The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1903-11-13
1.-THE PRESIDENT SENDS
HIS MESSAGE TO
CONGRESS
Must Help Cuba Is His
Text.
SHORTEST ON RECORD

gress today. 1t is the shortest mes.
sage on record:
To the Senate and House OF Repre-
sentatives:
II have convened the congress that
1t may consider the legislation neces-
sary to put into operation the COM
mercial treaty with Cuba, which was
ratified by the senate at its last ses-
sion, and subsequently by the Cuban
government. I deem such legislation
demanded not only by our interest
but by our honor. We cannot with
propriety abandon the course upon
which we have SO wisely embarked.
When the acceptance Of the Platt
amendment was required from Cuba
by the action of the congress of the
United States this government there
by definitely committed itself to the
policy Of treating Cuba as occupying
a unique position as regards this coun-
try.
1T was provided that when the is
land became q free and Independent
republic that she should stand in such
close relations with us as In certain
respects to come within our system
of international policy, and 1t neces-
sarily followed that she must also to
a certain degree become 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 is
land 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 by her 10
the United State The negotiations as
to the details Of these naval stationA
are on the even 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 American in
terests in the waters south of us.
These interests have been largely
incI eased by the consequences OF Tn
war with Spain, and will be still fur
ther increased by the building of the
isthmian canal. They are both mill
tary and economic. The granting to
us by Cuba of the naval stations above
alluded to is of the utmost Importance
from military standpoint and Is
proof of the good faith with which
Cuba is treating us. Cuba has made
great progress since her independence
was established. She has advanced
steadily In every way. She already
stands high among her sister republics
of the new world. She Is Loyalty OBJ
serving her obligations to us, and she
is entitled to like treatment by us.
THE treaty submitted to you for
approval secures to the United States
economic advantages as great AZ
those given to Cuba. Not an American
interest is sacrificed. BY the treaty q
large Cuban market is secured to our
producers. 1t is market which lies
at our doors, which is already large
which is capable Of greater expansion
and which is especially important tt
the development Of our export trade
llt would be indeed short-sighted for ui
to refuse to take advantage Of such ar
opportunity, and to force Cuba intC
making arrangements with other coun'
tries to our disadvantage.
This reciprocity treaty stands by
itself. It is demanded ON considera
tions OF broad national policy as wei
as by our economic interest. 1t will
do harm to no industry. II will bene
At many industries. It is In the inter
est of our people as whole, both be-
cause of Its importance from the broat
standpoint Of international policy. ant
because economically 1t intimately con
Germs US to develop and secure the ricf
Cuban market for our farmers, arti
sans, mechanics and manufacturers
Finally 1t 10 desirable AZ guaranty o.
the good faith of our nation towardi
her young sister republic to the south
whose welfare must ever be closely
bound with ours.
"We gave her liberty. We are kni
to her by tho memories Of the blood
and In the courage Of our soldiers WHIT
fought for her in war; by the memories
Of the wisdom and integrity of our ad
rninistrators who served her In peac'
and who started her 80 we'll on the diff
ficult path Of sslf-government. W.
must help her onward and upward. and
in helping her. He shall help oYrselyes
"The noresoing Confederation cau5ef
the negotiation OF the treaty with Cubs
and It's ratification by the senate. The,
now with equal force support the leg
islation by the congress which by thu
terms OF the treaty is necessary to rem
der It operative. A failure to enact
such legislation would come perilously