Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1903-11-19
MUST RATifY,
CUBAN TREATY
President Roosevelt's Message
to Congress- Is Couched in
the Strongest Terms.
NATIONS HONORAT STAKE
Chief Executive Declares tho
United States Has Committed
Itself to tho Policy He Outlines
Advantages of the Treaty Made
Plain.

Washington, Nov. 10.-President
Roosevelt's message, explaining the
object of the special session of Con-
gress, read to the Senate and
House of Representatives this after
noon, is as follows:
20 the Senate and House of Repre-
sentatives:
have convened the Congress that
1t may consider the legislation neces-
sary to put into operation the COM
mercial 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 Plat
amendment was required from Cuba
by the action Of the Congress of the
United States, this government there
by definitely committed itself to the
policy of treating Cuba as occupying
unique position as regards this
country. 1t was provided that when
the island became free and indie
pendent republic. she should stand in
such close relations with us as In GER
tain respects to come within our sys-
tenn of international policy, and It
necessarily followed that she must
also to certain degree become In
cluded within the lines of our eco
nomic policy. Situated as Cuba is, it
would not be possible for this country,
to permit the strategic abuse OF the
island by any foreign military power.
II Is for this reason that certain lini.
tations have been impressed upon her
financial policy and that naval sta
tons have been conceded by her TO
the United States. The negotiations
as to the details of these naval sta
tons 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 other
wise than for the protection of Cuba
from the assaults of foreign foes and
for the better safeguarding of Ameri.
can interests in the waters south of
us.
Advantages Of the Treaty.
These interests have been largely
increased by the consequences of the
war with Spain and will be further in.
creased by the building of the 18th,
milan canal. They are both military
and economic. The granting to us by
Cuba of the naval stations above al
luded 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 Independence
was established. She has advanced
steadily in every way. She already
stands high among her sister repub-
lies of the new world. She Is Loyalty
observing her obligations to us; and
she is entitled to like treatment by
US. The treaty submitted to you for
approval secures to the United States
advantages as great as those
given to Cuba. Not an American in
terest is sacrificed. BY the treaty
large Cuban market Is secured to our
producers-a 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 short sighted for US
to refuse to take advantage of such
an opportunity and to force Cuba into
making arrangements with other
countries to our disadvantage.
In the interests Of All.
This reciprocity treaty stands by
itself. 1t is demanded on considera-
tons Of broad national policy as well
as by our economic interests. It will
do harm to no industry. It will bene-
At many Industries. 1t is in the in.
terest of our people as a whole. both
because Of its importance from the
broad standpoint of international
policy and because economically 1t in
timately concerns us to develop and
secure the rich Cuban market for our
farmers. artisans, merchants and
manufacturers. Finally. 1t is desirable
as a guaranty of the good faith of our
nation toward her young sister re-
public to the south. whose welfare
must evei be closely bound with ours.
Our Duty to the island.
We gave her liberty. We are knit
to her by the memories of the blood
and the courage Of our soldiers who
fought for her In war; by the mem
cries of the wisdom and integrity of
our administrators who served her
In peace and who started her so well
on the difficult path of self-govern.
ment. We must help her onward and
upward: and helping her. we shall
help ourselves.
The foregoing considerations caused
the negotiation 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 1t operative. A
failure to enact such legislation would
come perilously near Reputation OF
the pledged faith Of the nation.
l transmit herewith the treaty, al
amended by the senate and ratified
by the Cuban government.
THEODORE ROOSEVELT.
White House. Nov. 10. 1908.