Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1902-06-21
URGES CONGRESS
TO KEEP FAITH.
President Roosevelt Sends Special Message to That
Body Regarding Reciprocity with Cuba-Asks
That Special Concessions Be Granted

Washington, June 14.-The president
Friday sent the following message to
congress:
''To the Senate and House of Representa-
tives: I dem it important before the ad-
Sournment of the present session of congress
to call attention to the following express
sions in the message which in the discharge
of the duty imposed upon me by the consti-
tuition [ sent to congress on the first Tues
day Of December last:
Elsewhere / have discussed the ques-
ton of reciprocity. In the case Of Cuba,
however, there are weighty reasons of
morality and of national interest why the
policy should be held to have peculiar ap-
pHcaCon, and [ most earnestly ask your
attention to the wisdom, indeed to the vital
nee0, OF providing for substantial reduc-
ton In the tariff duties on Cuban imports
INTO the United States Cuba has in her
constitution affirmed what we 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 cons ideration of honor and
expectancy to pass commercial measures
IN the interest of her material we'll
being
Voiced MckinIey's Sentiments.
This recommendation was merely CIV
ing practical effect TO President McKin-
ley's words, when, in his messages of De-
cember s. 1898, and December 5, 1899, he
wrote:
. 1t is important that our relations with
this people (of Cuba shall be of the
most friendly character and our CONNER
clal relations close and reciprocal We
nave accepted a trust the fulfllment 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 init
macy and strength if its enduring wei
fare is to be assured. The greatest bless
ing which can come to Cuba is the res
toration Of her agricultural and industrial
prosperity
Appeal from Palma.
Yesterday, June r. 1 received, by
cable, from the American minister in
Cuba, a most earnest appeal from Presl-
dent Palma for Legislative relief before
it is too late and (his) country financial
~ ruined"
''The granting Of reciprocity with Cuba
is a proposition which stands entirely
alone. The reasons for it far outweie
those for granting reciprocity with any
other nation, and are entirely consistent
with preserving intact the protective sys-
tenn under which this country has thr1Ven
so marvelously. The present tariff law
was designed to promote the adoption OF
such a reciprocity treaty, and expressly
provided for a reduction not to exceed
20 per cent. upon goods coming from
a particular country, leaving the tarlft
rates on the same articles unchanged as
regards all other countries. Objection
has been made to the granting of the re-
duction on the ground that the substan-
tiaI benefit would not go to the agricul-
tural producer of sugar, but would in
ure to the American sugar ref1ners. In
my judgment provision can, and should
be, made which will guarantee US against
this possibility; without having recourse
to a measure of doubtful policy, such as
a bounty. in the form of a rebate.
The Real Issue.
"The question as to which if any Of the
different schedules Of the tariff ought
most properly to be revised does not ell :
ter into this matter in any way or shape
We are concerned with getting friend
ly reciprocal arrangement with Cuba
This arrangement applies to all the arti-
cles that Cuba grows or produces. 1t
is not in our power to determine what
these articles shall be; and any discus
sion of the tariff as it affects special
schedules, or countries other than Cuba.
is wholly aside from the subject matter
to which l call your attention.
Groundlerss Approximations.
''Some of our citizens oppose the 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 certain