River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1902-06-19

Washington. June 14.-The president
Friday sent the following message to
congress:
ITO the Senate and House of Representa-
lives: l deem it important before the ad-
Iournment of the present session of congress
to call attention to the following express
sions in the message which in the discharge
of the duty imposed upon me by the consti-
tuition sent to congress on the first Tues
day of December last:
Elsewhere / 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 peculiar APP
plcation, and l most earnestly ask your
attentionto the wisdom, indeed to the vital
need, of providing for substantial reduc-
ton in the tariff duties on Cuban imports
into the United States Cuba has in her
constitution affirmed what we 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
expectancy to pass commercial measures
In the interest of her material we'll
being"
Voiced McKinIey's Sentiments
This recommendation was merely CIV
Ing practical effect to President McKin-
ley's words, when in his messages of De-
cember 5. 1898, and December 3, 1899, he
wrote:
" It is important that our relations with
this people (of Cuba) shall be of the
most friendly character and our CONNER
cal relations close and reciprocal. We
have accepted a trust the fulfillment 81
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 init
| macy and strength if it's enduring wei
| fare is to be assured. The greatest bless
ing which can come to Cuba is the res
| toration of her agricultural and industrial
| prosperity
Appeal from Palma.
| Yesterday, June IL, I received, by
| cable, from the American minister II
| Cuba, a most earnest appeal from Pres
| dent Palma for Legislative relief before
it is too late and (his) country financial
! ly ruined"
| 1.-THE granting of reciprocity with Cubf
is proposition which stands entirely
| alone. The reasons for it far outweief
those for granting reciprocity with an!
| other nation. and are entirely cons1sten
| with preserving intact the protective sys
tenn under which this country has thrivel
so marvelously. The present tariff Law
| was designed to promote the adoption o
| such a reciprocity treaty, and expreSSl.
| provided for a reduction not to exceed
20 per cent upon goods coming from
a particular country, leaving the tarlf
rates on the same articles unchanged a
| regards all other countries. Objection
has been made to the granting of the re
| duction on the ground that the substan
tial benefit would not go to the agricul
tural producer of sugar, but would in
ure to the American sugar ret1ners. L
my judgment provision can, and SHOULD
be, made which will guarantee US agalns
this possibility; without having recours
to a measure of doubtful policy, such Z
a bounty in the form of a rebate.
The Real Issue.
"The question as to which if any of tn
different schedules of the tariff ough
most properly to be revised does not ell
ter into this matter in any way or shape
We are concerned with getting a friend
ly reciprocal arrangement with Cuba
This arrangement applies to all the arti
cles that Cuba grows or produces. /
is not in our power to determine wha
these articles shall be; and any discus
sion of the tariff as it affects spec1a
schedules, or countries other than Cuba
is wholly aside from the subject matte
to which 1 call your attention.
GroundIess approximations.
"Some of our citizens oppose the low
ering of the tariff on Cuban products
just as three years ago they opposed tn
admission of the Hawaiian Islands, les
free trade with them might ruin certai
of our interests here. In the actual even
their fears proved baseless as regard
Hawaii, and their approximations as t
the damage to any industry of our oW
because of the proposed measure of rec
procity with Cuba seem to me equal
baseless. In my judgment no America
industry will be hurt, and many Amer
can industries will be benefited, by tn
proposed action. 1t is to our advantaS
as a nation that the growing Cuban mai