The Anti-Imperialist League Collection, 1895-1928
3.5 Linear Feet — 5 volumes and 5 manuscript boxes
This collection was compiled by Maria C. Lanzar-Carpio for use in researching her doctoral dissertation, "The Anti-Imperialist League" (University of Michigan, 1928). It includes a typescript carbon copy of the dissertation as well as three letters to Lanzar-Carpio.
A large portion of this collection (765 items) was given to Lanzar-Carpio by Herbert Welsh, activist and vice president of the Anti-Imperialist League representing Philadelphia. This portion consists chiefly of correspondence and documents relating to efforts opposing American imperialism in the Philippines. Materials include records regarding the Anti-Imperialist League's efforts to document American atrocities, especially the cruel use of the "water cure," an inquiry into the death of Private Edward C. Richter, as well as Herbert Welsh's 1903 demand for the publication of General N. A. Mile's report on conditions in the Philippines. Also included is correspondence regarding organizational matters of the League, fundraising, the editorial management of City and State, other causes, and personal affairs. In addition to Welsh's personal collection, interspersed are an undetermined number of transcripts made by Lanzar-Carpio from original documents held elsewhere (cf. her dissertation, p. 9-10 and 269).
Erving Winslow, Secretary of the Anti-Imperialist League, provided Lanzar-Carpio with the organization's Record Books in five volumes, as well as a collection of papers and correspondence (597 items). Correspondence concerns the activities of the Anti-Imperialist League, especially related to Philippine independence, and chiefly includes Erving Winslow's outgoing letters as well as letters to him from members of the League's executive committee, along with letters from members of the U.S. Congress; U.S. and Philippine officials; representatives of public interest groups and the press; and other papers.