The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-11-10
The MESSAGE.
President Roosevelt Submits
Communication to Congress.
It Deals Exclusively With Cuban
Reciprocity.
DUTY AND GOOD POLICY
Both Combine to Make Favor
able Action Desirable.
Must Not Permit Europe to
Capture Trade of Island.
Reeder N . Chairman of Com
mittee on Mileage.

Washington, Nov. 10.-At the opening
of the sessions of the house and SEN
ate this morning the presidents mess
age was submitted as follows:
To the Senate and House of Repre-
sentatiyes:
1 have convened the congress that it
may consider the legislation necessary
to put into operation the commercial
treaty with Cuba, which was ratified
Dy the senate at its last session and
subsequently by the Cuban government.
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 congress of
the United States, this government
thereby definitely committed itself to
the policy of treating Cuba as occupy
ing unique position as regards this
country. 1t was provided that when the
island became a free and independent
republic she should stand in such close
relations with US as in certain respects
to come within our system of interna-
t1onal policy; and it necessarily follow
ed thai she must also to a certain de-
gree become included within the lines
of our economic policy. Situated as
! Cuba is it would not be possible for
this country to permit the strategetic
use of the island by any foreign mill
tary power. 1t is for this reason that
certain limitations have been imposed
upon her financial policy and thai naval
| stations have been conceded by her to
! the United 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 the intention ever to use them
against Cuba, or otherwise than for the
protection of Cuba from the assaults Of
4 foreign foes, and for the better safe
l T6 6i7ac nf 7V7ar inf re- in foa
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
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 treating
j us. Cuba has made great progress
/ since her independence was established.
4 She has advanced steadily in every
way. She already stands high among
4 her sister republics of the new world
She is Loyalty observing her obligations
to US; and she is entitled to like treat
ment by US.
The treaty submitted to you for ap-
proval secures to the United States
/ economic advantages as great as these
/ given to Cuba Not an American in
1 terest is sacrificed by the treaty a large
Cuban market is secured to our pro-
! dueerS. 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 our % export trade. It
would be indeed short sighted for us
to refuse to take advantage of such op-
portunity and to force Cuba into max
ing arrangements with other countries
to our disadvantage.
/ This reciprocity treaty stands by
itself 1t is demanded on consideration
of broad national policy as well as by
i our economic interest. 1t will do harm
i to no industry 1t will benefit many in
dustries. 1t is in the interest of our
people as a 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, artisans, mer-
chants and manufacturers Finally 1t
is desirable as guaranty of the good
faith of our nation towards her young
sister republic to the south, whose well
fare must be closely bound with ours.
We gave her liberty We are knit to
II her by the memories 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 admins
traitors who saved her in peace and who
started her so well in the difficult path
of self government. We must help her
onward and upward: and in helping her
we Snail HGlp OuISGlNSS
!. The foregoing considerations caused
| the negotiation of the treaty with Cuba
and its ratification by the senate They
. now with equal force support the 1egiS-
terms of the treaty is necessary to rem
der it operative. failure to enact
such legislation would come perilously
: near a reputation of the pledged faith
of the nation.
I transmit herewith the treaty as
amended by the senate and ratified by
| the Cuban government.
THEODORE ROOSEVELT.
, White House. November 10. 1903
IN THE SENATE
washington, Nov 10.-Today's session
of the senate was devoted exclusively to
the reading of the presidents message
in support of reciprocity with Cuba and
to the routine incident to the receipt OF
the message. The attendance of senators
was exceptionally large and many ap-
peared with large rolls of freshly pre-
pared bills.
The message received the careful at
tention of the senators and when its
| reading had been concluded Mr. Cullon
1ll.) was recognized to move the refer
ence to the committee on foreign rela-
, tions of the message and the Cubar
, treaty, the text of which had been trans
mitted with the message.
Il This molten prevailed and it had M
sooner been disposed of than upon mo-
) tion of Mr.. Allison Ua.) the senate ad-
: journed
IN THE HOUSE
Washington Nov 10.-Speaker Can
non called the house to order promptl!
at IL o'clock today. Mr.. Tawney, TO
the committee appointed by the speake
to wait on the president, reported tha
: the president had advised the cOmmitte
: that he would at once transmit mes
: sage in writing.
l. < joint resolution offered by MI