The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1903-11-10
PRESIDEN
MESSAGE
The Two Houses Received the Official
Message From the President
n at the Morning Session.
The Message Is More Brief Than Such
Communications Usually Are
--Its Full Text.

the joint committee appinted to notify
President Roosevelt that congress was
in session, ready to do business and to
receive any message he might have to
communicate to it called at the White
House to perform its duty. Later he
/ sent message to both houses which is
as follows:
TO the senate and house Of repre-
sentatives: s
Il have convened the congress that it
may consider the legislation necessary 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. i
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 amendment was required from
Cuba by the action of congress OF the
United States, this government thereby
committed itself'to the policy Of treat
ing Cuba as occupying a unique position
as regards this country. It was pro-
vided that when the island became a
free and independent republic she should
stand in such close relations with us
as in certain respects to come within
our system of international policy; and
it necessarily followed that she must
also, to a. certain degree, become in
,cluded within the lines Of our economic
policy.
Situated as Cuba is, it would not be
possible for this country to permit the
strategic abuse of the plan by any for
eign military power. 1t is for this rca-
son that certain limitations have been
imposed upon her financial policy and
that naval stations have been eonceded
by her to the United States. The flego-
stiations as to the, details OF these naval
stations are on the eve Of completion.
They are so situated as to- prevent any
idea that there IS the intention ever
to use them against Cuba, or otherwise
than for the protection of Cuba from
the assaults Of foreign foes, and for the
better safeguarding of American inter-
5ests in the waters south of us. These
interests have been argely increased by
the consequences of the war with Spain,
and will be still further increased by the
building of the Isthmian Canal. They
are both military and economic. The
granting to us by Cuba of the naval
stations above alluded to is Of the utmost
importance from a military standpoint
and is proof Of the good faith with
which Cuba is treating us. Cuba has
made great progress since her independ4
ence was established. She has advanced
steadily in every way. She already stands
high among her. sister republics Of the
new world She iss loyalty observing
her obligations to us and she Is entitled
to like treatment BY u.s.
The treaty submitted to you for ap-
proval secures to the United States
economic advantages as great as these
given to Cubas Not an American inter-
est is sacrificed. BY the treaty a large
Cuban market is secured to our produc7
ers. It is 4 market which lies at ont
d9oTS Kh'se M a.is s already aTgs Which
esRecially nportaif t6 tle q eveio iopnnent
ofs0ur export tnsde K would ~ ~
deed shortysighted for us ia refuse to
t3k advantage Of such opportunity and
to force Etbz into making arrangements
with ottier Countries to our disadvanE.
taFe. ls u.s. 81 y 4 ri il,
This reciprocitys treaty stands BY it-5
SELF ft Is adefna1dcd ION consideration
of broad natiqlsl policy IS we'll IS slby
our seeonouic sefSsg AT win do harm
70 no industry win benefit riiany
q III q ~.