Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1903-11-16

Washington. Nov. 1.-THE message
of .ue president to the extraordinary
session OF congress was read yester-
Jay. Il have convened the congress. 20
saws the president, that il may con-
slider the legislation necessary to put
into operation the commercial treaty
with cuba. which was ratified by the
senate al its last session and sub
seuueuJy by the Cuban government.
/ deem such legislation demanded not
only by our interest but by our honor.
We cannot with prOprieJy abandon the
course upon which we have so wisely
embarked. When the acceptance OF
the Plat amendment was required
from Cuba by the action OF congress
of the United States this government
thereby definitely committed itself 10
the policy OF treating Cuba as occupy
ing a unique position as regards this
country. II was provided that when
the island became q Tree and independ-
snt republic she should stand in such
close relations with US as IN certain
respects TO come within our system Of
international policy and Il necessarily
followed that she must also 70 GER
tain degree become included within
the lines Of our economic policy.
Situated as Cuba is it would not be
possible for this country TO permit the
strategic abuse OF the plan by any
foTaign military power. Il is for this
reason that certain limitations have
been imposed upon her financial policy
and that naval stations have been con
coded by her 10 the United States.
The negotiations as 20 the details OF
these naval stations are on the eve OF
completion. They are so situated as
10 prevent any idea that there is the
intention ever to use them against
Cuba. or otherwise than for the pro-
lection OF Cuba from the assaults OF
foreign ices. ana for the better safe
guarding. OF American interests in the
waters south GA Us.
These interests have been largely
increased by tAe consequences OF the
war with Spain, and will be still
further increased by the building of
the isthmus canal. They are 10th
military and econmCic. The granting
90 us by Cuba Of the naval stations
above alluded TO is oil the utmost i'm
purrauCe IRON a military standpoint
and Is proof OF the good faith with
which Cuba is treating Us. Cuba has
made great progress since her in
dependence was established. She has
advanced steadily in every way. She
already stands high among her sister
republics OF the new world. She IS
Loyalty observing her obligations 10
US. and she Is entitled 70 like treat
E.aat by Us.
The treaty submitted TO you for ap-
prevail secures TO the United States
economic advantages as great as these
given TO Cuba. Not an American in
tcrest is sacrificed. BY the treaty a
large Cuban market is secured to our
producers. II is a market which lies
az Cur doors. which is already large,
which is capable OF great expansion,
and which is especially important to
the development of cur export trade.
Do would be indeed shOrt-sighted for
us to refuse To take advantage Of such
opportunity and 20 force Cuba into
making arrangements with other
countries 10 our disadvantage.
This reciprocity treaty stands by
itself. IL is demanded on consider
alton OF bread national policy as well
as by cur economic interest Il viii
do harm To nc industry. II viii benefit
many industries. II is in the interest
OF our people as a whole, both because
Of its importance from the bread
standpoint OF international policy and
because economically IL intimately
concerns US to develop and secure the
rich Cuban market for our farmers
artisans. merchants and nanufac
turers. Finally, il is desirable as a
guaranty OF the good faith of our ma
ton towards her young sister republic
20 the south. whose welfare must
ever be closely bound with ours, We
gave her liberty. We are knit 10 her
by the memories OF the food and the
courage OF our soldiers who fought fOI
her in war; by the memories Of the
wisdom and integrity OF our admin
istratOrs who saved her in peace and
who started her so well on the diff
ficult path OF self-gOyernment We
must help her onward and upward
and in helping her We shall help our
selves.
The foregoing considerations
caused the negotiation of the treaty
with Cuba and its ratification by the
senate. They now with equal force
support the legislation by the congress
which by the terms OF the treaty il
necessary IN render IL operative. A
failure to enact such legislation would