The daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Beltrami Co., Minn.) 1903-1904, 1903-11-11
PRESIDEN1'S
ANNUAL MESSAGE

the UnlIeu S1a1es4.thls@ gQNernmenI
thereby committed Itself to the policy
OF treating Cuba as occupying a
unique position as regards this coun-
try. It was provided that when the
island became free and independ-
ent republic she should stand in such
close relation with us as in certain re-
spects to come within our system Of
international policy: and it necessar-
lily followed that she must also. to a
certain degree. become included with
In the lines of our economic policy.
Naval Station Negotiations.
Situated as Cuba is it would not be
possible for this country to permit the
strategic abuse of the plan By any
foreign military power. 1t is for this
reason that certain limitations have
been imposed upon her financial pol
Icy and that 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 pro-
CCNliOA OlAASuOd llOlli NuS dSSaNllS VI
foreign foes, and for the better safe
guarding of American interests in the
waters south of us.
These interests have been largely
increased by the consequences OF the
war with Spain and will be still fur
ther increased by the building Of the
isthmian canal They are both mil
itary and economic The granting to
us by Cuba OF the naval stations
above alluded to is of the utmost i'm
portance from q military standpoint
and is proof of the good faith with
which Cuba is treating us. Cuba has
made great progress since her inde-
pendence 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 her obliga-
tions 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 as these
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, shortsighted for
US to refuse to take advantage of such
opportunity and to force Cuba into
making arrangements with other coun-
tries to our disadvantage.
The reciprocity treaty stands by IT.
self. It is demanded on consideration
OF broad national policy as we'll as by
our economic interest. 1t will do
harm to no industry 1t will benefit
many industries. 1t Is in the interest
of our people as whole, both be-
cause of it's Importance from the broad
standpoint OF international policy and
because economically 1T intimately
concerns US to develop and
Secure the Rich Cuban Market
for our farmers, artisans, merchants
and manufacturers. Finally. it Is de-
sirable as guaranty Of the good faith
of our nation towards her young sis
ter republic to the south, whose well
ldIC ll1uSb cVcl We ClOoSiy DQuuu VIII
ours We gave her liberty. We are
knit to her by the memories of the
blood and the courage of our oldiers
who fought for her in war; by the
memories of the wisdom and integri-
ty Of our administrators who saved
her in peace and who started her SO
well on the difficult path OF self-gov-
eminent. 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
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-
ilously near 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.
SEVERE FIGHTING EXPECTED.