The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1902-07-02
THE PRESIDENT ON CUBA
He Favors Reciprocity in a Message
to Congress.
PRESENTS A PLEA FROM PALMA

Rsossvsis ssys ths 0usstien II Ono to
Censidsr By Itssif-He Asserts That
No Revisie. Of the Tariff 10 Involved
"A Pleading Dispatch From President
Psims-MeKiaisy's wosds Rscaus6.
Washington. D. C.-President Roose-
vclt has sent the following message
to Congress urging the granting OF re-
Lief to Cuba through reciprocity:
TO the Senate and House OF Rep
resentatives: l deem it important be-
fore the adjournment OF the present
session Of Congress TO call attention
to the following expressions In the
message which In the discharge Of the
duty imposed upon NE by the constitu-
item I sent to Congress on the first
Tuesday Of December last:
ELSEWHERE I have discussed the
question Of reciprocity. In the case of
Cuba, however. there are wcighty rea-
sons Of morality and Of national In.
terest why the policy should be held
to have q peculiar application. and
most earnestly ask your attention 70
the wisdom. indeed to the vital need.
OF providing for a substantial reduc-
ton In the tari6 duties on Cuban I'M
ports into the United States. Cuba
has In her constitution affirmed what
ve desired. that she should stand, In
International matters. In closer and
more friendly relations with US than
with any other power; and We are
bound by every consideration OF honor
and expediency to pass commercial
measures In the interest Of her mate
rial well being
This recommendation was merely
giving practical effect to President Nc.
Kinley's words. when. iu his messages
of December 5. 1905. and December 8.
1899. he wrote:
lit Is important that our relations
with this people (of Cuba shall be OF
the most friendly character and our
commercial relations close and reclpro-
cal. We have accepted trust,
the fulflment Of which calls for the
sternest integrity Of purpose and the
exercise Of the highest wisdom. The
new Cuba yet to arise from the ashes
of the past must needs be bound to US
BY ties Of singular intimacy and
strength II Its enduring welfare Is to
>,be assured. The greatest blessing
which can come to Cuba Is the restora-
tion of her agricultural and Industrial
prosperity.
yesterday. June ~, I received By
cable from the American Minister In
Cuba q most earnest appeal from
President Palma for Legislative relief
before 1t Ii too late and (his) country
financially ruined
THE granting Of reciprocity with
Cuba Is q proposition which stands en-
tirely alone. The reasons for II far
outweigh those for granting reciproc-
ity with any other nation, and are en-
tirely consistent with preserving intact
the protective system under which this
country has thrlven so marvellously.
The present tariff law was designed to
promote the adoption of such q reel
procity treaty. and expressly provides
for q reduction not to exceed twenty
per cent. upon goods coming from q
particular country. leaving the tariff
rates on the same articles unchanged
as regards all other countries. Objec-
ton has been made to the granting Of
the reduction on the ground that the
substantial benefit would not 60 to the
agricultural producer of sugar, but
would inure to the American sugar
rehners. In my judgment provision
mn ohnsvvI h, noadn vRhfNh yyfII
guarantee us against this possibility.
without having recourse to measure
Of doubtful policy, such an q bounty
In the form Of rebate.
The question as to which, II any. Of
the different schedules Of the tariff
ought most properly to be revised does
not enter into this matter In any way
or. shape. We are concerned with get
tng friendly reciprocal arrangement
with Cuba. This arrangement applies
10 all the articles that Cuba grows or
PRODUCES It 10 not In cur power to
determine what these articles shall
be. and any discussion Of the tariff as
u affects special schedules or countries
other than Cuba Is wholly aside from
the subject matter to which call your
attention.
''Some of our citizens oppose tie low
ering Of the tariff on Cuban products.
just as three years ago they opposed
the admission Of the Hawaiian Islands,
lest free trade with them might ruin cer-
tain Of our interests here. In the actual
event their fears proved baseless as re-
CARDS Hawaii. and their apprehensions
as to the damage to any industry Of
our own because OF the proposed meas
re Of reciprocity with Cuba seems
to me equally baseless. In my judg.
ment. no American industry will be
hurt, and many American industries
viii be benefited by the proposed ac-
don. 1t 10 to our advantage as q
nation that the growing Cuban market
should be controlled by American pro-
ducers.
THE events following the war with
Spain. and the prospective building of
the Isthmian Canal. render 1t certain
that We must take in the future q far
greater interest than hitherto In what
happens throughout the West Indies.
Central America and the adjacent coasts
and waters. We expect Cuba to treat us
on an exceptional footing politically.
and We should put her in the same ex-
ceptional position economically. The
proposed action Is In line with the
course We have pursued as regards
Eztredttion Treaty with cabs.
Mr.. Squiers. the American Minister
TO Cuba. will be called upon at once
l to open negotiations with the Cuban