Theodore Roosevelt actually said...

"Only preliminary explorations have yet been made in the archipelago, and it should be a matter of pride to the Government of the United States fully to investigate and to describe the entire region."

"It is not probable that the survey would be completed in a less period than that of eight or ten years, but it is well that it should be begun in the near future."

"I recommend, therefore, that provision be made for the appointment of a board of surveys to superintend the national surveys and explorations to be made in the Philippine Islands."

"The scientific surveys which should be undertaken go far beyond any surveys or explorations which the government of the Philippine Islands, however completely self-supporting, could be expected to mak..."