The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-11-11
LIFTS Ct inch The
TREATY WITH CUBA
The GiSt of RooseveIt's S Mes
sage to Congress.
POlN S OUl ADVAN TAGES
And Asks That Legislation Necessary to Put |
Into OPERATION May b. CONSIDERED
at Onc,- ha NJ ssage
Read in Congress
Especial to News and Observer. }

Especial to News and Observer)
dents message to the called session OF
Congress was submitted to that body to-
day and read in both branches. The mes
sage follows:
To the Senate and House of Representa-
tives:
l have convened the Congress that it
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 subsequent
~ by the Cuban government. l deem
such legislation demanded not only by
our interests but by our honor. We can
not with propriety abandon the course
upon which we have so wisely embarked
When the acceptance of the Platt amend
ment was required from Cuba by the ac-
tion of the Congress of the United States
this government thereby definitely COM
mitted itself to the policy of treating
Cuba as occupying a unique position as
regards this country. 1t was provided
that when the island became free and
independent republic she should stand in
respects to come within our system OF
international policy; and it necessarily
followed that she must also to a certain
degree become included within the lines
of our economic policy. Situated as Gu
ba is, it would not be possible for this
country to permit the strategic abuse OF
Tie island by any foreign military power
1t is for this reason that certain hmita-
tions have been imposed upon her fnan
cal policy and that naval stations have
been conceded by her to the United
I States. The negotiations as to the de-
tails of these naval stations are on the
eve of completion. They are so situated
as to 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 Ameri
can interests in the water south of US.
These interests have been largely in
creased by the consequences of the War
with Spain, and viii be still further in
creased by the building of the isthmian
canal. They are both military and econo
mic. The granting to us by Cuba of the
naval stations above alluded TO is Of the
utmost Importance from a military stand
point, and is proof of the good faith with
which Cuba is treating us. Cuba has
made great progress since her independ
ence 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 he,
obligations to us, and she is entitled to
like treatment by us.
The treaty submitted to you for ap
proval secures to the United States econo
mic advantages as great as those given to
Cuba. Not an American interest is sacri-
feed. BY the treaty, a large Cuban
market is secured to our producers. 1t Is
a 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 ex-
port trade. 1t would be indeed short
sighted for us to refuse to take advantage
Of such an opportunity, and to force
Cuba into making arrangements with
other countries to our disadvantage.
! This reciprocity treaty stands by itself.
1t Is demanded on considerations OF broad
national policy as we'll as by our economic
interest. It will do harm to no industry.
| 1t will benefit many industries. 1t is in
the interest Of our people whole,
! both because of its Importance from the
/ broad standpoint of international policy
and because economically it intimately
concerns us to develop and secure the
rich Cuban market for our farmers. ar
| tisans merchants and manufacturers.
Finally. it is desirable as a guaranty OF
the good faith of our nation towards her
young sister republic TO the South, whose
welfare 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 who fought
for her i'll war by the memories of the
wisdom and integrity of our administra-
tors who served her III peace and who
started her so we'll on the difficult path
Of selt-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
it's ratification by the Senate They
now with equal force support the legis-
lation by the Congress which, by the
terms of the treaty is necessary to render
it operative. A failure to enact such legis-
lation would come pcrilously near a re-
pudiation of the pledged faith Of the ma,
tion.
transmit herewith the treaty as amend
ed by the Senate and ratified by tho
Cuban government.
THEODORE ROOSEVELT.
White House. November 10, 1903.