The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1903-11-11
PRESIDENT URGES FAVORABLE
ACTION ON THE CUBAN RE-
cIPRocITY TREATY.
ISLAND HAS FULFILLED ITS PLEDGES
PROPOSED LEGISLATION NECES.
SARY TO UPHOLD HONOR
OF THE COUNTRY.

Washington, Nov. 1.-THE days
session of congress was devoted main.
ly to listening to the presidents mes.
sage in support of reciprocity with
Cuba.
The message received the careful
attention of the senators and when
It's reading had been concluded Mr..
Cullom Gid was recognized TO move
the reference to the committee on
foreign relations of the message and
the Cuban treaty, the text OF which
had been transmitted with the mes
sage.
In the house the message received
considerable applause from the Re-
publican side.
Text of the Document.
To the Senate and House of Represen-
tatives:
have convened the congress that
II may consider the legislation nee
essary to put into operation the
commercial treaty with Cuba, which
was ratified by the senate at its last
session and subsequently by the Gu
ban government | deem such legis-
lation demanded not only by our in
terest, but by our honor. We cannot
with proprety abandon the course
upon which we have SO wisely en-
barked. 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
nncnnV1np
unique position as regards this coun-
try It was provided that when the
island became free and independ-
ent republic she should stand in such
close relation with us as in certain re-
spects to come within our system Of
international policy; and it necessar-
lily followed that she must also, to
certain degree, become included with
In the lines of our economic policy.
Naval Station Negotiations.
Situated as Cuba is it would not be
possible for this country to permit the
strategic abuse of the plan by any
foreign military power. 1t is for this
reason that certain limitations have
been imposed upon her financial pol
icy and that naval stations have been
conceded by her to the United States.
The negotiations 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 pro-
lection of Cuba from the assaults of
foreign foes, and for the better safe
guarding of American interests in the
waters south of us.
These interests have been largely
Increased by the consequences of the
war with Spain and will be still fur
ther increased by the building of the
isthman canal. They are both mil
itary and economic. The granting to
us by Cuba of the naval stations
above alluded to is of the utmost i'm
portance from a military standpoint
and is proof of the good faith with
which Cuba Is treating us. Cuba has
made great progress since her inde-
pendence was established. She has
Advanced Steadily in Every Way.
She already stands high among her
sister republics of the new world.
She is Loyalty observing her obliga-
tions to us and she is entitled to like
treatment by us.
The treaty submitted to you for ap-
proval secures to the United States
economic advantages as great as these
given to Cuba. Not an American in
terest is sacrificed. BY the treaty a
large Cuban market is secured TO our
producers. 1t is market which lies
at our doors, which Is already large.
which is capable Of great expansion
and which is especially important to
the development of our export trade.
1t would be. indeed, shortsighted for
us to refuse to take advantage OF such
opportunity and TO force Cuba into
making arrangements with other coun-
tries to our disadvantage.
The reciprocity treaty stands by It.
self 1t Is demanded on consideration