Shoshone journal. [volume] (Shoshone, Idaho) 1884-1931, 1903-11-13
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE
CHIEF EXECUTIVES REASON FOR
CALLING SPECIAL SESSION.
Declares Legislation TO Carry Out
Terms Of Commercial Treaty With
Cuba IL Demanded by Our inter-
est a. Well a. by Our Honor.

sented to the senate and house OF reF
resentative on Tuesday. Is as follows
To the Senate and House OF Represen
tatiyes;
have convened the congress tina
II may consider the legislation neces
sary 70 put into operation the CONNER
/ cial treaty with Cuba. which was rati
ied by the senate at It's last session
/ and subsequently by the Cuban gov
ernmenf. ! deem such legislation de.
manded not only by our interest but
by our honor. We cannot with pro
priety abandon the course upon which
we have Wisely embarked. When the
acceptance OF the Plat amendment
was required from Cuba by the &C
fion OF the congress OF the United
States. this government thereby def
nitely committed itself to the policy
OF treating Cuba as occupying a unique
position as regards this country. II
was provided that when the island
became a free and Independent re-
public. she should stand In such close
relations with us as In certain re-
spects to come within our system OF
international policy: and 1t necessar-
lily followed that she must also to .
certain degree become included with
In the lines OF our economic policy.
Situated as Cuba is, Ii would not be
wise for this country to permit the
stragetic abuse of the Island by any
foreign military power. II is for this
reason that certain limitations have
been imposed upon her financial pol
Icy. and that naval stations have been
conceded by her to the United States
The negotiations az to the details OF
.hese naval stations are on the eve OF |
They are so situated as
o prevent any idea that there is the
Intention ever to use them against
Cuba or otherwise than for the pro
ection OF Cuba from the assaults of
oreign foes. and for the better safe
OF American interests In the
gaters south OF us.
These interests have been largely
increased by the consequences OF the
lar with Spain. and will be still fur
her Increased by the building of the
'thmian canal. They are both mill
Try and economic. The granting to
3 by Cuba OF the naval stations above
luded to Is OF the utmost Importance
ON military standpoint. and Is
roof OF the good faith with which
uba Is treating us. Cuba has made
eat progress since her independence
as established She has advanced
eadily In every way. She already
ands high among her sister repub-
IS OF the new world. She Is Loyalty 6
serving her obligations to us: and
% Is entitled to like treatment by us
The treaty submitted to you for APP
oval secures to the United States !,
onomic advantages as great as these
ven to Cuba. Not an American in o
rest Is sacrificed by the treaty-a g
go Cuban market Is secured to our ii
Dducers. 1t Is a market which lies n
our doors which Is already large, !
ich is capable OF great expansion. =
d which is especially important to u
, development OF our export trade. c,
would be indeed shortsighted for o.
to refuse to take advantage OF such II
oortunity and TO force Cuba into a;
king arrangements with other coun- &
rs to our disadvantage. ty
This reciprocity treaty stands by al
III. IL Is demanded on considera-
a OF broad national policy as well
by our economic interest. Ii Is In
interest OF our people as a whole,
h because OF Its Importance from IN
broad standpoint Of international m
cy and because economically It in GU
ately concerns us to develop and @,
ure the rich Cuban market for our ~
ners, artisans. merchants and man Ar
eturers. Finally. 1t is desirable as Nj
OF the good faith OF our sic
on toward our young sister repub- tn
whose welfare must ever be close do
bound with ours. We gave her We
rty. We are knit to her by the fe,
nories OF the blood and the cour. alb
OF our soldiers who fought for her fro
var; by the memories of the wis an
and integrity OF our administra nel
who saved her In peace and who
ted her so well on the difficult
OF selfgovernment. We must
her onward and upward; and in
ing hcr we shall help ourselves. ru
10 foregoing considerations caused ces
negotiation of the treaty with KIN
/ and its ratification by the SEN ~,
They now with equal force sup
the legislation by the congress sio'
h by the terms of the treaty is gen
ssary to render II operative. as ing
re to enact such legislation would trol
, perilously near reputation of Am
pledged faith OF the nation. rec,
herewith the treaty as omI
ided by the senate and ratified forr
10 Cuban government. exp
THEODORE ROOSEVELT. thai
,ite House. Nov. 10. 1908. dow