In "The Selected Letters of THEODORE ROOSEVELT", edited by H. W. Brands, Roosevelt had written on June 16, 1902, from Washington, to Senator George F. Hoar, that "I am striving my best, doubtless with many shortcomings, but, as I am sure you believe, with sincerity and earnestness, to hasten the day when we shall need no more force in the Philippines than is needed in New York.
Vanguard