The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-06-13
PLAIN DUTY.
The President Won't Sacrifice
1t to Politics.
Determines on Special Mes
sage to Congress.
HIS FINAL APPEAL
On Behalf of Reciprocity With
Cuban Republic.
Sorry to Stand Against His
Friends but Must Do It.
IT STANDS ALL ALONE.
Question Of Reciprocity is Not
Connected With Amy Other.
Quotes an ImplOring Message
From Palma.

Washington. June 1s.-After talking
with a number of the leaders in con
gress regarding Cuban reciprocity.
President Roosevelt today determined
to send a message to congress reaIIiLin-
ing his attitude on the subject ne
president has earnestly considered tlie
matter for several days and 1t IS stat
ted that the action Of the anti-reclp-
rocity Republican senators yesterday In
deciding to hold out against the pollcy
advocated by the majority OF the party
did not influence the president in the
least in deciding to transmit MS mes
sage to congress today
The presidents action. it may be sta
ted from sources close to him. was in
duenced 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
ciprocity, the west and northwest. and
that he should remain content with the
stand he had taken without aceentuaL-
ing his views in special message u
is known. however, that the president
did not hesitate to arrive at a cOnclu-
sion that he would not let his political
prospects interfere with what he re-
garded as his plain duty 1t is further
known that he told his friends that It
was q source of great regret to him to
take a position hostile TO the wishes OF
his Warmest supporters but that he felt
1t would not be in keeping with his own
nature and his position of chief eXecu-
tive to longer remain silent on this sub
ject and thereby give an opportunity for
false speculation as to his attitude
The president was further led to con-
Glide that the relations of the United
States and Cuba must necessarily grow
closer and that the United States should
not at the outset. after its declared pur-
poses toward the island. assume DO
sitiOn contrary thereto and thus arouse
the suspicious of the Cuban government
as to our real intentions toward 1t.
1t is stated that the presidents posi-
tive declaration in his n essage today as
TO the duty of congress probably will
end his active efforts to bring about re-
ciprOcity.
The president today sent the follow
ing message to congress:
The Senate and the House: deem
it important before the adjournment of
the present session of congress to call
attention to the following expression in
the message which in the discharge of
the duty imposed upon me by the con-
stitution I sent to congress 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
morality and Of national interest why
peculiar application and most earnest
ly ask your attention to the wisdom.
indeed, to the vital need, Of providing
fer a substantial reduction in the tariff
duties 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-
tiOn of honor and expediency, to pass
comm ercial measures in the interest Of
her we'll being"
This recommendation was merely
giving practical effect to President Nc
Kinleys words when, in his message of
December 5, 1898, and December 5, 1899.
le wrote
1t is important that our relations
with this people fof Cuba) shall be of
the most friendly character and our
commercial relations close and recip-
rocaL We have accepted a
trust, the fulhllment of which calls for
the sternest integrity of purpose and
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 singular intimacy and strength
If its enduring welfare is to be assured.
The greatest blessing which
can come to Cuba is the restoration of
her agricultural and Industrial pros
perity."
Yesterday June u, I received by ca
bic, from the American minister in Cuba
a most earnest appeal from President
Palma for Legislative relief before it is
too late and (his) 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
other nation. and are entirely consis
ent with preserving intact the prospec-
tive system under which this country
has thriven so meEyeIously- The pres
ent tariff law was designed to promote
the adoption Of such reciprocity treaty
and expressly provided for a reduction
not to exceed 20 per cent uDOn goods
coming from particular country leaN-
ing the tariff rates on the same articles
unchanged as regards all other coun-
tries Objection has been made to the
granting Of the reduction on the ground
that the substantial benefit would not
60 to the agricultural producer of sugar
but would inure to the American sugar
reflners. In my judgment provision can
and should be made, which will suaran-
tee US against this possibility. without
having recourse to doubtful policy, such
as bounty In the form of rebate.
The question as to which if any or
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 friendly reciprocal agreement
with Cuba This arrangement anDiies
TO al the articles that Cuba grows or
produces. It IS not in our power to
4stsrnine what these articles shall be: