The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1902-06-17

Washington, June 13.-After talking
with a number Of the leaders in con-
Sress regarding Cuban reciprocitv
President Roosevelt TODAY determined
to send a message to congress re-af-
hrmlng his attitude on the subject. The
president earnestly considered the mat
Ter Tor several days, and 1t is stated that
the action Of the anti-reciprocity repub-
hcan senators yesterday in deciding to
hold out against the policy advocated
by the majority of the party did not
influence the president in the least in
deciding to transmit his message TO
: congress today.
Inc presidents action, it NAV he
stated from sources close to him was
influenced by the broad question of the
duty OF the United States to Cuba and
OF fairness to the new republic.
II mas been pointed out to the presi-
dent that his warmest political support
IS in the section of n country where
lheFe is the greatest opposition to
reciprocity, the west and northwest.
ana tnat he hould remain content with
the stand he had taken without accent
udtlng his views in a special message.
II is known however, that the presi-
dent did not hesitate to arrive at the
conclusion that he would not let his
political prospects interior with what
he regarded as his plain duty. 1t is
further known that he told his friends
that II was a source of great regret to
him 10 take a position hostile to the
wishes OF his WarmeSt supporters, but
that he felt it would not be in keeping
with his own nature and his position of
hTo 4
on this subject and thereby give an op-
pOrtunity for false speculation as to his
attitude.
1t is stated hat the presidents posi-
tive declaration in his message today as
to the duty of congress will probably
end his active efforts to bring about re-
ciprocity.
The message is as follows.
To The Senate and House of Represent
atives:
1 deem it importah; before the ad-
jOurnment of the present session of
congress to cal attention to the follow
ing expressions in the message which
in the discharge of the duty imposed
upon me by the constitution 1 sent to
Congress on the first Tuesday of De-
Tcember last:
Elsewhere l 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 a pc
culiar application. and 1 most earnest
ly ask your to the
wisdom, indeed. to the vital need
OF providing for a substantial re-
duction in the tariff duties on Cuban
imports into the United States. CUBA
has in her constitution affirmed what
We desired. that h should stand, In IN
ternational matters, i'll closer and more
friendly relations with us than with any
other power; and we are bound by
every consideration of n and eX-
pediency to pass commercial measures
in the interest of her material wellbe-
ing"
This recommendation was merely
giving practical effect to President Nc
Kinley's words, when in his message
of December 9Th 1898, and December 9TH
1899 he wrote:
cit is important hat our relations
with the people (of Cuba) shall be OF
the most friendly character and our
commercial relations close and recip-
rocal. = We have accepted a
trust, the fulfllment of which calls for
the sternest integrity of purpose and
the exercise Of the highest wisdom. Inc
new Cuba yet to arise from the aSneS OF
the past must needs be bound to US by
ties of singular intimacy and strength
if its enduring welfare is TO be assured.
q The greatest blessing which
can come to Cuba is the restoration OF
her agricultural and Industrial prosper
ity." 49,
Yesterday, June 18th, 1 received by
cable from the American minister III
Cuba a most earnest appeal from Tres
ident Palma for Legislative rellef De-
fore it is too late and his country imam
cially inc
The granting of reciprocity with Cupa
Is a proposition which STANDS entlreIS
F~- ~ for
= those for granting reciprocity with any
other nation and are entirely conslsteh
with preserving intact the protective
system under which this country has
Ibriven so marvelously. The presen'
tariff law was desir gned 10 pronote
the administration Of such a
treaty.. and expressly provide 1or d re.
5,ction not to exceed 20 per cent upor
goods coming from a particular couh
try leaving the tariff rates on the Sam
articles unchanged as regards all othsI
countries. Objection mas been mace .
the granting of the reduction on IN
ground that the substantial Deneh
vro,Id not go to the agricultural pro
dncer of sugar, but would !Eure TO TN
American sugar refiners, In my JuoS
ment provision can, and should De mao
which will guarantee Us against III
without having recourse U
a measure of doubtful pohGy, such as
hnrrn1V IN lit Il
Tbe Question as to which, II anS o.
The different schedules of the tarin
ought most properly to be revised doe:
not enter into this matter IN any way
or shape. We gre concerned Win g.
ting a friendly reciprocal
with Cuba. TINS arrangement
TO all the articles that Cuba grows o.
reduces 1t is not in u power 10 ue
termine wha The articles shall De: an'
49, 5;scuSsioo Of the tariff as il affect:
snecial schedules or countries othel
than Cuba, Is wholly aside from TN
subject matter to which 1 call your at
tention.
, Some of our citizens oppose the low
erine of the tariff on Cuban products
lust as three years g they oppose'
the admission of the Hawaiian islands
lest free trade with them might ruiz
certain of our interests here. In tn
actual event their fears proved baseles
as regards Hawaii, and their appre
tensions as 10 the damage to- any in