Arizona republican. [volume] (Phoenix, Ariz.) 1890-1930, 1903-04-12
President Palrra's r1essage.

Il =
The message of President Palma,
transmitted to the Cuban congress :.
few days ago, furnishes interesting IN
formation concerning the affairs OF the
new republic and in addition thereto
expresses friendship for the United
States which is gratifying to ali Amer
leans. Senior Palma congratulates his
country on the maintenance of peace
and order since the strikes, last No
vember. He says that negotiations
have been completed providing for the
entrance of Cuba in the postal union
and for the special arrangements with
the United States and Mexico, and he
advises an entire reconstruction Of the
postal and telegraph systems.
The majority of the municipalities,
explains President Palma, exist with
difficulty, because their revenues are
inadequate. The government feels
that furthr assistance to the munici-
palities in many cases is unauthorized
beyond paying the expenses o. chari-
ties, schools and prisons. and the Op-
legations of the municipalities canno,
continue to be met unless congress
specifically authorizes the government
to act in this matter. The work OF
sanitation, as at present conducted by
the government, is not in harmony
with the constitution. Since the P.att
amendment makes the government
responsible for sanitation, It is urgec
that an act covering the work of sam
| tation be passed. The message states
| that Cuba has now five diplomatic and
| seventy eight consular representative
and that the government is considering
various extradition treaties and the
commercial treaty proposed by Great
Britain
The message then says:
Our relations with the United State.
continue to be close and cordial. Much
| more gratifying is the noble and reso-
lutely favorable attitude of the presI-
dent of that great republic. 1t is
enough to remember the obstacles
which his stubborn will have overcome
| in negotiating the reciprocity treaty
and obtaining the ratification thereof,
and his firm purpose to summon =
| special session of congress to definitely
| approve it. Besides the sympathy and
respect which we inspire among the
American people by our exemplary
conduct as an Independent people who
realize the duties and responsibilities
of, citizenship. these circumstances
powerfully contribute in solidifyinS the
good understanding between beth M
| lions.
1T is in our interest to cultivate
worthily these sentiments, and we can
not do so better than by carrying GU:
our obligations to the Washington gov
eminent, expeditiously, frankly and
correctly, whether it be by grantins;
what we ought to grant or refusing
what we consider ourselves justified III
refusing. 1t is unnecessary to recall
| the fact that in the naval station
agreement, which is in the hands of
the senate, the United States has o.
! tanned sites at Guantanamo and Bahi:,
Honda. after asking also for Nipe and
| Cienfuegos. 1t being impossible to
dude carrying out our duty IN accord
zee with the Platt amendment the
eutive believes that the convention
saeen made the most favorable pos
as5fud recommends q speedy appru-
20 that it may be possible tc
"a an additional agreement L
The price of the leases anG
@ Jnditions and details regulating
tn, possession of the stipulated area:
of land and water