The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1903-11-10
PRESIDENTS
MESSAGE
Reciprocity With Cuba
a National Duty.
WOULD BENEFIT BOTH NATIONS
conoress Urged to Enact Legislation
to Carry Out Pledges of
United States.

To the Senate and House of Repre-
sentatives:
convey to congress that it may
consider the legislation necessary to
nut il into operation the commercial
treaty with Cuba which was ratified
nv rhe senate at the late session and
.rhsaouentIv by the Cuban govern
me0t. | deem such legislation demand
"a not only by our interest but by our
honor We cannot with propriety
abandon the course upon which we
have 50 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 definitely commit
ted itself to the policy of treating
Cuba as occupying a unique position
as regards this country, it was pro-
vided that when that island became
free and independent republic it
should stand in such close relation
with us as in certain respects to come
within our system Of international pol
icy and it necessarily followed that
she must also to. q certain degreslhe- :
come included within the lines of our
economic policy. Situated as Cuba is
it would not be possible for this
country TO permit strategic abuse of
the islands by any foreign military
power.
1t is for this reason that certain
limitations have been impressed upon
her financial policy and naval stations
have been conceded by her to the
United States. Negotiations as to
the details of these naval stations are
on the eve Of completion. They are
50 situated as to prevent any idea
that there IS any intention ever to use
them against Cuba, or otherwise than
lot the protection of Cuba from the
assaults Of foreign foes and the bet
Ter safeguarding of Amrican interests
j" the south seas. These interests
nave been largely increased by the
consequences Of the war with Spain,
ana VIII be further increased by the
0u"ulng Of the isthmian canal. They
"'V poth military and economic. The
s'dN'hg Of the use by Cuba of the
naval stations alluded to is Of the ut
must importance from a military
''''upolnt Cuba already stands high
'''ohg he" sister republics in the new
yp 10
'''Sa'on to US and is entitled to like
treatment by US.
'.7 treaty submitted to you for ap-
"''al secures to the United States
ylo''ic advantages as great as those
e" cuba. No American interest is
Ci'nced BY the treaty large
0" market is secured for our pro-
The market which lies at our
1'oS is already large and capable of
expansion and especially impor-
* me development Of our export
,ue' 1t would be indeed shortsight-
uS 10 refuse to take advantage
> such an opportunity and force Cuba
co,. making arrangements with other
ra,;. 70 our disadvantage. The
is tp"city treaty stands by itself. 1t
b,o-, s''ahded on consideration of a
e,os e.u national policy as we'll as by our
bsr~ 0''nc interests. 1t will do
n.. '.n TO no industry. 1t will benefit
q ~. Industries. 1t is In the interest
of ;, p7opie as a whole both because
sa,sI e Importance from the broad
be,snl o''i' OF International policy and
<oseas economically it intimately
rcb lIs n US to develop and secure the
s,,t., III cuban market for our farmers,
e,s r, merchants and manufactur-
an,v .1aliy it is desirable as a guar
elossI, good faith to the republic so
9bsr,s 9s bound with ours. We gave her
>saor We are knit to her by the
oqs soIs> 'sS Of the blood and courage of
lac 'o.aisrs pa Who fought for her in the
ssdor and the memories of the
>s,o,s and Integrity of our admins
10 s,. VINO served her in peace and
", Sa.r SaTfed her so we'll on the din
bus, 'h,n S1 Of self-government. Wei
Ia help her o,,,,o,