The Delta independent., 1903-11-13
PRESIDENTS
MESSAGE
Is Short and to the point Dealing
Entirely with Cur Relations
with Cuba.

To the Senate and House Of Represent
atives:
have convened the Congress that it
may consider the legislation necessary
to put into operation the commercial
treaty with Cuba. which was ratified 10y
the senate at its last session and subse-
quently by he Cuban government !
deem such leg station demanded not
only by our interests but by our honor.
We can not vi h propiety abandon
The course upon which We have So wise
II embarked. When the acceptance OF
the Piatt amendment was requi from
Cuba BY the action OF the Congress Of
the United States, this government
thereby definitely committed itself to
The policy of treating Cuba as occupy
ing unique position as regards this
country. Il was provided that when
the island became free and independ
ent 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 included 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 island by any
foreign military power Il is for this
reason that certain limitations have been
imposed upon her financial policy and
that naval stations have been conceded
by her 10 the Uuittd States. The negn-
tiations as to details OF these naval sta
tions 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
Tor the protection OK Cuua from the as.
saults OF foreign foes aud for the better
safeguarding Of American interests in
the waters south OF US.
These interests have been largely in-
creased by the consequences Vt the war
with Spain and will be still further in
creased by the building OF the isthmian
canal. They are both military aud
economic. The granting TO US by Cuba
OF the naval stations above all 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 wav.
She always stands high among her sis
ter republics Of the new world She is
loyalty observing her obligations to US;
aud she is entitled to ike treatment by
Us.
The treaty submitted TO you for ap-
proval secures to the United States eco
nomic advantages as great as these Civ
en- 10 Cuba. Not an American interest
is sacrificed by the treaty, large Cuban
market is secured to our producers. It
is market which lies at our doors.
which is already large. which is capable
{ great expansion aud which is esrec-
i4tly important to the Development Of
our expor; trade It is indeed short
sighted Tor US to refuse TO take adSan-
tage OF such opportunity aud TO force
Cuba into making arrangements with
other countries 10 our disadvantage.
This reciprocity treaty stands by it
self Il is demanded on consideration
OF broad national policy as we'll as by
our economic interest. il will do no
harm 10 our industry. 1t will benefit
many industries Il is in the interest
ct our people as whole both because
OF its importauce from the standpoint
OF international policy and because
nomically it intimately concerns US TO
develop and secure the rich Cuban
market Tor our farmers, artisans. mer-
chants aud manufacturers. Finally it
is desirable as guaranty OF the good
faith OF our nation towards her young
sister republic tothe south whose wei,
fare must ever be closely bound with
ours. We gave her liberty. We are
Knit 10 her by the memories OF the