Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1902-06-19
4 PLEA FOR CUBA.
Special Message Sent to Congress
by President Roosevelt.
He Says that the People Who Oppose
Giving TarlR Concessions 40 the
New Republic Are NeedIessIy
Acknowledgement Fa-
VOrIn@ Reciprocity.

yorin@ Reciprocity.
Washington, June 14.-The presi-
dent on Friday sent the following
message to congress:
Yesterday, June II, I received by
cable from the American minister in
Cuba, most earnest appeal from
President Palma for Legislative relief
before it is too late and (his) coun-
try financially ruined
The granting of reciprocity with
Cuba is a proposition which stands
entirely alone. The reasons for it far
outweigh those for granting reci-
procity with any other nation, and
are entirely consistent with preserv-
ing intact the protective system un-
der which this country has thrived so
marvelouSly. The present tariff law
was designed to promote the adoption
of such a reciprocity treaty, and eX-
pressly provides for reduction not
to exceed 20 per cent. upon goods
coming from a particular country,
leaving the tariff rates on the same
articles unchanged as regards all
other countries.
"Obiection has been made to the
granting of the reduction on the
ground that the substantial bene-
fit would not go to the agri-
cultural producer of sugar, but
would inure to the American sugar
refiners. In my judgment provision
should be made which will guarantee
us against this possibility without
having recourse to 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 a friendly reciprocal
agreement with Cuba. This arrange
ment applies to all the articles that
Cuba grows or produces. 1t is not
in our power to determine what
these articles shall be, and any dis
cussion of the tariff as it affects spe-
cial schedules, or countries other
than Cuba, is wholly aside from the
subject to which l call your atten-
ton.
"Some of our citizens oppose the
lowering of the tariff on Cuban pro-
ducts, just as three years ago they
opposed the admission of the Hawaii
an islands, lest free trade with them
might ruin certain of our interests
here. In the actual event their fears
proved baseless as regards Hawaii,
and their apprehensions as to the
=, -, ind pf
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. II
is to our advantage as nation that
the growing Cuban market should be
controlled by American producers.
1--WE are a wealthy and powerful ma
ton; Cuba is a young republic still
weak, who owes to US its whole
future, whose very life must depend
upon our attitude towards her. ! ask
that we help her as she struggles up
wards along the difficult road of self
governing independence. ! ask this
aid for her, because She is weak, be-
cause she needs it, because we have
already aided her. l ask that open
handed help be given to Cuba, for the
very reason that we have given her
such help in the past. Our soldiers
fought to give her freedom; and for
three years our representatives,
civil and military, have toiled unceas-
ingly, facing disease of peculiarly
sinister and fatal type with patient
fortitude to teach her how to use
Alright her new freedom. Never in
history has any alien country been
thus administered, with such high in
tegrity of purpose, such wise judg-
ment, and such a single-handed deyo-
tion to the country's interests. Now
I ask that the Cubans be given all
possible chance to use to the best adj
vantage the freedom of which Ameri
cans have such right to be proud, and
for which so many American lives
have been sacrificed"