Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-06-13
Not Influenced by Decision of Beet
Sugar Senator'S

President Roosevelt's reafflrmation to
Congress and the country of his attitude
on Cuban reciprocity fell with unexpected
ness on the opponents of action in behalf
of Cuba, and forever puts an end, it Is ad-
mitted by public men, to continual misrep-
resentation of the position of the chief
executive.
That a special message would be sent to
Congress was known to few persons at
the White House some time before the doc
ument was ready for transmission. The
President had earnestly considered the mat
ter for some time, and his determination
was really reached several days ago. His
conviction that he should do this was made
known to number Of republican
leaders during the last few days,
and there was no opposition to the con-
templated course. The action of the anti
reciprocity republican 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 serding his message to Congress today
He would probably have communicated MS
views to the legislative body today or to-
morrow had the recalcitrant senators reach
ed no agreement at all.
A Question of Duty.
The Presidents action, it may be stated
by the broad question of this country's
duty to Cuba and of fairness to the new
republic that has taken it's place in the
ssterhood of nations.
From political aspect solely the Presi-
dent might have been deferred in his ac-
ton. 1t has been pointed out to him time
and time again that his warmest political
support is in the section of the country
where there is the greatest opposition to
reciprocity the west and northwest 1t is
from this section of the country that the
President naturally expects the Warmest
support for his nomination in 1904. All of
the northwest is conceded to feel kindly 10
the President Why should he not remain
content with the position he had taken.
without accentuating his views in special
message, thereby taking chances in harm
ing his political prospects?
No Political Considerations.
That was the question put before the
President in many ways, not as broadly or
as pointedly as here put, but with that del
icate innuendo that the politicians know
how to use. But 1t was unnecessary to
suggest the point to the President. He
himself could see that. He did not. how
ever, hesitate to decide that he would not
permit his political prospects to stand In
the way of his plain duty. He even told
his close friends that it was a matter of re-
gret to him that he had to take a position
hostile to the wishes of his warmest sup
porters.
The Presidents Reasons.
The President felt that 1t would not be In
keeping with his own nature and with his
duty as chief executive of the country to
abandon the position he had taken. That
would be abhorrent to his sense Of the
proper course of both the man and the ex-
ecutive. He reflected and the thought sug-
gested itself that he would in fixed man
ner plant his flag SO that the colors could
be seen by everybody.
The Relations With Cuba.
The President was moved, too, by the be-
lief that the relations Of the United States
and Cuba must necessarily grow closer and
warmer, and that kindly feeling In Cuba
cannot be kindled by legislation that pos
siby means commercial ruin to that coun-
try II the United States means what 1t
has declared about its future policy to
Cuba it cannot inaugurate that policy by
blow that would be keenly felt in every
part of the island and by every citizen.
Friendship could not be held out alluringly
in one hand and deadly weapon used in
another. That would be piece OF deceit
and bad faith that would make Cuba sus-
picious Of the United States for years to
come and would prevent that feeling that
ought to and must exist between the two
countries.
The Cabinets Approval.
The President before sending the mes
sage to Congress, presented his analysis OF
the situation to his cabinet, and did it in a
way to win the warm approval Of his ad-
visers.
With the Presidents renewed declaration
as to the duty of Congress will probably
end his active efforts to bring about reci-
procity. If legislation in that direction
fails the blame will not attach to the re-
publican party as a whole, but to the
men whose obstruction has caused the fail
ure. The President will have done his
whole duty and will believe that he has not
which an executive can advance in his
recommendations and advice to Congress.
He will not by further persistence give
ground for the charge that he is undertak-
ing to exercise pressure upon Congress. He
has discharged his responsibility officially
and personally. and his labors are ended.
Gen. Woods Payments.
The President does not think that the
matter of the payment Of Gen. Wood Of
money to aid In the distribution Of informa-
tion as to conditions in Cuba should have
any bearing en- the solution Of the question.
and his message Is his announcement to
the country that the United States does
something to Cuba regardless Of attempts
to make political capital out Of the interest
the sugar trust may have in the affair.
FIRST OF THE KIND.