The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1902-06-19
THE PRESIDENT ACTS
Cuban Reciprocity Urged In
Special Message.
SAYS REBATE WILL NO! ANSWER.
Congress Is strongly Asked to Aid
Cuba-Duty and Self Interest De-
mand speedy LeRislation-Mr.
Mckinley Is Quoted.

Mckinley Is Quoted.
| WASHINGTON, June IA. - After
talking with number of the leaders
in congress regarding Cuban reciproc-
ity President Roosevelt yesterday sent
a message to congress reaffirming his
attitude on the subject. The president
has earnestly considered the matter for
several days.
The reciprocity message has given
senators q live topic of conversation,
but so far as is yet apparent there is no
change in the situation. There Is n dis
position on the part of the leaders on
both sides of the controversy to claim
when speaking publicly some adyan-
tage from the message.
The presidents message is as fol-
lows:
l deem II important before the adjourn
ment of the present session of congress TO
call attention to the following expressions
! IN the message which. in the discharge OF
the duty, imposed upon me by the consti-
! tuition, l sent to congress on, the first
| Tuesday of December last:
| Elsewhere | have discussed the ques-
tion of reciprocity. In the case of Cuba,
however there are weighty reasons of
policy should be held to have a peculiar
application, and most earnestly ask your
attention to the wlsdom-indeed; to the
vital need-of providing for substantial
reduction in the tariff duties on Cuban
imports into the United States. Cuba has
in her constitution affirmed what we de-
sired-that she should stand in interna-
| tional matters in closer and more friendly
relations with us than with any other
power-and we are bound by every con-
sideration of honor and expediency to
pass commercial measures in the interest
OF her material well being,
This recommendation was merely CIV
ing practical effect to President McKin-
eIs I |9T%S 9na Bae BSReH Is 5 sf he wrot of Dec
1T is important that our relations with
this people (of Cuba) shall be of the most
friendly character and our commercial
accepted a trust the fulfllment of which
| and the exercise of the highest wisdom.
The new Cuba yet to arise from the
ashes of the past must needs be bound to
strength Il It's enduring welfare s to be
assured. The greatest blessing which can
come to cuba is the restoration of her
on June IL | received by cable from the
American minister in Cuba most earnest
lative relief before it is too late and this)
country financially ruined"
The granting of reciprocity with Cuba
is a proposition which stands entirely
alone. The reasons for it far outweigh
those for granting reciprocity with any
with preserving intact the protective sys-
tenn under which this country has thriven
so maryelously The present tariff law
was designed to promote the adoption of
such reciprocity treaty and expressly
provided for reduction not to exceed 20
per cent upon goods coming from par
ticuar country leaving the tariff rates
on the same articles unchanged as re-
CARDS all other countries objection has
been made to the granting of the reduc-
tion on the ground that the substantial
benefit would not go to the agricultural
ment provision can and should be made
which which will guarantee & us against g this pos
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 arrangement with Cuba. This
Arrangement applies to all the articles
in our power 10 determine what these
articles shall be. and any discussion of
the tariff as It affects special schedules
aside from the subject matter to which
| call your attention.
Some of our citizens oppose the lowering
of the tariff on Cuban products just as
/ three years ago they opposed the adms-
sion of & the Hawaiian Islands lest free
their fears proved baseless as regards
|
the damage to any industry of our own
because of the proposed measure of reci-
procity 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 propos-
| ed action. 1t is to our advantage as a
nation that the growing Cuban market
should be controlled by American pro-
! ducerS.
Cuba is an Independent republic, but q
republic which has assumed certain spe-
cial obligations as regards her interna-
tional position in compliance with our re-
quest. | ask for her certain special eco
nomic concessions in return, these eco
nomic cS eSncessiGns to- to bene5 b us as well as as
American history than the page which
tells of our dealings with Cuba during the
a war of which the handspring was gem
erous indignation against oppression, and
heS ,G kept Bt b6nt6 fa6 tbS b6i0gey YIN It
plete in the same spirit the record so we'll
begun and show in our dealings with
which il is essential for our nation TO es-
tablish in foreign affairs If we desire TO
Wg SuT wfpatby pafb as and wopa
Cuba is a young republic, still weak who
owes to us her birth, whose whole future.
tude toward her i ask that we help her
as she struggles upward along the painful
and difficult road Of self governing indie
! she is weak because she needs it, because
, we have already aided her. | ask that
open handed help of a kind which self
J respecting people can accept be given to
, Cuba for the very reason that we have
given her such help in the past. Our sol
! diers fought to give her freedom, and for
, | three years our representatives. civil and
! military have toiled increasingly. facing
} | disease of a peculiarly sinister and fatal
, | type with patient and accomplishing for
titude, to teach her how to use Alright he
new freedom. Never in history has ans
alien country been thus administered with
such high integrity of purpose such wise
! judgment and such single minded devo-
, | tion TO the country's interest. Now / ash
. that the Cubans be given all possible
[ chance to use to the best advantage the
, | freedom of which Americans have such
right to be proud and for which so many
!, American lives have been sacrificed.