The evening times., 1902-06-13

The President today sent to Congress
special message on the Cuban sugar
situation. The message is a follows:
To the Senate and House Of Representa-
tives.
/ deem it important before the ad-
jouEnment Of the present session Of Con
gTess TO call attention 10 the following
expressions in the message which in the
discharge of the duty imposed upon me
by the Constitution I 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 weiRE-y reasons of
morality and Of national interest why
the policy should be held TO haze a
peculiar application. and I most earnest
II ask your attention TO the wisdom. In
deed 10 the vital need, of providing for
substantial reduction in the tariff
duties on Cuban imports into the United
states. Cuba has in her constitution
aifiFmed 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 consideration Of honor and cx-
pediency to pass commercial measures
IN The interest of her material weIl-be-
ing"
This Recommendation was merely Efy-
ing practical effect to President Nc
Hinley's, words. when. in his message
Of December 5. 1885. and December ).
1882. he wrote:
1T is important that our relations
EIth this people (of Cuba) shall be OF
the most friendly character and our
commercial relations close and reeipro-
cal. Ne have accepted a trust.
the fulhIIment Of which calls for the
sternest integrity of purpose and the
e,5eycise of the highest wisdom the
Few Cuba vet 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 blessing which can
come TO Cuba is the restoration OF her
agricultural and industrial prosperity
Yesterday, June y. received by
cable from the American minister in
Cuba a nest earnest appeal from Presl-
dent Palma for Legislative relief be-
fore il is too late and thisl country f.
nancially ruined"
The granting Of reciprocity with Cuba
is q proposition which stands entirely
alone The reasons for it far outweigh
these for granting reciprocity with any
other nation, and arc entirely consist
ent with preserving intact the pr0Iec-
tive system under which this country
has thriven 50 marvelousiy- The pres
ent tariff Law vas designed 10 promote
the adoption of such q reciprocity
treaty. and expressly provided for re-
duction not to exceed 20 per cent upon
goods coming from a particular country.
leaving the tariff rates on the same ar
tfcies unchanged as regards all other
countries. Objection has been made 10
the granting OF the reduction on the
ground that the substantial benefit
would not 20 TO tbe agricultural pro-
ducer OF sugar but would inure 70 the
American sugar rehners- In my judg
uent provision can. and should. be
made which VIII guarantee US against
this possibility; without having Tc
course to a measure OF doubtful poll
CT. such as a bounty in the form OF
rebate.
The question as to which if any Of
the different schedules OF the tariff
ought most properly to be revised does
not s.ater into this matter in any way
or shape We are concerned with get
ting a friendly reciprocal arrangement
with Cuba. This arrangement applies
10 all the articles that Cuba grows or
produces. Il is not in our power 20 de-
termine what these articles shall be;
apd any discussion OF the tariff as il
affects special schedules. or countries
other than Cuba. is wholly aside from
the subject matter TO which I call your
attention.
Some OF our citizens oppose the low
ering Of the tariff on Cuban products
lust as three years ago they opposed
the admission Of the Hawaiian Islands
les, free trade with them might ruin
certain Of our interests here. IN the
actual event their fears were proved
baseIess as regards Eawaii. and their
acprehensions as 10 the damage 10 any
t1j1istrv Of our own because Of the pro
rosed measure Of reciprocity with Cuba
seem TO ne equally baseless. In my
Judgment no American industry will be
hurt. and many American Industries VIII
he benefited, by the proposed action
II is TO our advantage as nation that
the growing Cuban market should be
controlled by American producers.
The events following the war with
Spain. and the prOspec i've building OF
the Isthmian Canal relder Il certain
that we must take in the future a far
greater interest than hitherto in what
Happens throughout the West Indies
ce6trai America, and the adjacent
eaaets and waters. We expect Cuba to
treat us on an exceptional footing po-
Iitically. and we should put her in the
same exceptional position economically
The proposed action is in line with tho
course we have pursued as regards all
the islands with which ne have been
brought into relations Of varying init
macy by the Spanish war. Porto Rico
snd Hawaii have been included within
our tariff lines, 20 their great benefit
Is well as ours. and without any of the
feared detriment TO oGr own industries.
The Philippines, which stand in dif