Virginia gazette. [volume] (Williamsburg, Va.) 1893-192?, 1903-11-14
THE PRESIDENTS
SPECIAL MESSAGE
Mr.. ROOSeyeIt's Recommendations 70
the Extra Session
TREATY RELATIONS Win CUBA
Both Interest and Honor Demand OF
Our Government Prompt Action
A Brief But Vigorous Paper.

vened at noon Tuesday and the mem !
hers Of both houses listened 20 the /
reading OF the Presidents message the |
FUN text OF which follows.
THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
To the Senate and House Of Repre- |
sentatiyes.
Il have convened the Congress that
il may consider the legislation neccs-
sary 20 put into operation the CONNER
cial treaty with Cuba. which was rati-
fed 10y the Senate at it's last session.
and subsequently by the Cuban govern
mcnt- I deem such legislation demand
cd. not only by our interest. hut 10y our
honor. We cannot with prouriety
abandon tho course upon which We
have So wisely embarked When the
acceptance 90 the Platt amendment
was required from Cuba 10y the action
4 the Congress OF the United States.
this government thereby definitely
committed itself 90 the policy OF treat
ing Cuba as occupying a unique position
as regards this country. IL was pro-
vided that when the island became n
free and independent republic. II
should stand In such close relations
with us as in certain respects 20 come
within our system Of internal policy.
and IL necessarily followed that she
must also 10 certain degree become
included within the lines OF our econo-
mic policy. Situated as Cuba is. IL
would not be possible for this country
/ 90 permi; the strategic abuse OF the
/ island by any foreign military power
slt is for that reason that certain
/ limitations have been imposed upon
! her financial policy and that naval sta
/ tons have been conceded by her TO the
trff e.,
| the details of these naval stations are
! en- the eve OF completion. They are
I SO situated as 90 prevent any idea that
/ there rs the intention ever 10 use them
/ against Cuba. or otherwise than for
/ the protection OF Cuba form the as
saults 81 foreign foes. and or the bet
/ ter safeguarding OF American interests
ia the waters south OF us.
These interests have been largely
! increased 10y the consequences Of the
/ war with Spain and VIII be still furth-
or increased by the building OF the
/ isthmian canal. They are both mill
/ tary and economic. The granting 90 us
/ hv Cuba OF the naval stations above
alluded 10 is 81 tho utmost Importance
/ from q military standpoint. and is
proof OF the good faith with which
/ Cuba is treating u.s. Cuba has made
I great progress since her independence
was established. She has advanced
steadily in every way She already
stands high among her sister republics
% the New World. She is Loyalty OBJ
serving her obligations go us. and she
is entitled 90 ike treatment by u.s.
I NOT Az AMERICAN INTEREST
SACRIFICED.
.Tle treaty submitted O. you for APP
prevail secures 90 the United States
/ monte advantages as great as those
given Cuba Not an American interest
is sacrificed by the treaty, large
I Cuban market ia secured 20 our D.0-
ducers. 10 is q market which lies az
our doors. which Rs already large
which IS capable % great expansion
and which IS especially important ga
the development OF our export trade
10 would Doe indeed shortest GIFTED foI
us % refuse no take advantage OF such
an opportunity and 20 force Cuba int
making arrangements with other coun
tries 20 our disadvantage. This re-
ciprocity greatly stands by itself. II
is demanded on considerations o
broad national policy as well as by
our economic interest. Il viii do harm
TO no industry IL IS In the interest O
our people as a whole both because o
/ its importance from the broad stand
| point OF international policy and be
cause economically IL intimately con
Germs US to develop and secure the ricl
! Cuban market for our farmers. ar
/ tisans merchants and manufacturers
a GUARANTY or GOOD FAITH.
Finally. il is desirable az a guarant
OF the good faith % our nation toward
her young sister republic 10 the South
whose welfare must ever be closel
bound with ours. We gave her liberty
We are knit 10 her by the members @
the blood and the courage OF our sol
, ! dlers who fought for her in war, b
! the memories OF the wisdom and in
4 tegrity OF our administrators who serN
cd her in peace anc who started ne
I so we'll on the difficult path OF sell
, government. We must help her onwar
"a and upward. and in helping her "
shall help ourselves.
7 PLEDGE OF THT ~ ALTON MUST b
r. KEPT
$ THE fOregOine clAslderatlon cause
the negotiation o. the treaty with Cut
Z and its ratification by the Senate. The
s now. with equal force. support the lei
c islation, by the Congress which by Il
terms Of the treaty Is necessary 20 rel
y der Il operative. a failure 10 ena
g such legislation would become peri
j. ously near "A Reputation OF the pledge
n faith OF the nation.
q transmit herewith the treaty
4 amended by the Senate and ratified
q the Cuban government
< THEODORE ROOSEVELT.
$ white House. Nov. 10. 1903