The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1902-06-11
PALMA'S FIRST MESSAGE
He Expresses Cuba's Gratitude to the
United States.
ISLANDS ECONOMIC SITUATION

Should Always Exist Between the Two
N.t,ons-He Asks For Divine Aid In
Establishing . Stable Governtneut-
The Sugar Question-His Suggestions.
Havana, Cuba.-President Palma's
message has been delivered to the Cuban
Senate. The message opens BY giving
thanks to the Almighty for His assist.
ance In carrying out the work Of OBJ.
talning Cuban independence. and asks
Divine aid In the establishment OF
firm and stable Government. Never
did a people fight with more perse'
verance." says President Palma In the
message. land sacrifice more for lib
erty than have the Cubans. No peo-
ple, therefore. are more entitled to see
their Just efforts crowned with sue
cess.
Together with our own heroism Is the
attitude Of the great people who were
impelled by their own love Of liberty
to put themselves on our side In our
tenacious hght for the independence
Of the country. Their motive was one
Of generous sentiment. pure and disln'
terested In origin. Impelled by this
sentiment, tie powerful Republic OF
the North recognizes. through Its II.
lustrious President. the Republic OF
Cuba.
The promise formally made has
been carried out. In this moment.
when We feel our right as an inde-
pendent nation, II Is impossible to sup.
press our gratitude to the United
States. TO recognize this debt Of graf
itude to the great Nation Is an act
which exalts US and which makes US
worthy Of the consideration and re-
spect Of the other nations Of the world.
1T Is necessary now to dictate all
the laws laid down In the Constitution.
We are capable Of fulfilling all the OBJ
LEGATIONS and promises which have been
contracted, and We should prepare the
budget with the greatest care"
Continuing. President Palma recon-.
mends the encouragement OF the agri'
cultural Industries Of the island. the
raising Of cattle. the establishment OF
agricultural stations to improve the
culture Of sugar cane and tobacco.
and the introduction Of varied aSri-
cultural Industries.
while the question Of reciprocity Is
still pending" he goes on. 1t Is I'm
possible to state now what measures
should be adopted to meet the pending
crisis. This crisis Is due to the ruinous
price Of sugar caused by excess produc-
ton of beet sugar in Europe. An I'm.
mediate remedy would be the reduction
of the American tariff on sugar. to Oh.
tain which the Executive will ut once
devote his efforts and will negotiate
treaty In order to. obtain benefits for
the Cuban sugar producers"
President Palma declares 1t Is the
purpose Of the Government to devote
its attention to education. and especial.
ly to primary schools. He says the
Government of Intervention deserves
great credit for the educational system
Il established. but that there Is need
for still more schools. as the future
Of the Republic depends upon educa-
UO0. IL Will De tue uutS VI thc wv
ernment to encourage the construction
of railroads in the island. and to pro-
tect the capital already invested in
railroad enterprises.
Discussing the bad economic situa-
tion of the country. President Palma
says he does not yet know how the or.
binary expenses Of administration are
to be met.
Touching foreign relations. he says:
I'VE must cultivate cordial relations
with all nations. and make treaties OF
amity and commerce favorable to
Cuba. We must also take especial
care that the relations between Cuba
and the United States be most friendly.
In order that there be no difficulty In
arranging the political and commercial
questions which affect both countries.
It Is also Of extreme importance that
there should ist uninterrupted concord
between all the people Of Cuba. and
that they should resolve to preserve
the Cuban nationality"