Daily new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1897-1906, 1903-11-10
Extraordinary Session of Con-
gress Called to Consider
Special Legislation.
CUBA'S PROOF OF GOOD FAITH
Commercial Treaty Must Be Made op.
erative-Naval Stations Of Utmost
J Importance from Military Stand
point-Great Market Secured.

Washington, Nov. 10-Following is
the message of President Roosevelt ID
the extraordinary session of the Fifty
eighth congress:
To the senaee and House of Representatives:
have convened the congress that
it may consider the legislation neces-
sary to put into operation the com
merciai treaty with Cuba, which was
ratified by the senate at its last ses-
sion, and subsequently 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 PlaIt
amendment was required from CUBA
by the action of the congress or the
United States, this government there
by definitely committed itself to the
policy of treating Cuba as occupying
a unique position as regards this coun-
try. It was provided 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 inter-
national policy; and it necessarily fol-
lowed that she must also to certain
degree become included within the
lines of our economic policy. Situat-
ed as Cuba is it would not be possible
for this country to permit the strategic
abuse of the island by any foreign
military power 1t is for this reason
that certain limitations have been i'm
posed upon her financial policy and
that naval stations have been conee1-
ed by her to the United States. The
negotiations as to the details of these
naval stations are on the eve OF COM
pletion. They are SO situated as 70
prevent any idea that there is the in
tention ever to use them against Cuba.
or otherwise than foy the protection
of Cuba from the assaults of foreign
foes and for the better safeguarding
of American interests in the waters
south of us.
These interests have been largely
Increased by the consequence of the
war with Spain and will be stiN fur
ther increased by the building of the
isthmian canal. They are both MILL
tary and economic. The granting to
us by Cuba of the naval stations above
alluded to is Of the utmost Importance
from military standpoint and is proof
of the good faith with which Cuba Is
treating us. Cuba has made great
progress since her independence was
established She has advanced stead
lily in every way. She already stands
high among her sister republics of the
new world. She is Loyalty observing
her obligations to us, and she is en-
titled to like treatment by us.
The treaty submitted to you for ap-
proval secures to the United States
economic advantages as great as those
given to Cuba Not an American in
terest is sacrificed. BY the treaty 4
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 70
the development Of our export trade.
1t would be indeed shortsighted for us
to refuse to take advantage of such
an opportunity, and to force Cuba into
making arrangements with other coun-
tries to our disadvantage.
This reciprocity treaty stands by
itself 1t is demanded on considera-
tions Of broad national policy as we'll
as by our economic interest 1t will
do harm to no industry. 1t will bene-
fit many industries II Is in the IN
terest of our people as whole, both
because of it's Importance from the
broad standpoint Of international pol
icy, and because ecoSomically it In
timately concerns us to develop anil
secure the rich Cuban market for our
farmers. artisans, merchants and man.
ufacturers
Guaranty of Our Good Faith.
Finally, it is desirable as guaranty
of the good faith of our nation towards
her young sister republic to the south,
whose welfare must ever be closely
bound with ours. We gave her lib
erty. We are knit to her by the men,
cries 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 ard VINO
started her so well on the difficult
path of self-government We must
help her onward and upward; and in
helping her we must help ourselves.
The foregoing considerations caused
the negotiations of the treaty with
Cuba and its ratification by the SEN
ate They now with equal force sup
port the legislation by the congress
which by the terms of the treaty Is
necessary to render It operative. 4
failure to enact such legislation would
come perllously near reputation Of
the pledged faith OF the nation.
I transmit herewith the treaty az
amended by tho senate and ratified by
the Cuban government.
THEODORE ROOSEVELT.