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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.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-03-22
Before disposing of the “McSweeney matter,” Eugene A. Philbin wants President Roosevelt to know that McSweeney’s official conduct has the approval of the Protestant societies. He adds that he has something interesting to tell Roosevelt concerning the Catholic side of “the Philippine matter.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-03-26
Governor Odell, Lieutenant Kelly’s father-in-law, explains that he requested Kelly remain posted at West Point out of fear that his daughter and infant grandchild might be ordered overseas. He will withdraw the application if it creates an “undesirable precedent.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-03-27
James Hulme Canfield informs President Roosevelt that General Funston’s speech supporting the administration’s policies in the Philippines left a positive impression and strengthened the administration’s support in New York City.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-03-10
Winslow Warren describes the current policy in the Philippines as “un-American” and believes that the fighting would end if it was made clear that the United States desires the independence of the Philippines. Warren also cautions against trying to “Americanize” the Filipinos.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-02-25
Secretary of War Root believes that the military and civil affairs of the Philippines have been “able and successful.” American sovereignty is being accepted and many former Filipino rebels have accepted positions in the civil government. Root sees no benefit to bringing Cuban or Puerto Rican delegations to the Philippines or bringing a delegation of Filipinos to the United States.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-03-05
Lyman Abbott affirms his support for Christianity and the work of the Catholic Church in the Philippines. However, he believes that the hostility between the friars and Filipinos is impossible to overcome. He sees no advantage for the church retaining the friars in the Philippines.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-02-10
Lyman Abbott reviews his interview with Archbishop Ireland concerning the friar and land controversy in the Philippines. Ireland hopes to use money from the land sales for religious and educational work in the Philippines. He would like the friars retained in the Philippines under the authority of the American Catholic Church.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-02-10
Henry T. Allen, Chief of the Philippines Constabulary, updates Caspar Whitney on the military and political situation in the Philippines.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-02-13
General Miles requests authorization to visit the Philippines accompanied by Cuban and Puerto Rican representatives to promote friendly relations between the United States and the Filipinos.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-02-17
John Brisben Walker offers to accompany President Roosevelt on a ten mile walk and discuss the Philippines problem.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-02-03
Major Waller defends his actions and success in the Philippines. The accusations against him brought by “swivel chair” officials have convinced him that it is time to return home. Waller is not interested in serving as Commandant of the Marine Corps but is willing to end his life “in some far field.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-02-04
Lyman Abbott would like to meet with Governor-General Taft for guidance on the Philippines situation.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-01-24
Fred W. Atkinson requests information on local advisory school boards for a report he is compiling for Commissioner Harris.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-01-24
Senator Lodge discusses a proposed clause in a bill regarding trade with the Philippines. Lodge supports the clause, arguing that it gives preference to American ships and thereby encourages the construction of new ships.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-01-27
Secretary of War Root will bring the correspondence supporting the appointment of Captain Claude E. Sawyer to a judgeship in the Philippines to the attention of Governor-General William H. Taft. Root returns Senator John Lowndes McLaurin’s letter of January 21.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-01-30
Maria Longworth Storer apologizes for the harm she may have caused by informing Cardinal Rampolla of President Roosevelt and William H. Taft’s opinions concerning the Catholic Church and church policy in the United States. Roosevelt had previously expressed concern about a reactionary Church policy that could prove disastrous for Catholic interests and American policy. Storer supports a liberal church policy that she believes will create “honest citizens and loyal patriots.” She does not understand how her actions have harmed Roosevelt.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-01-30
Henry T. Allen replies to the letter from his “good friend” Johnston about a number of professional and private matters. He is currently busy organizing the Philippines Constabulary. Allen is pleased with President Roosevelt and would like to confer with him on the “Philippine question.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-01-16
Senator McLaurin endorses Captain Claude E. Sawyer for an appointment to a judgeship in the Philippines, describing him as “a good lawyer and of unquestioned integrity.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-01-21
Eugene Tyler Chamberlain, the Commissioner of Navigation, believes that the Philippine bill before the Senate is discriminatory and not in accord with the Peace Commission at Paris. The bill imposes a tax on foreign vessels conducting inter-island trade, but excludes American and Spanish vessels. Commissioner Chamberlain believes that this is an opportunity to display “friendliness” toward Germany by giving them similar privileges.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-01-22