28 February, 1906
President Roosevelt sat going over the specifications in the Oval Office. Capable of 21 knots, ten 12-inch guns - the Dreadnought would certainly moves the arms race in Europe up a few notches.
The French Ambassador had advised him informally that France might be interested in an alliance, "given the long history of friendship between the American and French people". More likely, it was given the short history of the collapse of the Russian Empire. They were undoubtedly desperate for a friend and the United States might give them one, at the right price. He knew from friends in London that the British were being pushed toward a more comprehensive alliance.
However, troubling the President's mind today was his own hemisphere. What the hell was wrong with the Cubans? They finally got independence and what do they do? Start a bloody civil war. Anyone with half a brain could see that President Palma had won the right to extend his term and thus re-election; what did Jose Miguel Gomez think he was doing, especially with all his anti-American rhetoric? No doubt, Alfredo Zayas was behind it all. That snobby aristocratic intellectual had actually voted AGAINST their own constitution.
Well, Root is in Latin America, promoting the Hague Peace Conference, he thought. And if we can't use diplomacy.....
The secretary advised the arrival of his guest. Having to make time for these Senators was becoming a tiresome bore. It wasn't like they were elected by anyone; they were party hacks and donors who now monopolised him time. The sooner the Senate was subjected to direct democratic elections, the sooner the unrepresentative swill could be replaced by people who had to respond to the same demands he did. Maybe it was time to push harder on direct elections.
Albert Beveridge marched into the Oval Office. "Mr President."
"Senator, please take a seat. You wish to discuss...?"
"Well, Cuba, of course. I think I have a solution." And, unfortunately, I'm going to have to hear it, thought Roosevelt. The man's gift of oratory meant he couldn't be ignored.
"We should not support Palma for a second term."
The President was stunned. Here was the foremost imperialist in the Senate arguing that the Administration should support...what....an anti-American zealot? "I don't understand, Senator. I thought you were supporting Palma."
"I do support Palma," came the reply. "But he doesn't need to be President of Cuba to continue ruling the country."
Roosevelt wished the man would stop speaking in riddles and make his point. "How on earth could he rule the country without being President? Come now, Albert, you helped write their constitution. You should know it's impossible!"
"Their constitution has been drafted with all due care, Mr President. The Platt Amendment allows us to intervene. I think we should do so. And I think that Tomas Estrada Palma should be the first Governor of the United States Territory of Cuba."
"And Palma will back this?"
"In his own words, Mr President. He states, and I quote, there is little advantage and no future for an independent Cuba. However, he won't serve as caretaker while we exercise real power. He also insists we can't take over the government jobs. However, if we want Cuba, it is ours for the taking.
Beveridge's assistance on the Philippines and Santo Domingo had given the man extra status which now could not be denied. Intervention was inevitable and it would have the approval of the business sector. "How many troops, Beveridge?"
"3,000 marines, sir."
The President paused, but only briefly, before picking up the phone. "Get me Secretary Taft." There was a silence for about half a minute. "Hi, Bill, I've got Albert Beveridge here and he thinks it might be a good day for a war.....That's right. How long before we can dispatch troops to Cuba?"