The Kinsley graphic. [volume] (Kinsley, Kan.) 1890-1940, 1903-11-13
HONOR DEMANDS IT"
President Roosevelt Urges Congress
to Ratify Treaty with Cuba.
I Failure TO Pass Favorably Upon II. he
Says, Would Come Perflously Near
Repudiatfon of the Pledged
Faith of the Nation.

Washington, Nov 1O.-The follow
ing message was sent to congress to-
day by the president, telling the rea-
son why 1t was called in extraordinary
session.:
TO the Senate and House of Representa-
tives:
=. I have convened congress that 1t may
consider the legislation necessary to put
+ INTO operation the commercial treaty with
Cuba, which was ratified by the senate
at it's last session and subsequently by
abe Cuban government. / deem such
legislation demanded not only by our in
tereSt, but by our honor. We cannot with
oropriety abandon the course upon which
We have so wisely embarked. When the
acceptance of the Plat amendment was
required from Cuba by the action of the
congress Of the United States this govern
nent thereby definitely committed itself
10 the policy OF treating Cuba as occupy
ing q unique position regards this
country. 1t was provided that when the
ISLAND became a free and independent re-
public she should stand in such close re-
tations with US as in certain respects TO
some within our system OF international
policy; and 1t necessarily followed that
she must also to a certain degree be-
come 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 plan 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 ne
gotfations as to the details of these
naval stations are on the eve Of
completion. They are so situated as
% 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 Amer
lean interests in the waters south of us.
These interests have been largely in
Teased by the consequences of the war
with Spain and will be still further in
creased by the building of the isthmian
,anal. They are both military and eco-
1omic. The granting to us by Cuba of
The naval stations above alluded to is
If the most Importance from military
standpoint and is proof of the good faith
with which Cuba is treating us. Cuba
mas made great progress since her indie
oendepce was established. She has adj
yanced steadily in every way. She al
ready stands high among her sister re-
publics of the new world. She is Loyalty
observing her obligations to us; and She
s entitled to like treatment by US.
The treaty submitted to you for APP
proval secures to the United States
economic advantages as great as those
given to Cuba Not an American inter-
st Is sacrificed by the treaty. A large
Cuban market Is secured to our pro-
iucers. 1t is a market which lies at our
ioors, which Is already large, which Is
capable of great expansion and which is
especially important to the development
IF our export trade. 1t would be indeed
shortsighted for us to refuse to take adj
|antage of such opportunity and to force
Cuba into making arrangements with
,ther countries to our disadvantage.
IT, aff
.self. 1t is demanded on consideration Of
BROAD national policy as well by our
economic interest. 1t will do harm to no
industry. 1t will benefit many industries.
It is in the interest OF our people as, a
whole, both because of it's Importance
from the broad standpoint of interna-
ional policy and because economically
L intimately concerns us to develop and |
secure the rich Cuban market for our
farmers, artisans merchants and manu-
tacturers. Finally, 1t is desirable as a
guaranty of the good faith of our nation
towards her young sister republic to the
south, whose welfare must ever be close.
~ bound with ours. We gave her lib |
srty. We are knit to her by the memo |
cies 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 saved her in |
ceace and who started 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 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
che treaty is necessary to render 1t opera
live. A failure to enact such legislation
would come perilously near a 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.
White House, Nov. 10, 1903