Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1902-06-19
Roc sevsll's Message.

The presidents message follows:
ITO the Senate and House: l deem
it important before adjournment of the
present session of congress to call at
ten.ion TO the following expressions in
the message in the discharge of the
duty imposed upon me by the consd
tuition l sent to congress on the first
Tuesday of December last:
s'.IGsewhere i have discussed the
question of reciprocity. In the case of
Cuba, however, are weighty reasons
of morality and national interest why
the policy should be held to have pecu-
liar application, and l most earnestly
ask your attention to the wisdom-in-
deed, to the vital need-of providing
for a substantial reduction in tariff du
ties 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 considera-
ton of honor and expediency to pass
commercial measures in the interest OF
her we'll being
This recommendation was merely
giving practical effect to President Nc
Kinley's words, when in his message
of December 5, 1885, he wrote:
LIT is important our relations with
this people (of Cuba) shall be of most
friendly character, and our commercial
relations close and reciprocal. We have
accepted a trust, the fulfillment of
which calls for the sternest integ-
rity of purpose and the exercise of the
highest wisdom. The new Cuba yet to
rise from the ashes of the past must
needs be bound to US by ties of singu-
lar intimacy and strength If it's endur-
ing welfare is to be assured. The great
est blessing which can come to Cuba
is the restoration of her agricultural
and industrial prosperity
Appeal From Pclma.
yesterday l received by cable from
the American minister in Cuba a most
earnest appeal from President Palma
for Legislative relief before it is too
late and (his) country is financially
ruined
THE granting of reciprocity with
Cuba is proposition which stands en-
tirely alone. The reasons for it far
outweigh the granting of reciprocity
with any other nation and are entire
ly consistent with preserving intact
the protective system under which
this country has striven so much. The
present tariff law was designed to pro-
mote the adoption of such reciprocity
treaty, and especially provided for a
reduction not to exceed 20 per cent
upon goods coming from particular
country, leaving the tariff rates on
these same articles unchanged as re-
garding all other countries. Objection
has been made to granting the reduc-
tion on the ground that the substantial
benefit would not go to the agricultural
producers of sugar, but would injure
the American sugar refiners. In my
judgment provision can and should be
made which will guarantee us against
this possibility without having re-
course to a measure of doubtful policy
such as bounty in the form OF a re-
bate. 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 get
ting a friendly reciprocal arrangement
with Cuba. This arrangement applies
to all articles Cuba grows or produces.
1t is not in our power to determine
what these articles shall be, and any
discussion of the tariff as it affects
certain schedules or countries other
than Cuba is wholly aside from the
subject matter to which l call your at
tention."
Hawaii az en- Example.
Some of our citizens oppose lowering
the tariff on Cuban products just as
three years ago they opposed the adj
mission of the Hawaiian islands, lest
free trade With them might ruin GER
tain of our interests here. In the ac-
tual event their fears proved baseless
as regards Hawaii, and their apprehen-
sions as to damage to any industry Of
our own because of the proposed meas
ure of reciprocity with Cuba seems to
me equally baseless. In my judg-
inent no American industry would be
hurt and many American industries
be benefited by the proposed action.
1t is to our advantage as nation that
the growing Cuban market be con-
trolled by American producers. The
events following the war with Spain
and the prospective building of the
isthnian canal render certain that we