Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1903-11-14
HIS PLEA FOR CUBA.
President Urges Congress to Ratify
Treaty with Young Republic.
"A Broad National Policy as Wcll rs Eco
pomic Interests Demand Favorable Ac-
ton by This Government, Declares
Mr.. Roosevelt.

washington, Nov. 10.-The follow.
ing message was sent to congress to-
day by the president, telling the rea-
son why it was called in extraordinary
session:
To the Senate and House Of Representa-
tives:
/ have convened congress that It may
consider the legislation necessary to put
Unto operation the commercial treaty with
Cuba, which was ratified by the senate
sat its last session and subsequently by
the Cuban government. deem such
Legislation demanded not only by our In
,terest, but by our honor. We cannot with
spropriety abandon the course upon which
we have 80 wisely embarked. When the
acceptance Of the Plat amendment was
required from Cuba by the action Of tho
congress of the United States this govern
ment thereby definitely committed itself
TO the policy OF treating Cuba as occupy
ting q unique position as regards this
country. 1t was provided that when the
island became q free and independent re-
public she should stand In such close re-
lations with US as in certain respects To
come within our system OF international
policy; and II necessarily followed that
she must also to a certain degree be-
come included within the lines OF our
economic policy. Situated as Cuba Is 1t
would not be possible for this country to
permit the strategic abuse of the plan by
any foreign military power. 1t is for this
reason that certain limitations have been
imposed upon her financial policy and
that naval stations have been conceded
ny her to the United States. The ne
-gotiations as to the details OF these
naval stations are on the eve OF
completion. They are SO situated as
ITO prevent any idea that there Is the
intention ever TO use them against Cuba
,or 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 In
creased by the building of the isthmian
scanal. They are both military ana eco.
nomic. The granting to us by Cuba OF
the naval stations above alluded to Is
~of the most Importance from military
standpoint and is proof Of the good faith
with which Cuba is treating us. Cuba
mas made great progress since her inde-
.spendcnce was established. She has adj
vanced steadily in every way. She al
ready stands high among her sister re-
publics of the new world. She Is Loyalty
observing her obligations to US; and she
Us entitled to like treatment by us.
The treaty submitted to you for ap-
proval secures to. the United States
economic advantages as great as those
given to Cuba. Not an American inter-
est is sacrificed by the treaty. A large
Cuban market is secured to our pro-
-ducers. It is q market which lies at our
doors, which is already large. which is
capable of great expansion and which Is
especially important to the development
of our export trade. 1t would be indeed
.shortsighted for US to refuse to take adj
vantage of such opportunity and to force
Cuba into making arrangements with
other countries to our disadvantage.
This reciprocity treaty stands by it
self 1t is demanded on consideration of
broad national policy as well as by our
economic interest. 1t will do harm to no
industry. It will benefit many industries.
1t is in the interest of our people as a
whole, both because of its Importance
from the broad standpoint Of interna-
tfonal policy and because economically
it intimately concerns us to develop and
secure the rich Cuban market for our
farmers, artisans, merchants and manu-
facturers. Finally, 1t is desirable as
guaranty of the good faith of our nation
towards her young sister republic to the
south, whose welfare must ever be close
-erty. We are knit to her by the memo
ries of the blood and the courage OF our
soldiers who fought for her in war; by
the memories OF the wisdom and integrity
of our administrators who saved her in
peace and who started her so well on the
difficult path of self-government. We
must help her onward and upward. and
IN helping her we shall help ourselves.
The foregoing considerations caused the
negotiation of the treaty with Cuba and
ats ratification by the senate. They now
with equal force support the legislation
ny the congress which by the terms of
the treaty is necessary to render It opera
tive. A failure to enact such legislation
would come perilously near reputation
sof the pledged faith Of the nation.
transmit herewith the treaty as
=amended by the senate and ratified by the
sCuban government.
THEODORE ROOSEVELT.
White House, Nov. TO- 1903