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Navy Judge Advocate General Diehl issues an opinion stating that the United States should be allowed to ship coal freight on foreign ships in the event that shipping on American ships proves to be excessively expensive.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-05-25
At President Roosevelt’s request regarding a particular military appointment, Secretary of War Taft discusses the seniority and ability of J. B. Bellinger, Carroll Augustine Devol, and James Buchanan Aleshire. Bellinger has rank, but Devol and Aleshire are more suited to the position. Taft suggests postponing the matter until spring.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-11-29
Secretary of War William H. Taft relays to President Roosevelt his view that the Cuban government should pay for the construction and maintenance of quarters for the United States Army’s stay in Cuba during the occupation. However, Army officers’ salaries should not be taken from the Cuban treasury. Taft hopes that United States Comptroller of the Currency William Barret Ridgely will agree that U.S. funds can be expended so that construction can begin immediately and then the Cuban treasury can reimburse the expense. Both Army Chief of Staff General James Franklin Bell and newly named Provisional Governor of Cuba Charles Edward Magoon concur with Taft’s view.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-10-10
President Roosevelt considers an addition to a proclamation from the Cuban point of view. He also approves that Army officers should receive nothing from the Cuban treasury, and instead be compensated by Congress. Roosevelt suggests that the Cuban treasury pay the United States’ Quartermaster for construction costs.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-10-10
Thomas H. Barry recommends replacing military attache to London, John H. Beacom, with Sydney A. Cloman. Beacom is a year away from completing his three year appointment as attache. Barry has known Cloman since he graduated from West Point and joined his regiment in 1887. He highly recommends him for the position.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-10-13
John S. Wise encloses to President Roosevelt a letter from his son, Major Hugh Douglas Wise, who is commanding a battalion of Philippine scouts in the island of Samar. Wise believes that his son’s letter is a “strikingly clear apprehension” of the situation on the ground, and that Roosevelt will be glad to have a perspective that might differ from official communications. Wise is likely referring to Filipino insurgents recent violence against United States forces, and earlier tensions that year from the massacre of Moros by American troops.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-10-15
Updating from Cuba, Secretary of War Taft reports that the yellow fever situation is not cause for alarm. Disarmament and surrenders are taking place all over the island, with expected difficulties in the process. Many of the insurgents have just gone home and the prospect of peace is strong.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-10-05
In a confidential telegram to President Roosevelt, Secretary of War Taft expresses his concern that General Frederick Funston is not the right commander for the job in Cuba. The Cuban rebels do not respond to Funston. They need a more diplomatic leader like General James Franklin Bell.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-10-03
Brigadier-General Bell informs William Loeb that he disagrees with Theodore Roosevelt’s endorsement of Captain Parker for the mission to Cuba. While Bell agrees that Parker has many admirable traits, his professional defects heavily outweigh them, and he is “one of the last men in the Army he would voluntarily recommend” for the mission.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-09-19
Judge Advocate General Davis recommends allowing Theodore Roosevelt to execute Article III of the existing treaty with Cuba to restore order to the island without having to get permission from Congress. Davis references the Whiskey Insurrection of Western Pennsylvania 1794 and other cases to make his point.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-09-15
War Department legal counsel Charlton informs Secretary of War Taft that based on the Platt Amendment and the subsequent treaty between Cuba and the United States, in his opinion, the President can decide to intervene in Cuban affairs in order to preserve a stable government. This intervention should not be deemed a declaration of war because it is in the United States and Cuba’s best interests and within the jurisdiction of the United States.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-09-16
Secretary of War Taft is preparing to board a train to travel to Havana and he is sending President Roosevelt several legal opinions regarding his options in issuing an executive order to establish a military government in Cuba. Taft reports that Roosevelt’s letter to Cuban Representative Carlos Manuel de Cespedes y Quesada polled strongly with the Cubans and Robert Bacon is carrying a copy of the president’s proclamation to arm the Cuban insurgents, though Taft thinks they should hold off in announcing it. Meanwhile, Joseph Bucklin Bishop is taking charge at the Isthmus and working on the president’s visit to the canal site. Taft admits he is not completely clear on the situation in Cuba but he knows who he is dealing with and every event will be met promptly. If they have to send in the army, he suggests putting Douglas MacArthur in charge and that he start recalling other staff officers. He knows this goes against the conventional thinking that MacArthur should serve as Chief of Staff to General James Franklin Bell, but this suggestion is only made against a remote possibility.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-09-16
Secretary of War Taft informs President Roosevelt that General Hamilton Smith Hawkins is “trying to get his son detailed for service at West Point” on the recommendation of Colonel Robert Lee Howze. Hawkins was an excellent officer, but he is a “most persistent seeker after favors.” Taft wants to keep Roosevelt advised should Hawkins come directly to Roosevelt and ask for a favor.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-12-26
Fred C. Ainsworth reviews a number of communications between Idaho Governor Frank Robert Gooding and Secretary of War Taft regarding a possible need for troops to maintain the peace during the trial of several members of the Western Federation of Miners for the murder of ex-Governor Frank Steunenberg. Troops had been sent to Boise, Idaho from Walla Walla, Washington as part of a practice march, and were thereafter directed to maintain their position there for the present. Ainsworth informs Taft that the Boise Barracks do not have accommodations for horses, and that an expenditure of $2880 will be necessary to obtain stables for an extended stay.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-08-11
Secretary of War Taft sends to President Roosevelt a copy of a memorandum from General Fred C. Ainsworth. Taft advises allowing the troops at Boise, Idaho, to stay, and to expend the money mentioned for temporary stabling.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-08-14
General Wood sends President Roosevelt a copy of the Far Eastern Review about the Moro Province, and believes that the Americans have “taken hold of the question of development” far better in Moro Province than elsewhere. Wood also reports that he will try to attend some of the large maneuvers by the Chinese in Honan Province. He believes the U.S. should know as much as possible about these Chinese troops. Finally, Wood explains that he dislikes to lose Captain Frank Ross McCoy, because he is an “extremely valuable officer,” but he understands that he should not interfere with McCoy’s chance to serve Roosevelt directly.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-08-17
Editor of the Providence Journal, Frederick Roy Martin, responds to Charles J. Bonaparte’s criticism of the editorial entitled, “A Lamentable Naval Episode.” Martin notes that if Bonaparte’s “criticism of this editorial had been based upon fact” the paper would no doubt apologize to President Roosevelt. He advises Bonaparte to read the editorial in full.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-08-03
Senator Alger writes to President Roosevelt to endorse Colonel William S. Patten for the position of quartermaster general of the U.S. Army. Alger believes Patten possesses loyalty, integrity, and capability, and will consider it a great personal favor if Roosevelt decides to promote Patten. Alger also thanks Roosevelt for the flattering things he has said about Alger.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-08-06
Louis A. Coolidge sends William Loeb a letter Colonel Waller wrote him about Frank Wynne showing that the modification of Wynne’s sentence was justified by his record.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-07-02
Leonard Wood makes recommendations for the military management of the Philippines. He recommends that division commanders should have to serve in the Philippines for a minimum of 3 years in order to be most effective. Religious leaders are complicating efforts across the island, but he believes if agriculture can be restored across the island, the situation will stabilize. He discusses the issues of promotion and elimination within ranks, and how often “a moral duffer, with a good digestion, goes on to retirement at 64.” He offers suggestions of how to resolve this issue.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-06-26