Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1903-11-12
PRESIDENTS
MESSAGE
SHORT COMMUNICATION SENT TO
CONGRESS-.
Special Session Convened for the
Purpose of Considering LegisIa-
ton Necessary to Put In Opera
ton Commercial! Treaty Negotiat-
ed With Cuba.

To the Senate and house of representa-
| tlVes:
| have convened the congress that il
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, 10y the Cuban government.
| deem such legislation demanded not
only by our interest, hut by our honor.
We cannot with propriety abandon The
course upon which we have so wisely
embarked.
hen the acceptance of the Plat
amendment was required from Cuba by
the action of the congress Cf the United
states, this government thereby def
niteiv committed itself to the policy of
treating Cuba as occupying a unique
position az regards this country. 1t
was provided that W hen the island be.
came free and Independent republic
she should stand in such close relation
to us as III certain respects to come
within our system Of international pol
icy; and it necessarily followed that
she must also, to certain degree be-
come included within the lines OF our
economic policy. Situated as Cuba is,
it would Not he wise for this country
to permit the strategic use OF the island
by any foreign military power
1t is for this reason that certain linn
itations have been imposed upon her
financial policy and that naval stations
have been conceded 10y her TO the Uni
ted States. The negotiations as to the
details of these naval stations are on
the eve of completion. They are SO
situated as to prevent any idea that
there is anv intention ever to use them
against Cuba or otherwise than for the
protection OF Cuba from the assaults of
foreign foes. And what better safe
guarding of American interests in the
water south OF us?
Interests Increased.
These interests have been largely in
creased by the consequences Of the war
with Spain and will he still further in
creased bv the building OF the isthmiau
canal. They are both military 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 is proof OF the
good faith with which Cuba is treat
ing us.
Cuba has made great progress since
her independence was esta blished.
She has advanced steadily in every
way. She stands high among her sis.
ter republics OF the new world. She is
Loyalty observing her obligations to lis ;
she is entitled to like treatment by us.
The treaty submitted to you for APP
prevail secures to the United Sta.es
economic advantages as great as those
given to Cuba. Not an American in
terest is sacrificed by the treaty, and
a large Cuban market is secured to our
producers. 1t is 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 orr export trade.
1t would indeed be short-sighted for us
to refuse to take advantage OF such OPP
portHnity and to force Cuba into max
ing arrangements with other countries
to our disadvantage.
Treaty Stands by Itself
This reciprocity treaty stands by
itself. 1t is demanded in consideration
OF broad national policy as we'll as by
our economic interest. 1t will do harm
to no industry. 1t will benefit many
| industl les. 1t is in the interest Of our
people as whole, both because of its
Importance from the broad standpoint
OF international policy and because
economically it concerns US to develop
and secure the rich Cuban market for
our farmers, artisans, merchants and
manufacturers.
Finally it is desirable as guarantee
OF the good faith OF orr nation towards
our young sister republic, whose vel.
fare 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
,ho fought for her in wars: by the
memories OF wisdom and integrity OF
our administrators who saved her in
peace and started her so we'll on the
difficult path of self government. We
must help her onward and upward I;
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 witt. equal force support the
legislation by the congress, which, by
the terms OF the treaty is necessary to
render il operative. as failure to enact
such legislation would come perilously
near a Reputation of the pledged faith
OF the nation. | transmit herewith the
treaty as amended by the senate and
ratified by the Cuban government.
THEODORE ROOSEVELT.
White House, Nov. 10, 1903.
Tells of Cudahy kidnapping
st. Joseph, Mo-, Nov. 9.-Thomas
Costello, alias Tom Murphy, an aged