The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1903-11-13
ROOSEVELT 70 CONGRESS
President Discusses the Cuban Ques.
tion in a Brief Document,

tion IN Brief Document.
Washington, Nov. 12.-Following the
reading of the Journal in the house
point resolution making imme-
diately available the appropriation for
mileage of senators and members was
passed. The presidents message was
then read and received with applause
from the republican side.
RESOLUTIONS of respect to the memory
of Forderer of Pennsylvania and Do
reing of Kentucky were adopted and
the house adjourned.
The presidents message follows.
TO the Senate and House of Represent
atives: I have convened the congress
that it may consider the legislation neces-
treaty with Cuba, which was ratified by
the senate at its last session and subse-
ggaently g by the Cuban government. I
by our interest, but by our honor We
cannot with propriety abandon the course
upon which we have so wisely embarked
w len the acceptance of the Platt amend
nlent was required from Cuba by the ac-
tlon or congress of the United States this
g52ySl government thereby. definitely committed
Itself to the policy of treating Cuba as oc-
cupylng unique position as regards this
country. It was provided that when the
lsland became free and independent re-
public she should stand in such close re-.
lat!ons with us as in certain respects to
come within our system of international
must also to certain degree become In
cluaed within the lines of our economic
Poiicy, 20 Situated as Cuba Is, it would not
the strategic abuse of the plan BY any
foreign military power. It is for this rea-
son @ that certain limitations 4ave been i'm
poseG upon her financial policy and that
haval stations have been conceded by her
to the United States. The negotiations as
on on the @ eve of completion. They are SO
situated as to prevent any idea that there
Is the intention ever to use them against
OF Cuba from the assaults of foreign
foes, and for the better safeguarding Of
american interests III the waters south Of
These interests have been largely in
creased by the consequences of the war
|lsh spal IN an and VII be still further in
canal. @ They are both military and eco
ncmtc I5c The granting to US by Cuba of
the naval stations above alluded to is Of
the most Importance from a militaWrV ~
standpoint, and is proof of the good faith
Win which Cuba is treating us. Cuba has
eiice vas established. She has adyanced
Ste&ol!y IN every way. She already stands
mg9 t3,.1 among her sister republics of the new
hgato1s to US: and she is entitled to like
tre9tment by US.
The treaty submitted to you for anorova1
secures to the United States economic ad-
% Cuba Not an American inter
Ta.-- -; saGl -.-ce2 ny the treaty, a
ptod9cers. II Is a large market which lies
al p1T doors, which! Is large. caUabla of
great expansion and which IS parciclIlar--
ly important 10 the develozrrenT nf C1Ir
eJE19Tt trade. Il would be. Indeed shorr-
s!gAteS4 TOT Us 70 refuse to take advantage
Oh SLC1 opportunity and 10 force Cuba
!nso fsH2S!rs szr4ngernsBts With other
2ts1I. I1':es 70 orr disadvantage.
=. I5ls reciprocity treaty stands by itself
II IS cs-2aIl2Sd OF consideration of broad
j52lz;? 1aI3?tl2l Dol.cy as veil as by our eco
dustry. Il viii benefit 1nanv irtinstries
/ Is in the interest Of cur paorIa as |
whole, both because of ics inheritance
from the. broad standpoint Of iuter7la-
tioIa4 po!lcy and because eC0nunicaIly it (
Intimately concerns US to develop and I
Secure the rich Cuban market for our |
farmers, artisans, merchants and manu- |
guaranty. OF the good faith of our nation :
towards her young sister republic to the /
South. "hcSe welfare must ever be close !
l. bound with ours. We gave her liberty. /
the blood and the courage of our soldiers +!
VINO fought for her in war; by the mem /
ories of the wisdom and integrity of our /
administrators who saved her in peace /
and who started her so we'll in the diff |
cult path of self government. We must |
help her onward and upward; and in help
ing her We shall help ourselves.
The foregoing considerations caused the
negotiation of a treaty with Cuba and !
its ratification by the senate. They now,
with equal force, support the legisla ton
the treaty. is necessary to render it oper-
ative: A failure to enact such legislation !
would come perilously near a repudia ton
OF the e. pledged faith Of the nation.
by the senate and ratified by the
Cuban government
Theodore Roosevelt.
White House. November 10. 1903.