The Politics of Intervention

72 THE POLITICS OF INTERVENTION

for many years afterward, Steinhart was one of Cuba's most
influential alien residents. Born in Bavaria and raised in
Pennsylvania, he joined the United States Army as a young
man. Through luck and pluck, he rose rapidly to sergeant in
General Philip Sheridan's headquarters. At the same time he
earned a law degree. As Leonard Wood's chief civilian clerk
after 1899, he turned his acute, encyclopedic mind to handling
the delicate political details Wood gave him.^42 He stayed on
in Havana after 1902 as an official of the Havana Electric
Railway Company and an agent for Antonio San Miguel, a
wealthy Spanish entrepreneur. In 1903, on the recommenda­
tion of his former generals and the Cuban business com­
munity, he was appointed consul-general on the basis of
his "thorough knowledge of Cuban affairs, the People and
language."^43
Without question, Estrada Palma was correct in believing
that Steinhart would be unequivocal in urging American sup­
port for the Cuban government, and that Steinhart was com­
mitted to Wood's belief in a conservative, elitist control of
Cuban affairs.^44 In a letter dated September 5 to William
Loeb, Roosevelt's private secretary, Steinhart asked for the
President's views on intervention.^45 He portrayed Estrada
Palma as despondent and fearful, the armed forces as unable
to halt the insurgents, Sleeper as "an ass," and Cuba's eco­
nomic condition as collapsing. Steinhart believed that the
President might have a month to consider intervention, but
if help should be requested, troops should be rapidly dis­
patched to prevent chaos. Three days later (September 8)
Steinhart sent the simple cablegram that began to draw
Roosevelt into the intervention he was so anxious to avoid:

Absolutely Confidential. Secretary of State, Cuba, has requested me,
in name of President Palma, to ask President Roosevelt send immediately
two vessels—one to Habana, other to Cienfuegos. They must come at
once. Government forces are unable to quell rebellion. The Government
is unable to protect life and property. President Palma will convene
Congress next Friday, and Congress will ask for our forcible interven­
tion. It must be kept secret and confidential that Palma asked for ves­