Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1902-06-13

as lis found in the form Of the 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 getting a
friendly RECIPROCAL arrangement
with Cuba. This arrangement ap-
plies; to all articles that 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 special schedules
for countries other than Cuba, is
wholly aside from the subject mat
ter to which l call your attention.
Some of our citizens oppose the
lowering ot the tariff on Cuban
products, jast as three years ago
they opposed admission of Hawa-
iian islands, lest free trade with
them might ruin certain Of our in
tereStS here. In the actual event
their fears proved baseless as re-
CARDS Hawaii, and their apprehen-
sions as to damage to any indus
try of our own because of the
proposed measure of reciprocity
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 proposed
action. 1t is to our advantage as
a nation that the growing market
should be controlled by American
producers.
Events following the war with
Spain, and prospective building of
the 1sthmian canal, render 1t GER
tain we must take, In the future,
far greater interest than hitherto
In what happens thruout the West
Indies, Central America, and ada
cent courts and waters. We ex-
pect Cuba to treat us on an excep-
tional footing politically, and we
should put her in the same excep-
tional position. The proposed ac-
ton is in line with the course we
have pursued as regards all the
islands with which we have been
brought into relations of varying
intimacy by the Spanish war. Por-
to Rico and Hawaii have been in
cldded within our tariff lines, to
their great benefit as well as ours,
and without any feared detriment
to our own industries. The Philip
pines, which stand in different
relation. have been granted sub
stantial tariff concessions Cuba
is an independent republic, but a
republic which has assumed GER
tain special obligati as regards
her international position in COM
pliance with our request. I ask for
her certain special economic con-
cesisions in return; these economic
concessions to benefit us al as well
as her. There are few brighter
pages in American history than
the page which tells of our deal
ines with Cuba during the past
four years. On her behalf we
waged a war of which the main
spring was generous Indignation
against oppression and we have
kept faith absolutely. 1t is earn
estly to be hoped that we will COM
plete in the same spirit the record
so well begun, and show in our
dealings with Cuba that steady
continuity of policy which it is es-
sential for our nation to establish
in foreign affairs, if we desire to
play we'll our part as a world pow
er.
We are a wealthy and powerful
nation. Cuba is a young republic
still weak, who owes to us her birth,
whose whole future. whose very
life. must depend on our attitude
towards here. I ask that we help
her as she struggles upwards along
the difficult road of self governing
independence. l ask this aid for her
because she is weak because she
needs it, because we have already
aided her. ! ask that operl- handed
help, of the kind which self respect
ing people can accept, be given to
Cuba, for the very reason that we
have given her such help in the
past. Our soldiers fought 10 give to
give her freedom; and for three
years our representatives civil
and military, have toiled uncease-
ingly, facing disease pecul arly sin
lister and fatal, with uncornplaining
fortitude to teach her how to use
Alright her new freedom. Never in
the history has any alien country
been thus administered, with such
high integrity of purpose. such wise
judgement, such single handed de-
votion to the country's interests.
Now | ask that 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.
(Signed)
THEODORE ROOSEVELT.
AFTER hNI1 NEEIHE