Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1903-11-12
THE PRESIDENTS
MESSAGE

WASHINGTON, Nov. 10 When |
assembled at noon today the
reading of President Rooseyelt's mes
sage on the Cuban reciprocity question
was begun. 1t was not a long docu-
ment. The closest interest was paid
its reading by the members. The
message in full, is as follows
Ito the senate and house of repre-
scntativcs: | have convened the con
gress that it may consider the legisla-
tiou necessary to put into operation
the commercial treaty with Cuba,
which was ratified by the senate at its
last session. and subsequently by the
Cuban governments / deem such leg
islatiOn demanded not only by our in
terest but by our honor. We cannot
with propriety abandon the course up
on which we have so wisely embark
ed Whom the acceptance of the Platt
amendment was required from Cuba,
by the action of the congress Of the
United States, this government there
bv 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
island became "A free and independent
republic she should stand in such close
relations with Us a. III certain respects
to come within our system of interna-
tional policy; and it necessarily fol-
lowed that she must also to a certain
degree become included within the
lines of our economic policy.
Situated as Cuba is it would not
be possible for this country to permit
the strategic abuse of the island 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 to the United
States The negotiations as to the de
tails of these naval stations are on the
eve of completion. They are so 81 tu-
ated 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 as
saults of foreign foes. and for the bet
ter safeguarding of American interests
in the waters south of US.
"These interests have been largely
increased by the consequence Of the
war with Spain and Will be still fur
ther increased by the building of the
isthmian canal. The granting TO Us
bv Cuba of the naval stations above
alluded to is of the utmost Importance
from q 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 III 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 ap-
! proval secures TO the United States
| economic advantages as great rs those
| given to Cuba. Not an American in
terest is sacrificed. By the treaty 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 our export trade.
''It would be indeed shortsightcd
/ for US to refuse TO take advantage OF
| such an opportunity, and TO force Cuba
into making arrangements with other
! countries to our disadvantage. The
reciprocity treaty stands by itself. 1t
is demanded on considerations of broad
national policy as we'll as by our eco
| nOmic interests. 1t will do harm to nc
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, art
| isans, merchants and manufacturers.
Finally, it is desirable as a guaranty
of the good faith Of our nation to-
wards her young sister republic to the
| south, whose welfare must ever be
| closely bound With ouIs. 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 in
war; by the memories Of the wisdom
and integrity of our administrators
who served her in peace and who start
ed her so well on the difficult path of
self government We must help her
onward and upward, and in helping
her we shall help ourselves.
''The foregoing considerations caus-
ed the negotiation of the treaty with
| Cuba and its ratification by the senate.
They now with equal force support
the legislation by the congress which
by the terms of the treaty is necessary
to render it operative. a failure to
enact such legislation would come per
iously near a reputation of the pledg-
ed faith Of the nation
II transmit, herewith the treaty, as
amended by the senate aud ratified
by the Cuban government.
THEODORE ROOSEVELT.
White House, Nov. 10, 1903. -
Disastrous Wrecks.