The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1902-06-19
Urging Cuban Reciprocity Trans
mitled by Roosevelt.
ASKS QUICK ACTION ON BILL
Strona Plea For American Support to
Struggling RepubIic-Presioert
Incurs Displeasure Of Many
of His Supporters.

t6fkfHS Wllh q AuLnDei VI iSouei' 40
congress regarding Cuban reciprocity,
President Roosevelt, Friday; aetermin-
ed to send a message to congress real
firming his attitude on the subject
The president has earnestly consid-
cred the matter for several days, and
It is sisted that the action Of the anti
reciprocity republican senators Thurs
day, 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.
The presidents action, it may be
stated from sources c.oss to him, was
Influenced by the broad question OF
the duty of the United States to Cuba
and of fairness to the new republic.
1t has been pointed out to the presl'
dent that his warmest political support
is in the section Of the country where
there is the greatest opposition to re-
eipreeity, the west and northwest, and
that lie should remain content with the
stand ne had taken without accentuat-
ing his views in a special message. 1t
is known, however, that the president
did not hesitate to arrive at the con-
clusiol that he would not let his polltl-
cal prospects interfere with what ne
regarded as his plain duty.
The president was further led to
conclude that the relations OF the
United States and Cuba must neces-
sarily grow closer and that the United
States should not at the outset, after
its declared purpose toward the island,
assume a position contrary thereto,
and thus arouse the suspicious OF the
Cuban government as to our real In
tentions toward 1t.
It is stated that the presidents posi-
i've declaration as to the duty OF con-
gress probably will end his active et'
forts to bring about reciprocity.
n his message the president says,
among 6thef things:
"The granting Of reciprocity with
Cuba is a proposition which STANDS en-
tirely alone. The reasons for It far
outweigh those for granting reciproc'
ity with any other nation, and are en-
tire1v consistent with preserving In
tact the protective system under which
this country has thriven so marvel
lousy. The present tariff law was de-
signed to promote the adoption OF such
a reciprocity treaty, and to expressly
Dreytds for a reduction not to exceed
20 per cent upon needs coming from a
particular country, leaving the tariff
rates on the articles unchanged as
regards ali other countries. Objection
has been made to the granting OF re-
duction on the grotnd that the sub
stantial benefit would not 80 to the
AGRICULTURAL producer of sugar, bu'
would insure the American sugar re
fneries.
"In my judgment provision can and
shouid be made which will guarantee
lis against this possibility, without
having recourse to a measure OF doubt
fal peliey, such as bounty n the
form ST 4 rebate. The question as to
which if any Of the different schedules
of the tariff ought most property to be
revised does not enter into the matter
in any way or shape. We are concernl
ed with getting a friendly reciprocity
ARRANGEMENT with Cuba. This arrange
meHt applies to all the articles that
| Cuba grows OF produces. It is not in
our power t6 determine what these ar
| ticles shall be; and any discussion o.
the tariff as 1t affects special sched
ules or countries other than Cuba is
wholly aside from the subject matter
to which 1 call your attention.
"ssue of our citizens oppose tne
lowering OF the tariff on Cuban pro
| ducts, just as three years ago they op
| posed the admission of the Hawaiian
islands, lest free trade with them
might ruin certain of our interests
here. In the actual event their fears
nroyed baseless as regards Hawaii and
their apprehensions as to the damage
to any industry Of our own because o.
the proposed measure Of reciprocity
| with Cuba seem to me equally base
less.
"In my judgment, No American in
dustry will be hurt and many Amerl
can industries will be benefited by tn'
proposed action. It is our advantage
as a nation that the growing Cuoal
market should be controlled by ou
own producers.