Stolzer, Rob :: Powers, T.E.

T.E. Powers - William Howard Taft - Occupation of Cuba - 1906

Artist: T.E. Powers (All)

2 Comments - 1,169 Views - 1 Like

T.E. Powers - William Howard Taft - Occupation of Cuba - 1906 Comic Art

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Artwork Details

Title:	T.E. Powers - William Howard Taft - Occupation of Cuba - 1906
Artist:	T.E. Powers (All)
Media Type:	Pen and Ink
Art Type:	Comic Strip
For Sale Status:	NFS
Views:	1,169
Likes on CAF:	1 2
Comments:	2
Added to Site:	6/19/2020
Comic Art Archive:

Description

This political cartoon features the future president William Howard Taft and likely dates from the latter part of 1906. Taft served in Theodore Roosevelt's administration, appointed to the position of Secretary of War, a cabinet position that would be later renamed Secretary of Defense. Roosevelt was a big admirer/supporter of Taftfs and once said of him: Taft, "If only there were three of you. I could appoint one of you to the Court, one to the War Department and one to the Philippines." Taft had been the Governor-General of the Philippines and had been reluctant to leave. He also had ambitions to serve on the Supreme Court someday. He remains the only president to have also served as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.

In 1903, Cuba and the United States had signed the Cuban–American Treaty of Relations of 1903, which provided in part that the United States could intervene militarily to preserve Cuban independence. During Cubafs presidential elections in September 1905, a conflict arose between Cubafs liberal and moderate parties. Both sides wanted the United States to intervene militarily, believing that the Americans would support their side. Tomás Palma, the first president of Cuba, formally requested that Roosevelt send the United States Army to Cuba. Roosevelt was reluctant to do so. He sent Secretary Taft and Assistant Secretary of State Robert Bacon to discuss a diplomatic solution to the problem. Arriving on September 19, Taft and Bacon hoped to mediate with both parties, but Palma refused to negotiate with the rebel leaders. When Palma realized that Roosevelt had no intention of intervening in Cuba on his behalf, he resigned his office on September 28, 1906. On September 29, 1906, Secretary Taft invoked the terms of the Cuban–American Treaty of Relations of 1903. He established a Provisional Government in Cuba and declaring himself Provisional Governor. On October 23, 1906, President Roosevelt issued Executive Order 518, ratifying the order. The US ordered the United States Navy to land a brigade of marines. The marines were sent to protect American citizens and patrol the island until the United States Army arrived.

The rebels offered no resistance. When U.S. soldiers arrived on the island, the Liberals laid down their weapons and cooperated with the Americans. Since the rebels had already laid down their arms, the Americans focused on building roads and outposts across the island. The United States occupied Cuba until its withdrawal in 1909.

The political cartoon shows Taft putting out the fire in Cuba, with eyes on the White House in 1908. The cartoon has some sweet drawing in it, with some fun little scenes, such as the blanket being pulled off of Taft, ala Wallace and Gromit, and Taft going down the fire-pole upside-down.

Taft would indeed win the White House in 1908, but he fell out of favor with Roosevelt due to conflicting political beliefs and Roosevelt himself ran in 1912, splitting the vote, resulting in Woodrow Wilsonfs successful campaign.

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About the Owner

	Rob Stolzer Premium Gallery Owner
Joined:	September 2004
Last Login:	September 2025
Ebay Id:	robart
Website:	https://freeassociationfunnies.com/
Country:	UNITED STATES
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Carl Linich
Member Since 2011

1 - Posted on 6/19/2020

Great piece! I love Powers!

Dave H
Member Since 2011

1 - Posted on 2/13/2021

Panels 3+4 get me every time. This is one of my favorite TE Powers strips,

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