Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-06-13
The President Urges Reel
procity With Cuba.
NO INDUSTRY MENACED
BENEFIT TO THIS COUNTRY
WOULD RESULT.
Duty to Aid the Young Republic Es-
tablished by the American Nation
An Eloquent Appeal.

to Congress today:
To the Senate and House of Representa-
tives:
deem 1t important before the adjourn
ment 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 me by the Constitu-
tIon I sent TO Congress on the first Tuesday
Of December last:
Elsewhere 1 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 appltca-
tion and l most earnestly ask your a-ten-
tiOn TO the wisdom, indeed to the vital need,
of providing for substantial reduction IN
the tariff duties on Cuban imports into the
United States Cuba has in her constitu-
tion affirmed what we desired, that sne
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 material we'll being
This recommends ton was merely giving
practical effect to President McKiniey's
words when, in his messages of December
g. 1898, and December 3, 1899, he wrote:
"It Is important that our relations with
this people (of Cuba) shall be of he most
friendly character and our commercial re-
latiOns close and reciprocal We
have accepted trust, the fuihilment OF
which calls for the sternest integrity of pur-
pose and the exercise of the highest wis
dom. 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 If
Its enduring welfare is 10 be assured.
The greatest blessing which can come to
Cuba is the restoration of her agricultural
and Industrial prosperity"
Yesterday June -, I received by cable
from the American minister in Cuba,
most earnest appeal from President Palma
for Legislative relief before 1t is too late
and this) country financially ruined
Reciprocity and Protection.
The granting of reciprocity with Cuba is
n proposition which stands entirely alone.
The reasons for it far outweigh those for
granting reciprocity with any other ma
ton. and are entirely consistent with pre-
serving intact the protective system under
which this country has thriven so marvel
ousIy The present tariff law was de-
signed to promote the adoption of such
reciprocity treaty, and expressly provided
for a reduction not to exceed 20 per cent
upon goods coming from particular coun-
try leaving the tariff rates on the same ar
ticles unchanged as regards all other coun-
tries Objection has been made to the
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 refners.
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 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 1t affects
special schedules or countries other than
Cuba is wholly aside from the subject mat
ter to which call your attention,
Effect on Industry.
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 with
them might ruin certain of our interests
here. In the actual event their fears proved
baseless regards Hawaii, and their sp-
prehensiOns as to the damage to any in
Gustry of our own because of the proposed
measure of reciprocity with Cuba seem to
me equally baseless. In my Judgment no
American industry will be hurt and many
American industries will be benefited by
the proposed action. 1t is to our ad-
vantage as a nation that the growing Cuban
market should be controlled by American
producers.
The events following the war with Spain,
and tie 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 ad-
Jacent coasts and waters. We expect Cuba
TO treat us on an exceptional footing pclit-
tcally. and we should put her in the same
exceptional position economically. The pro-
posed action Is in line with the course we
have pursued 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 without
any of the feared detriment to our own
Industries. The Philippines, which stand
In a different relation. have been granted
substantial tariff concessions.
Cuba Is an independent republic but re-
public which has assumed certain special
obligations as regards her International DO
sition in compliance with our request. l
ask for her certain special economic con-
cessions in return; these economic conces-
sions to benefit US we'll as her. There
are few brighter pages in American history
than the page which tells OF our dealings
with Cuba during the past four years. On
her behalf we waged a war Of which the
handspring was generous indignation