The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1903-11-10
IN MESSAGE TO CONGRESS
A Failure TO Enact Such Legislation
PerilouSly Fear Reputation Of
Pledged Faith Of Nation.

Washington, Nov. 10.-President Roose-
velt's message to Congress was read in
both the House and Senate this afternoon.
The message in full is as follows.
To the Senate and House OF Represen-
tatives: / have convened the Congress
that it may consider the legislation neces-
sary to put into operation the commercial
treaty with Cuba, which was ratified BY
the Senate at its last session, and subse-
quently by the Cuban government.
deem such legislation demanded not only
by our interest but By our honor. We
cannot with propriety abandon the course
upon which we have so wisely embarked.
When the acceptance Of the Platt amend.
ment was required from Cuba by the ac-
tion Of the Congress Of the United States
this government thereby definitely com
mitted Itself to the policy Of treating Cuba
as occupying unique position as regards
this country 1t was provided that when
the island became a free and independent
republic she should stand in sneh close re-
latiOns with as as Ia certain respects to
come within our system of international
policy; and 1t necessarily followed that
she must also To a certain degree become
included within the lines of our economic
policy Situated as Cuba Is 1t would not
be possible for this country to permit the
strategic abuse of the island by any for
eign military power.
It is for this reason that certain limita-
tions hare been imposed upon her finan-
cial policy and that naval stations have
been conceded by her to the UnitedStates.
The negotiations as to the details Of these
naval stations are on the eve Of compile
tion. They are 50 situated ais to prevent
any idea that there Is the intention ever
to use them against Cuba, or otherwise
than tor the protection Of Cuba from the
assault of foreign foes, and for the better
Safeguarding o. American interests Ia the
waters south of us
These interests have been largely increas-
ed by the consequences of the war with
Spain and win be still further increased
by the building Of the isthmian canal.
They are both military and economic. The
granting 10 Us by Cuba 81 the naval sta
ti0ns above alluded to is Of the most inn
portance from a military standpoint, aud
Is proof Of the good faith with which
Cuba IS treating MS. Cuba has made great
progress since her independence was es-
tablished She has advanced steadily in
every way. She already stands high among
her sister republics Of the New World
she is Loyalty observing her obligations to
us, and sheis entitled to like treatment by
us.
The treaty submitted to you for approv-
al secures to the United States economic
advantages as great ais those given to Gu
ba Not an American Interest is SacTi-
feed By the treaty large Cuban mar
'ket is secured to our producers Il is a
market which lies at our doors, which is
already large, which IS capable Of great
expansion ann which is especially import
ant to the development Of our export trade.
IT would Be indeed Ortsighted for us TO
refuse 10 take advantage Of such an OPP
nortunity and 10 force Cuba into making
arrangements with other countries to our
disadvantage.
This reciprocity treaty stands by it.
self. 1t is demanded on considerations Of
broad national policy as well as BY our
economic interests. Ii will do harm to no
industry. It will benefit many indus
tries. II Is in the interest of our people
as a whole both because of its Importance
from the broad standpoint of International
policy, and because economically It ulti-
mately concerns us to develop and secure
the rich Cuban market for our farmers,
artisans, merchants and manufacturers
Finally, it is desirable as a guarantee Of
the good faith OF our nation toward her
young sister repubIicto the south, whose
welfare must ever be closely bound with
ours, We gave her liberty. We are knit
to her by the memory Of the blood and the
courage Of our soldiers who fought for her
in war; By the memories OF the wisdom
and integrity of our administrators who
served her in peace and who started her SO
well on the diificult path of self govern
ment We must help her onward and up
ward; and in helping her we shall help
ourselves
The foregoing considerations caused the
negotiation Of the treaty with Cuba and
its ratification by the Senate. They now
with equal force support the legislation by
the congress which BY the terms 81 the
treaty is necessary to render 1t operative.
A failure to enact such Legislation would
come perilously near reputation Of the
pledged faith Of the nation.
transmit herewith the treaty, as
amended BY the Senate and ratified by the
Cuban government.
Theodore Roosevelt.