It is to take control of the Philippines from Spain.
Theodore Roosevelt agreed with his predecessor that the Filipinos were not capable of self-governance. He also believed in the importance of the Philippine Islands as refueling stations for the navy.
He also viewed the naval base as a critical strategic asset in light of Japan’s growing military might in the Pacific region and increasing political unrest in China.
When Roosevelt appointed William Howard Taft as the first civilian governor of the islands in 1901, Taft recommended the creation of a civil government with an elected legislative assembly.
As per Millercenter.org, the Taft administration was able to negotiate with Congress for a bill that included a governor general, an independent judiciary, and the legislative assembly.
Here are 10 surprising facts about America's twenty-sixth president shared by History.com.