Your TR Source
President Roosevelt would like to show Jacob Schurman the draft of his message to Congress which shows that Roosevelt and Secretary Hay were ignorant of imminent revolution in Colombia. However, the possibility of a revolution had been discussed for months. Roosevelt hopes Schurman will be at the diplomatic reception in January.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-11-12
Assistant Secretary of the Navy Roosevelt will read the pamphlet with interest. He wants to hear about J. Crawfords’s adventures in the tropical jungles. Roosevelt was intrigued by Crawfords’s discussion about the revolution and sent his letter to the Office of Naval Intelligence.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1897-10-25
Per President Roosevelt’s request, Charles E. Magoon, the occupation governor of Cuba, provides his assessment of the current political, economic, and social situation in Cuba. He advises Roosevelt of the feasibility of withdrawing from Cuba and dissolving the provisional government and installing Cuban officials. Several measures should be taken to ensure the stability of a new Cuban government, including solidifying economic relations with Cuba, installing several American advisers to assist in the administration of the state, and getting Cuban “non-politicos” involved in politics.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-04-16
Secretary of State Root sends an enclosed dispatch from Minister to Persia John B. Jackson, which shows the effects of President Roosevelt’s appointment of him as a matter of favor rather than his qualifications. With Persia currently undergoing a revolution, the Department of State already has enough trouble. Root has drafted a response and waits for Roosevelt’s instructions.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-12-23
The French chargé d’affaires to Panama, Henri Arthur Marie Barre Ponsignon, sends an excerpt of a report to Foreign Affairs Minister Stéphen Jean Marie Pichon about President Roosevelt’s recent visit to Panama. Roosevelt and heads of department left Ancón at seven in the morning to visit the Panama Canal work site in the rain and mud. Roosevelt, who spoke to many workers and asked questions, was able to fully appreciate the technical difficulties to be overcome. He made it clear to the new republic that he did not want any revolutions to hinder the work of the Canal, where over 7,000 Americans are currently employed.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-11-19
George Otto Trevelyan regards large, expensive battleships as the “height of folly” and discusses the important considerations of naval artillery. He commiserates with President Roosevelt’s difficulties with Cuba. Trevelyan comments on Charles Francis Adams’s recent visit and is pleased Roosevelt likes the poetry of his friend, Gilbert Murray.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-09-27
Secretary of War Taft reports on the situation in Cuba. While Taft had attempted arbitration, Cuban President Tomás Estrada Palma resigned from office and dissolved the congress. It sounds like the the insurgents will end the insurrection because of this. The United States may need to form a provisional government in Cuba in order to restore order there. Taft is wary of recognizing the forces of the insurrection as a de facto government, and discusses the possibility of who to select to eventually reform a government.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-09-26
Secretary of War Taft informs President Roosevelt that Tomás Estrada Palma and his government are all planning to resign. Taft recommends Roosevelt use the Platt Amendment to assume control of Cuba, set up a government, and name a Governor quickly to protect the government’s interest in Cuba. Taft wants Roosevelt’s authority to send for the leaders of the insurgents to let them know conditions have changed, that they are now in arms against the United States, and that they will receive amnesty if they lay down their arms and return to their homes.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-09-25
Secretary of War Taft met with insurgent leaders in Cuba and their revolutionary committee. Taft is hopeful but not confidant. Taft thinks “nothing can be done” once the Latin race is “inflicted with the political virus.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-09-23
Mark Rolla Spelman informs William Loeb that Insurgent General Cleto Collado del Cueto burned the Esperanza American property this morning, but the Constancia sugar mill was saved by Commander William F. Fullam and his men. Present forces can protect the sugar house only, so they need reinforcements.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-09-18
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
Chargé d’affaires in Cuba Sleeper informs Secretary of State Root that hostilities have ceased in Cuba in the hopes of reaching an agreement between the rebels and the Cuban government prior to the arrival of Secretary of War William H. Taft.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-09-17
President Tomás Estrada Palma addresses the Cuban Congress at the start of a special session regarding revolutionary and insurgent activity that has been taking place in certain provinces.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-09-14
This confidential telegram informs Jacob Sleeper, chargé d’affaires ad interim, that President Roosevelt has ordered ships to enter Cuban waters and he will determine how they are to be used to protect “American life and property.” Sleeper is allowed to request asylum for Americans but under no circumstances is he allowed to request the landing of any armed force from the State Department. Sleeper should continue to report all developments.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-09-12
Consul General Steinhart sends Secretary of State Root a draft of a cable to send to chargé d’affaires Jacob Sleeper in Cuba so that he can send it to Cuban President Tomás Estrada Palma and release it to the press. The cable threatens United States intervention if the Cuban government cannot quell the revolt.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-09-12
Cuban President Estrada Palma declares in a new decree that the provisions of the decree of August 27, which provided immediate liberty for all rebel prisoners who surrendered from the ranks of the insurrectionists, are now suspended. All prisoners taken in the future, and persons arrested by the government, shall be confined.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-09-10
Chargé d’affaires in Cuba Sleeper informs Secretary to the President Loeb that the revolutionary movement has started in Manzanillo, Cuba, and they have two thousand men armed to fight.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-09-09
Nelson P. Webster at the White House forwards to William Loeb at Oyster Bay, a telegram from Jacob Sleeper, charge d’affaires in Havana, Cuba, to Secretary of State Elihu Root. Sleeper reports that he has unofficially informed the emissary to Faustino “Pino” Guerra that negotiations for an armistice in Cuba between the government and revolutionary forces have thus far been unsuccessful. Sleeper also provides information on the progress of a train.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-09-08
Ambassador Meyer agrees with everything President Roosevelt said in his letter and appreciates the opportunity to be in St. Petersburg during the peace negotiations. Meyer is honored to join Roosevelt’s cabinet next winter. Meyer discusses conditions in Russia he has witnessed like Russians living conditions, their oppression, their lack of education, and the difficulty the Socialists or Anarchists will have in convincing the people that the Tsar is not “their little Father.” Meyer expresses his concern that the Revolutionists want everything at once and that none among them is a stand out leader. Meyer discusses the progress of his cure in Bavaria but assures Roosevelt that he is ready to return to St. Petersburg at a moment’s notice.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-09-02
German diplomat Hermann Speck von Sternburg sends President Roosevelt an article by W. T. Stead on the emancipation of the Tsar which was published in the London Times.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-11-25