River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1903-11-19

ments VIII He tn Our advantage
Also-The whole People of the
United States VIII he Benefited.
Sees Danger In Failure.
Washington, Nov, 10.-The following
is President Roosevelt's message to tho
extraordinary session of congress:
To the Senate and House of Represent
atives: l have convened the congress
that it may consider the legislation neCr
essary to put into operation the COM
mercial treaty with Cuba, which was
ratified by the senate at its last session
and subsequently by the Cuban govern
ment. deem such legislation demand
ed, not only by our interest; but by our
honor. We cannot with propriety aban-
don the course upon which we have SO
wisely embarked. When the accept
ance of the Plat amendmsnt was re-
quired from Cuba by the action of con-
gress of the United States this govern
ment thereby definitely committed
itself to the policy of treating Cuba as
occupying a unique position as regards
this country. twas provided that when
the island became free and independ-
ent republic she should stand in such
close relations with us as in certain re-
spects to come within our system of
international policy; and it necessarily
followed that she must also to 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 plan by any foreign military power.
1t is for this reason that certain lin
itations 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 de-
tails of these naval stations are on the
eve of completion. They are SO sit
uated 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 for
eign foes, and for the better safeguard
ing of American interests in the waters
south of us.
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
economic. The granting to us by Cuba
of the naval stations above alluded to
is of the utmost Importance from q mil
itary 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 sis
ter republics 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 ap-
prevail secures to the United States
economic advantages as great as these
given to Cuba. Not an American IN
terest is sacrificed. BY the treaty large
Cuban market is secured to our pro-
ducers. 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 develop
ment of our export trade. 1t would be
indeed short-sighted for us to refuse to
take advantage of such opportunity and
tn force Cuba into making arrangements
with other countries to our disadvan-
tage.
This reciprocity treaty stands by
itself. 1t is demanded on consideration
of broad national policy as well as by
our economic interest. 1t will do harm
to no industry. 1t will benefit many
industries. 1t is in the interest OF our
people as a whole, both because OF its
Importance from the broad STANDPOINT
of international policy and Lecause
economically it intimately concerns us
to develop and secure the rich Cuban
market for our farmers, artisans, mer-
chants and manufacturers. Finally, 1t
is desirable as a guaranty of the good
faith of our nation towards her young
sister republic to the south, whose well
fare must ever be closely 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 memories
of the wisdom and integrity of our adj
ministrators who saved her in peace
and who started her SO well on the diff
ficult path Of self-government. We
must help her onward and upward; and
in helping her we shall help ourselves.
The foregoing considerations caused
the negotiation Of the treaty with Cuba
and it's 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
a reputation of the pledged faith of the
nation. THEODORE ROOSEVELT.