Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-06-16
ROOSEVELT MAKES PLEA
FOR STRUGGLING REPUBLIC

FOR STRUGGLING REPUBLIC
WASHINGTON. June 14.-The president
yesterday sent the following message to
congress:
TO the Senate and House OF Representa-
tives.
7 deem II important before the adjourn
rnent OF the present session OF congress
20 call attention 20 the following express
Eions IN the message which in the dis
charge of duty imposed upon me BY the
constitution I sent TO congress on the first
Tuesday OF December last.
'Elswhere have discussed the question
OF reciprocity. In the case Of Cuba. how
ever. there are weighty reasons OF moral
Sly and OF national interest why the policy
should be held 10 have a particular apli-
cation. and I most earnestly ask your
attention TO the wisdom. indeed TO the Vi
tai need Of privilege for a substantial re-
duction in the tariff duties on Cuban i'm
ports into the United States. Cuba has I'm
her constitution affirmed what we desired.
that she should stand. in international
matters. in closer and more friendly rela-
lions with Us than with any other power;
and we are bound by every consideration
OF honor and expeditiency to pass com
mercial measures in the interest OF her
material well being.
This recommendation was merely Civ
ing practical effect 10 President McKin-
ley's words. when. in his messages OF De-
cember 5. ISIS. and December 51sSe. he
wrote:
"Tt Is important that our relations
with this people Cof Cuba) shall be of the
most friendly character and our CONNER
cial relations close and reciprocal. We
have accepted trust. the fuldllment OF
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
10 US By ties OF singular intimacy and
strength II its enduring welfare is TO be
assured. The greatest benefit which can
come 10 Cuba is the restoration OF her
agricultural and Industrial prosperity
Yesterday. June y. 1 received. by ca
hle. from Cuba. a most earnest appeal
from President Palma for legislative re-
lief before Il Is too late and Chisl country
financially ruined"
The granting OF reciprocity with Cuba
IS a proposition which stands entirely
alone. The reasons for Il far outweigh
those for granting reciprocity with any
other nation. and are entirely consistent
with preserving intact the protective sys-
TEN under which this country has thriven
60 marvellously. The present tariff law
was designed to promote the adoption OF
such reciprocity treaty. and expressly
provided for a reduction not TO exceed %
Per cent upon needs coming from par
ticular country. leaving the tariff rates on
the articles unchanged as regards all other
countries. Objection has been made TO
the granting OF reduction on the ground
that the substantial benefit would not go
10 the agricultural producer OF sugar. but
would insure the American sugar REIN
cries
In my judgment provision can and
should be made which viii guarantee US
against this possibility. without having
recourse TO a measure Of doubtful policy.
such as a bounty in the form OF a re-
bate. The question as 10 which IS any
Of the different schedules OF the tariff
ought most properly TO be revised does
not enter into the matter In any way or
shape. We are concerned with getting a
friendly reciprocity arrangement with
Cuba This arrangement applies 10 all
the articles that Cuba grows or produces.
IL r. not in our power 70 determine what
these articles shall be: and any discus
sion OF the tariff as IL affects special
schedules or countries other than Cuba
fs wholly aside from the subject matter
20 which I call your attention
Some OF our citizens oppose the low
erfng OF the tariff on Cuban products.
fust as three years ago they opposed the
admission OF the Hawaiian islands. lest
free trade with them might ruin GER
tain OF our interests here In, the &C
tual event their fears proved baseless as
regards Hawaii and their apprehensions
"a 10 the damage 10 any Industry OF our
own because OF the proposed meausre OF
reciprocity with Cuba seem to me equally
baseiess-
ON my judgment. no American industry
VIII be hurt and many American indus
tries viii be benefited by the proposed &C
zion. IL IS 10 our advantage as a nation
that the growing Cuban market should be
controlled BY our own producers.
ssThe events following the war with
Enain and the prospective building Of the
Isthn1ian canal. render II certain that we
v,11st take IN the future far greater in
ferest than hitherto in what happens
fhrouehout the West Indies. Central
America and the adjacent coasts and wa
tiers. We expect Cuba - treat Us on an