The Minneapolis journal., 1902-06-13

to-day sent the following message to
congress;
ITO the Senate and House of Representa-
tives-I deem it important before the ad-
iournment of the present session of
gress to call attention to the following eX-
pressions in the message which in the dis
charge of the duty imposed upon me by the
constitution l sent to congress the first
Tuesday OF December last:
ELSEWHERE I have discussed the question
OF reciprocity. In the case of Cuba. how
ever. there are weighty reasons of morality
and of national interest why the policy should
be held to have a peculiar application, and
] most earnestly ask your attention to the
wisdom, indeed to the vital need. of pro-
viding for substantial reduction in the
tariff duties Cuban imports into the
United States. Cuba has in her constitution
affirmed what 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 expedi-
ency to pass commercial measures in the in
terest of her material wellbeing."
This recommendation merely giving
practical effect to President McKinleys
words when in his messages of Dec. 5, 1898,
and Dec. s. 1899, he wrote:
TT is important that our relations with
this people (of Cubal shall be of the most
friendly character and our commercial rela
lions close and reciprocal. We have
accepted q trust, the fulhllment 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 IT its en-
during welfare Is to be assured. :
The greatest blessing which can come to
Cuba is the restoration of her agricultural
and industrial prosperity
Yesterday, June IL, received, by cable
from the American minister in Cuba, most
earnest appeal from President Palma for
Legislative relief before it is too late and
this) country financially runed.'
The Proposition Stands Alone.
The granting of reciprocity with Cuba is
O proposition which stands entirely alone.
The reasons for it far outweigh those for
granting reciprocity with any other nation,
and are entirely consistent with preserving,
intact the protective system under which this
country has thrven SO marvelously. Inc
present tariff law was designed 20 promote
the adoption of such reciprocity treaty and
expressly provide for reduction not to ex-
ceed 20 per cent upon goods coming from a
particular country, leaving the tariff rates on
the same articles unchanged as regards all
other countries
AS to the Sugar Trust.
Objection has been made to the granting
OF the reduction on the ground that the sub
stantial benefit would not go to the agrlcul-
tural producer of sugar, but would inure to
the American sugar refners. In my judg-
ment provision can, and should be, made,
which will guarantee us against this posi-
bity, without having recourse to measure
of doubtful policy, such as bounty IN the
form of a rebate.
Revision of Tariff Not Concerned.
The question as to which, If 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 getting friendly reciprocal
ARRANGEMENT with Cuba. This arrangement
applies to all the articles that Cuba grows
or produces. 1t is not in our power to de-
termine what these articles shall be, and any
discussion of the tariff as it affects special
shedules or countries other than CUBA, is
wholly aside from the subject matter to which
I call your attention.
Fears That Are Baseless.
Some of our citizens oppose the lowering
of the tariff on Cuban products, just as three
years ago they opposed the ADMISSION OF
the Hawaiian islands, lest free trade VIII
them might ruin certain OF our lnterests
here. In the actual event their 1ears proVe@
baseless as regards Hawaii, and their ap'
Drehensions as to the damage to any indus
trv of our own because of the proposed meas
ure of reciprocity with Cuba seem TO me
equally baseless. go
In nv Judgment no American industry VIII
be hurt and many American Industries vii
be benefited by the proposed action. 1t l:
IN orr advantage as a nation that the grow
ing Cuban market should be controlled D!
American producers.
Our influence In the West Indies.
The events following the war with spalr
and the prospective building of the 1stnmlar
canal render it certain that we must take
in the future far greater interest thal
hitherto in what happens throughout I'M
West Indies, Central America and the ad
iacent coasts and waters We expect Cups
to treat US an exceptional tootlng polltl
cally and we should put her in the same ex
ceptional position economically. The pro
posed action is in line with the course w
have pursued as regards all the lslanos VIII
which we have been brought into reiatlon
OF varying intimacy by the Spanish war
Porto Rico and Hawaii have been 1nclude'
within our tariff lines, to their great beneh
MS we'll as ours and without any det
riment to ur own industries. The Philip
mines. which stand in different relation
have been granted substantial tariff conces
sions.
Cuba is an independent republic, but
republic which has assumed certain oDEsa
POoASAo-
in comnliance with our request I ask fo
her certain special economic concessions il
return; these economic concessions to bene
ft us as well as her.
Let Us Keep Faith. -s
There are few brighter pages in America
history than the page which tells OF ou
dealings with Cuba during the past tou
vears On her behalf we waged a war Q
which the handspring was generous lndigna
ton against oppression and we have KEEP
faith absolutely, 1t is earnestly to pc nope
that we will complete in the same spirit tn
record so we'll begun and show in our deal
ings with Cuba that steady continuity
policy which it is essential for our natio
to establish in foreign affairs II we deslr
to play well part as world power
We are a wealthy and powerful nation
Cuba is young republic still weak, wn
owes to us her birth, whose whole future
whose very life, must depend on our att
.ude towards her. ask that we help ne
rs she struggles UPWARDS along the painfl