The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-06-14
APPEAL FOR
 RECIPROCITY Roosevelt Sends Message
 to Congress. BEET SUGAR MEN FIRM Latest Development Has Not
 Shaken Them. Intimate That the Chief Executive Had Best Keep Hands of When Congress is Dealing
 With Question.

welt today sent message to Congress urging the passage of the Cuban recip- rocity bill.
 The Presidents message gave Senators a live topic of conversation today. but so far as is yet apparent. there is no change in the situation.
 There was disposition on the part of the leaders on both sides of the con- troversy to claim. when speaking publicly, some advantage from the message. The straight reciprocity men urged that the message would clear the atmosphere. render the Presidents attitude unmistaka- ble, and, therefore bring opponents within the party face to face with the fact that in continuing their opposition they are antagonizing the official head of the party.
 The beet sugar leaders declared at the close of the day that the message had caused no loss whatever to them, and that all those Senators who had stood with them yesterday arc still with them They also asserted that the Presidents s interpretation In the matter had had the effect of causing to hesitate some Senators who heretofore had not taken positive stand against reduction because of the feeling that the President should leave Congress to deal with the subject in its present stage.
 Senator Dietrich was among the most outspoken of the beet sugar men, and he made an unsuccessful effort to secure the attention of the chair after the read t,.., oF fHa xryha orn tyr his confidence say he meant to move for the discharge of the committee from the further consideration of the House bill in order to permit the immediate considera- ton of that measure.
 s The mes 5elsgc follows:
 The Presidents Message.
 ITO the Senate and House of Representa-
 tives:
 ''I deem it important before the ad- journment of the present session of Con- gress to call attention to the following expressions in the message which in the discharge of duty imposed upon me by the Constitution I sent to Congress on the first Tuesday of December last:
 Elsewhere I have discussed the ques- tion of reciprocity. In the case of Cuba, however, there are weighty reasons of morality and of national interest why the
  lar application, and I most earnestly ask your attention to the wisdom, indeed. to the vital need of privilege for a substan- tial reduction in the tariff duties on Gu ban imports into the United States. Cuba has in her Constitution affirmed what we desired, that she should stand in inter- national 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 commercial measures in the interest of her material well being.
 This recommendation was merely giv- ing practical effect to President McKin- leys words, when, in his message of De- cember 5, 1898, and December 5. 1899. he wrote:
 "It is important that our relations with this people (of Cuba) shall be of the most friendly character and our commer cial relations close and reciprocal. We have accepted a trust, the fulfllment 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 to us by ties of singular intimacy and strength if its enduring welfare is to be assured. The greatest benefit which can come to Cuba is the restoration of her agricultural and industrial prosper ity.'
 Appeal from Palma.
 Yesterday, June 12, received, by ca- ble. from Cuba, most earnest appeal from President Palma for legislative re- lief before 1t 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 other nation. and arc entirely consistent with preserving intact the protective sys- tenn under which this country has thrtven so marvelously. The present tariff law was designed to promote the adoption of such a reciprocity treaty, and expressly provided for reduction not to exceed 20 per cent upon needs coming from par ticular country, leaving the tariff rates on the articles unchanged as regards all oth- CT countries Objection has been made to the granting of reduction on the ground that the substantial benefit would not go to the agricultural producer of sugar, but would injue the American sugar refin- | cries.
 Tn my judgment provision can and should be made which will 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 to which if any of the different schetnles 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 to all 1 the articles that Cuba grows or produces. It is not in our power to determine what | these articles shall be; and any discus | sion of the tariff as 1t affects special | schedules or countries other than Cuba | is wholly aside from the subject matter | to which I call your attention.
 Fears of Free Trade.
 Some of our citizens oppose the low erinp of the tariff on Cuban products. just as three years ago they opposed re admission of the Hawaiian Islands. ltst free trade with thcm might ruin cer- tain of our interests here In the ac-
 /ooot;1ued on Page Threel