Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, With the Annual Message of the President Transmitted to Congress December 3, 1906, (In two parts), Part I

The President to Acting Secretary of State Bacon.

The White House, Washington,
Oyster Bay, N. Y., September 14, 1906.

My Dear Sir: In view of the cables which have been received, making it evident that President Palma intends to resign at the earliest opportunity, and that the vice-president and cabinet seem resolved to avoid taking upon themselves the responsibilities of government, and in view of the repeated requests of President Palma for the landing of troops and intervention, it is evident that we must act at once in such a way as to protect American interests by fulfilling American obligations to Cuba. Moreover, under the circumstances it is also evident that the ordinary type, of diplomatic communication would in this case accomplish no good purpose. The situation in the island seems to be one of impending chaos, with no real responsible head, and the inclosed letter to Minister Quesada, which will be communicated to our Chargé d’affaires at Habana for transmission to President Palma and for publication in the Cuban press, seems to offer the best way of communicating, not merely with the supposed governmental authorities, but with the Cuban people.

Sincerely, yours,

Theodore Roosevelt.