United States. Joint Chiefs of Staff

President Roosevelt instructs Secretary of the Navy Metcalf that he would like the Joint Board to provide him with a plan elaborating what the United States should do regarding its defenses of Hawaii, particularly looking at fortifying Pearl Harbor or Honolulu. Roosevelt feels that conversations on a similar topic relating to the defense of the Philippines were one-sided, and have caused harm to the United States by recommending the construction of fortifications at Subic Bay, when such fortifications are not defensible by land, but only by sea. In addition to the plan he has requested, Roosevelt also directs that Metcalf and Secretary of War William H. Taft investigate the actions of the previous board in recommending Subic Bay.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-02-11

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

President Roosevelt directs Secretary of War Taft to have the Joint Board to provide him with a plan elaborating what the United States should do regarding its defenses of Hawaii, particularly looking at fortifying Pearl Harbor or Honolulu. Roosevelt feels that conversations on a similar topic relating to the defense of the Philippines were one-sided, and have caused harm to the United States by recommending the construction of fortifications at Subic Bay, when such fortifications are not defensible by land, but only by sea. In addition to the plan he has requested, Roosevelt also directs that Taft and Secretary of the Navy Victor Howard Metcalf investigate the actions of the previous board in recommending Subic Bay.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-02-11

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

In a memorandum requested by President Roosevelt, Secretary of War Taft outlines the reasons for the reversal of the Joint Board of the Army and Navy’s 1903 unanimous decision to construct a defensive naval base at Subic Bay in the Philippines. The decision was reversed in 1907 due in part to the emerging strength of Japan and the cooling of relations with Japan, and to the indefensibility of the area by land.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-04-14

Creator(s)

Taft, William H. (William Howard), 1857-1930

Admiral Dewey notifies Secretary of War Taft of the resolutions of the Joint Board pertaining to the question of whether the battle fleet should be retained in the Pacific Ocean pending the completion of coastal defenses in the region.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-02-21

Creator(s)

Dewey, George, 1837-1917

Admiral George Dewey reports to Secretary of War Taft on a meeting of the Joint Board regarding the steps the United States should take in the event of a war between the United States and Japan becoming imminent. Because of the strength of Japan in the Pacific Ocean, the United States would have to be on the defensive there until reinforcements could be sent from the Atlantic. The Board recommends specific actions the United States should take immediately, moving coal, equipment, and forces to the Philippines, to be better prepared.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-06-18

Creator(s)

Dewey, George, 1837-1917

President Roosevelt writes to Secretary of the Navy Metcalf that in view of the report of the Joint Board made by Admiral George Dewey, it may be necessary to maintain a fleet in the Pacific Ocean longer than originally planned. Roosevelt asks Metcalf to provide a report on how long the fleet can be maintained at high efficiency. Roosevelt also asks if it is possible for the fleet to visit Australia.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-02-21

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919