The Montgomery advertiser., 1903-11-11

possible for this country to permit the strategic abuse of the plan by any for eign military. It 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 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 i'm creased by the consequences of war with | Spain, and will be still further increased ] 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 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 re- publics of the world. She is Loyalty ob- serving her obligations to us and she is entitled 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 a large Cuban market is secured to our production. It is a market which lies at our doors. which is already large, which is capable of great expansion and fc asnantal1y i'm rortant fo the de- velopment of our export trade. It would be indeed short-sighted for us to take ad- vantage of such an opportunity and to force Cuba into making arrangements with other countries to our disadvantage.
 This reciprocity treaty stands by itself. It is demanded on consideration of broad national policy as well as by our economic interest It will do harm to no in- dustry; 1t will benefit many industries. It Is in the interest of our people as a whole, both because of its importance from the broad standpoint of international policy and because economically 1t inti- mately 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 good faith of our nation toward her 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 admintstra- tors who saved her in peace and who started her so well on the difficult 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 its ratification by the Senate. They now with equal force support the legisla- tion by the Congress which. by the terms of the treaty, Is necessary to render 1t effective. A failure to enact such legls- lation would come perilously near re- pudiation of the pledged faith of the nation.
 'T transmit herewith the treaty as amended by the Senate and ratified by the Cuban Government.
 (Signed) Theodore Roosevelt
 White House, November 10. 19G3."