Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1903-11-12
|IHE CUBAN TREATY.
me President Sends a Message to
Congress on tho Subject.
LEGISLATION 10 MAKE IT OPERATIVE
"a FArprs 10 Enact which. ti,e President
kASs, would Come Psrilously Near ne
pudintion Of the Pledged Faithof
the Nation.


Washington, Nov. 1O.-The follow
1nK message was sent 10 congress to-
day BY the president, telling the rea-
son why 1t was called in extraordinary
session:
- the Senate and House Of Representa-
lives;
+ "A have convened congress that II may
conaider the legislation necessary to put
Into operation the commercial treaty with
Cuba, which was ratified by the senate
q its last session and subsequently by
The Cuban government. deem such
Negotiation demanded not only by our IN
fcrcst, but BY our honor. We cannot with
rropriety abandon the course upon which
W. have 60 wisely embarked. When the
acceptance of the Plat amendment was
required from Cuba by the action Of the
congress Of the United States this govern
uient thereby definitely committed Itself
n 70 the policy OF treating Cuba 40 occupy
1nk q unique position as regards this
country. It was provided that when the
Island became free and Independent re-
public she should stand In such close re-
1ations with us a. In certain respects 70
come within our system OF international
policy; ana II necessarily followed that
1he must also to a certain degree be-
come Included within the lines Of our
economic policy. Situated az Cuba is It
would not be possible for this country to
permit the strategic abuse OF the plan py
any foreign military power. II 10 for this
reason that certain limitations have been
.fInposed upon her financial policy ana
that naval stations have been conceded
by her to the United States The ne
ROTATIONS az to the details Of these
naval stations are on the eve OF |
completion. They are 70 situated as
u prevent any idea that there ID the
Intention ever to use them against Cuba
o. otherwise than for the protection OF
Cuba from the assaults Of foreign foes
and for the better safeguarding OF Amer
lean 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 Inc
creased by the building Of the isthmian
canal. They are both military ana eco
nomic. The granting to us by Cuba OF
The naval stations above alluded to 10
0f the most Importance from O military
Standpoint and Ii proof Of the good faith
with which Cuba 10 treating US. Cuba
has made great progress since her inde-
pondence was established. She has adj
ganced steadily In every way. She al
ready stands high among her sister re-
publics Of the new world She 10 loyalty
observing her Obligations to us; and she
Al entitled to Ike treatment by US.
The treaty submitted to you for APP
frOyal secures to the United States
economic advantages as great as those
given to Cuba Not an American Inter-
ast 10 sacrificed by the treaty. large
Cuban market IL secured to our pro-
fucerS. 1t is a market which lies at our
doors, which 10 already large, which 10
capable Of great expansion and which 10
especially important to the development
pf our export trade. II would be indeed
for US to refuse to take adj
vantage Of such opportunity and to force !
Cuba into making arrangements with
ether countries to our disadvantage.
This reciprocity treaty stands by it.
self. II IL demanded on consideration OF
broad national policy as well as by our
economic interest. II will do harm to no
II will benefit many industries.
Il Is In the interest Of our people as q
Hhole, both because Of its Importance
nom the broad standpoint Of interna-
|3onai policy and because economically
Il Intimately concepts us to develop and
secure the rich Cuban market for our
Farmers, artisans, merchants and manu-
[UItUFcFb. Elnhiiy, II 10 ue1iEdpic 10 | !
guaranty Of the good faith Of our nation
towards her young sister republic to the
south, whose welfare must ever be close. |
" bound with ours. We gave her lib ,
arty. We are knit to her by the memo
Her OF the blood and the courage Of our
soldiers who fought for her In war; by
The memories OF the wisdom and integrity
nf our administrators who saved her In
peace and who started her so well on the T
hiiIicult path of self-government. We
must help her onward and upward, and '
b helping her we shall help ourselves.
The foregoing considerations caused the q
negotiation Of the treaty with Cuba and 4
|ia ratification by the senate. They now
With equal force support the legislation
NJ the congress which by the terms Of Il
NE treaty Is necessary to render It opera v
live. A failure to enact such legislation h
would come perilously near a Reputation :
~ the pledged faith Of the nation u
transmit herewith the treaty as n
amended by the senate and ratified by the v
Cuban government. -
THEODORE ROOSEVELT. y
white House. Nov 10. 1908. )