The Politics of Intervention

The Pacification of Cuba 123

the Army would not become involved in law enforcement per
se. This was the task of the civil government and the Cuban
Rural Guard. Writing Taft, the President was insistent that
the Army's role be passive. Although it would provide the
"moral force" behind the civil administration, the Army must
hold itself aloof from Cuban affairs:

I feel it is most important that if any bloodshed occurs it should be
between Cubans and Cubans, not Americans and Cubans. Please have
the strictest instructions issued. ... In the event of disorder, the
American troops should not be called upon until the last resort. ... I
am most anxious that there should be no blood shed between Americans
and Cubans.^5

Taft interpreted Roosevelt's instruction for the Army in a
circular issued October 12, 1906. The Provisional Governor
reiterated the President's orders to avoid conflict with the
Cuban people. The Army was to "exert every effort to mani­
fest all the courtesy possible to Cubans of all parties." The
soldiers must remain orderly and inconspicuous (a goodly
assignment for so many red-blooded American boys) and
responsive to the wishes of the Provisional Governor. Diplo­
macy and discipline were to be the watchwords; there would
be no repetition of the rowdiness which enflamed the Fili­
pinos. As the troops fanned out along the island, General Bell
personally visited each post to lecture his officers and
men on "the peculiar circumstances of their service." His
indoctrination program was swift and effective.
6

Bell had had his doubts in September about the Army's

role in any intervention, but Taft made clear that the Army

of Cuban Pacification would be under the orders of the Pro­

visional Governor and, through him, responsible to the admin­

istration in Washington.^7 The civil authority, as in the United

States, would dictate policy for the Cuban bureaucracy and

the Army alike.

Roosevelt's goal, the creation of a new Cuban government

by free elections, demanded that the island be rid of violence.

Though the Army's presence was a positive factor in the Pro­

visional Government's plans, the Army's mission, as defined