Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1902-06-19
MAKES PLEA FOR RECIPROCITY
NEW REPUBLIC IS WEAK AND
OUR ASSISTANCE IS
NEEDED.
WOULD BENEFIT US As WELL
PRESIDENT RECEIVES MESSAGE
FROM PALMA ASKING FOR
RELIEF,

Washington, June Is. - President
Roosevelt sent a special message to con-
gress yesterday afternoon reiterating
his former recommendations for the
passage of O law creating reciprocity
with Cuba and presenting additional
arguments thereon. The text of the
message follows:
L deem it important before adjourn
ment of the present session of congress
to call attention to the following ex-
pressions In the message which, in the
discharge of the duty imposed upon
me by the Constitution, sent to con-
gress on the first Tuesday in December
last. CHere follows extracts from that
document.).
Yesterday I received by cable from
the American minister in Cuba most
earnest appeal from President Palma
for Legislative relief before it is TOO
late.'
Stands Alone.
The granting of reciprocity with
Cuba is a proposition which stands en-
t1rely alone. The reasons for it far out
weigh those of granting reciprocity
with any other nation, and are entirely
consistent with preserving intact the
protective system under which this
country has thriven so marvelously.
The present tariff law was designed
to promote the adoption of such reci-
procity treaty and expressly provides
for reduction of not to exceed 20 per
cent upon goods coming from particu-
lar country, leaving the tariff rates
upon the same articles unchanged as
regards all other countries.
ho
granting Of the reduction on the ground
that the substantial benefit would not
go to the agricultural producer of
sugar, but would inure to the American
sugar refiners.
This Can BE Fixed.
I'm my judgment provision can and
should be made which will guarantee
us against this possible measure of
doubtful policy, such as a bounty in the
form of rebate.
1.-THE question as to which, If any, OF
the different schedules of tariff ought
most properly to be revised does not
enter into this matter in any way or
shape. We are concerned with getting
a friendly reciprocal arrangement with
Cuba. This arrangement applies to all
articles that Cuba grows or produces.
It is not in our power to determine what
those articles shall be; and any discus
sion Of tariff as it affects special sched-
ules or countries other than Cuba is
wholly aside from the subject matter
to which call your attention.
Compared to Hawaii.
"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 interests here. In actual events
their fears proved baseless as regards
Hawaii, and their apprehensions OF
damage to any interests of our own be-
cause of the proposed measure of reci-
procity with Cuba seem to me to be
equally baseless.
I'm my judgment, no American in
dustry will be hurt and many Ameri-
can industries will be benefited by the
action. 1t is to our advantage
as nation that the growing Cuban
market should be controlled by the
American producer.
More Interest Needed.
Events following the war with Spain
and the prospective building Of the
isthmian canal render it certain that
we must take in the future far greater
interest than hitherto in what happens
throughout the West Indies, Central
America and the adjacent coast and
waters.
1--WE expect Cuba to treat US on an
exceptional footing politically, and we
should put her in the same exceptional
position economically. The proposed
action is in line with course we have
pursued as regards all the islands with
which we have been brought into re-
lations of varying intimacy by the
Spanish war.
"Porto Rico and Hawaii have been
included within our tariff lines, to their
great benefit, as well as ours, and with
out any feared detriment to our desti-
MES. The Philippines, which stood IN
a different relation, have been granted
substantial tariff concessions.
To Benefit Both.
Cuba is an Independent republic
which has assumed special obligations
as regards her international position in
compliance to our request. I ask for
her certain special economic conces-
sions in return; these economic conces-
sions to benefit us as well as her.
'"There are few brighter pages In
American history than the page which
tells of our dealings with Cuba the past
four years. On her behalf we waged q
war of which the handspring was gen.
erous Indignation against oppression;
and we have kept faith absolutely.
ut is earnestly to be hoped that we
will complete in the same spirit the
record so we'll begun and show in our
dealings with Cuba that steady continu-
itv Of policy which it is essential for
our nation to establish in foreign at
fairs If we desire to play our own part
as world power"