Morgan County democrat. (Versailles, Mo.) 1900-1906, 1903-11-20
MESSAGE Of THE PRESIDENT
President Roosevelt's Communica.
ton to Congress.
Is IL ID voted Exclusively tn the 1seciproosts
Treaty with Cuba For which
the Session WA Called.


the 9Th instant:
The Senate and House OF Represent
atives: | have convened the congress
that 1t may consider the legislation
necessary to put into operation the
commercial treaty with Cuba, which
was ratified by the senate at its last
session and subsequently by the Gu
ban government. | deem such legisla-
ion demanded not only by our inter-
est but by our honor. We a not
with propriety abandon the course up
on which we have so wisely embarked.
When the acceptance Of the Plat
amendment was required from Cuba
BY the action of the congress of the
United States, this government def
nitcly committed itself to the policy
of treating Cuba as occupying d
unique position as regards this coun-
try. 1t was provided that when the H.
land became a free and independent
republic she could stand in such close
relations with US as in certain respects
TO come within our system of inter-
national policy; and it necessarily fol-
lowed that she must also, to a certain
degree become included within the
lines Of cur economic policy. Situated
rs Cuba is, it would not be possible
for this country to permit the strategic
abuse of the plan by any foreign mill
tary power.
II ig fnI fhig rnacnp that Tartp.p Iirn.
itatiOns have been imposed upon her
financial policy and that navel sta
tons have been conceded by her to
the United States. The negotiations rs
to the details of these naval stations
are on the eve of completion. They are
so situated as to prevent any idCa that
there is the intention ever to u1c them
against Cuba, or otherwise than for
the protection Of Cuba from the as
saults Of foreign foes and for he bet
terment of America in the waters south
Of rs.
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 mill
tary 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 ia
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 he. sister republics
of the New World. Shs is Loyalty OBJ
serving her obligations TO US; and she
is entitled to ike treatment by rs.
The treaty submitted 10 you for an
proval secures 10 the United States eco
nome advantages a great "a those CIV
ehtoCnba. Not an American interest Is
bacrihced by the treaty; a large Cubac
market is secured 10 our producers J,
Is a market which lies a. our door,
which is already large, which IA cana
bic OF great expansion, and which is
especially important to TIA t~eyeloD-
ment OF our export trade. u would be
indeed shortsightcd for us To refuse tG
take advantage Of such opportunity,
and to force Cuba into making ar
rangcments with other countries to our
disad vantage.
This reciprocity treaty stands bv il.
self. 1t is demanded on considerations
OF broad national policy rs well as by
our economic interest. It will do harm
10 no Industry. II will benefit many
industries. 1t IS in tho interest of our
people as n whole, both because of its
Importance from the board standpoint,
OF International policy, ard because
economically 1t intimately concerns us
to develop and secure the rich Cuban
market for our farmers, Artisans, mcr-
chants and manufacturers. Finally. II
Is desirable as a guaranty Of the good
Ialth Oh our nation towards her Young
sister republic to the south, whose
welfare 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
or our administrators who saved her
IN peace, and who started her so we'll
on the difficult path Of self-goyayhment.
We must help her onward ard upward:
and in helping her we shall help our
selves.
The foregoing considerations caused
the negotiation OF the treaty with Cuba
and us ratification by the seua.e. They
o with equal force supper; the leg
islation by the congress which, by tho
terms OF the treaty. Is necessary to rem.
del 1t operative, A failure TO enact
such legislation would come p~erious!y
near a reputation Of the pledged fai,h
o. the nation.
] transmit herewith the treaty a,