Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1903-11-13
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE
ON
CUBAN RECIPROCITY,

Following is the message of President
Roosevelt dealing with the Cuban reci-
procity treaty. 1t was read Tuesday to
both houses of the Fifty-eighth Congress
in extraordinary session:
| To the Senate and House of Representa-
tives:
l have convened the Congress that it
may consider the legislation necessary to
put into operation the commercial treaty
| with Cuba, which was ratified by the
Senate at it's last session and subse-
| Quently by the Cuban government. I
deem such legislation demanded not only
by our interests but by our honor. We
| cannot with p&opriety abandon the
| course upon which we have so 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 committed itself to the policy
OF treating Cuba as occupying a unique
position as regards this country. 1t 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 international policy; and it
necessarily followed that she must also
to certain degree become included with
in the lines of our economic policy. Sit
uated as Cuba is it would not be posi-
BILE for this country to permit the strate-
gle abuse of the plan by any foreign
military power. 1t is for this reason that
certain limitations have been imposed
upon her financial policy 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 protec-
ton Of Cuba from the assaults Of foreign
foes, and for the better safeguarding Of
American interests in the waters south
OF us.
Must Be Loyal to Cuba.
These interests have been largely in
creased by the consequences Of the war
with Spain, and will be still further in
creased by the building of the isthmian
canal. They are both military and econ
onlic. 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 inde-
pendence was established. She has adj
vanced steadily in every way. She al
ready stands high among her sister re-
publics of the New World. She is 10y
ally observing her obligations to us; and
she is entitled to like treatment by us.
The treaty submitted to you for APP
prevail secures to the United States econ
omic advantages as great as those given
to Cuba. Not an American interest is
sacrificed. BY the treaty large Cuban
market is secured to our producers. 1t Is
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 ex-
port trade. 1t would be indeed short
sighted for us to refuse to take advan-
tage of such opportunity and to force
Cuba into making arrangements with
other countries to our disadvantage.
Says Treaty Is Demanded.
This reciprocity treaty stands by itself.
It is demanded on consideration Of broad
national policy as we'll as by our econom-
ic interest. 1t will do harm to no indus
try. 1t will benefit many industries. 1t
is in the interest of our people as
whole, both because of its Importance
from the broad standpoint of interna-
tional policy and because economically
it intimately concerns us to develop and
secure the rich Cuban market for our
farmers, artisans, merchants and manu-
facturers. Finally it is desirable as
guaranty of the good faith Of our nation
towards her young sister republic to the
bound with ours. 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 saved her in peace
and who started her SO we'll on the diff
cult path of government We must
help her onward and upward; and i'll
helping her we shall help ourselves
The foregoing considerations caused
the negotiation of the treaty with Cuba
and its ratification by the Senate. They
now with equal force support the legis-
lation by the Congress which by the
terms of the treaty is necessary to rem
der it operative. A failure to enact such
legislation would come perilously near
reputation OF the pledged faith of the
nation.
| transmit herewith the treaty, as
amended by the Senate and ratified by
the Cuban government.
THEODORE ROOSEVELT.