Tomas Estrada Palma Quotes


We cannot prevent rebels from entering cities and burning property..


Context

He had secretly asked the United States to send American troops back to Cuba to help keep law and order as the Cubans could not nor could they govern the polarized society that had been festering under incompetent Spanish rule. President Roosevelt was furious that the Cubans could not govern the country. See {640520}.


Citations

Tomas Estrada Palma, 1835-1908, First President of Cuba, Statement to American Diplomats in Havana, September 12, 1906, Quoted in memo from Cuban Counsel General Steinhart to the War Department, September 13, 1906

Sourced by: Eigen's Political and Historical Quotations

Linked Quotes

See {640521} for the trigger of his anger. This is a good example of a politician using indiscreet hyperbolic terms in anger. In a different time, the President might have been accused of planning extermination and genocide of the Cuban people.


Related Quotes
Tomas Estrada Palma
Tomas Estrada Palma
  • Born: July 6, 1832
  • Died: November 4, 1908
  • Nationality:
  • Profession:

Tomás Estrada Palma was a Cuban politician and the first President of Cuba. Initially he was the President of the Cuban Republic in Arms during the Ten Years' War and again between May 20, 1902 and September 28, 1906. His collateral career as a New York City Area Educator and writer enabled Estrada Palma to create Pro-Cuban literature aimed at gaining sympathy, assistance and publicity. He was eventually successful in garnering the attention of influential Americans. He was an early and persistent voice calling for the United States to intervene in Cuba on humanitarian grounds. He was the first President of Cuba, between May 20, 1902 and September 28, 1906. During his presidency his major accomplishments include improving Cuba's infrastructure, communication, and public health.