in the Philippines and the upcoming Congressional investigation, McClure offers to send a well respected man to the Philippines to “get at the truth.” He then covers a few options for who should be sent, including university presidents like Woodrow Wilson.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-04-22

The Philippine issue

Newspaper article on the reaction to atrocities in the Philippines being carried out by American soldiers. The article questions whether a military inquiry will suffice and suggests that Secretary of War Elihu Root may need to resign.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-04-16

Letter from Ronald P. Gleason to Fred W. Atkinson

Ronald P. Gleason discusses supply problems at various trade schools throughout the Philippines. Demand is high for these schools and several other locations have expressed interest and offered resources for establishing new schools. Gleason lists some of the requisitions for industrial supplies made by the industrial schools, as well as some commitments made by various areas in the Philippines for these schools.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-04-09

Letter from William Michael Byrne to Theodore Roosevelt

William Michael Byrne is convinced that a “firm and conservative treatment of my theme” will be “productive of good.” This is in regard to an earlier letter in which Byrne discussed a speech on the situation in the Philippines with President Roosevelt.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-04-14

Letter from William Michael Byrne to Theodore Roosevelt

William Michael Byrne would like a meeting with President Roosevelt to discuss Philippine affairs and the Committee on the Philippines in order to better shape a speech he is scheduled to deliver in New York. Byrne argues that allegations by Colorado Senator Thomas M. Patterson of anti-Catholic attitudes by the United States government in the Philippines were unfounded.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-04-14

Summary of letter from William Michael Byrne

William Michael Byrne encloses the abstract of a speech he will deliver in New York, in which he will discuss the government’s policy in the Philippines. Byrne would like a meeting with President Roosevelt to help shape his remarks.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-04-14

Letter from Secretary of Theodore Roosevelt to Joseph M. Dixon

Theodore Roosevelt’s secretary encloses a letter from W. H. Phipps regarding the two delegates from the Philippines.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-03-23

Letter from Horace Adolphus Taylor to George B. Cortelyou

Assistant Secretary Taylor denies Frank Morrison’s complaint that he has spoken disparagingly of Filipino workers and supported admitting more Chinese workers into the Philippines. He encloses a letter from Ira Bennett that refutes Morrison’s statements. Taylor only opposed one aspect of the Chinese Exclusion bill, the required registration and issuing of certificates to Chinese laborers. At Taylor’s suggestion, this provision has been removed from the bill.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-04-01

Letter from Oswald Garrison Villard to Theodore Roosevelt

Oswald Garrison Villard comments on General Nelson Appleton Miles, whose critical remarks concerning military conduct in the Philippines have sparked controversy.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-04-03

Letter from Adna Romanza Chaffee to Henry Clark Corbin

General Chaffee requests that General Bell’s new assignment be postponed for one year. Chaffee thinks highly of Bell and would like him to remain at his position in the Philippines.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-03-22