Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-11-11
58TH CONGRESS. T.
President Sends Message on
Reciprocity With Cuba.
Urges Taking Immediate Advantage
ofihe Opportunities offered.
Message Greeted with Hearty Applause
in Both Houses.

\ for short time today. but as soon as
| the Presidents message had been read
| adjournment was taken.
At 1880 O'Clock, the joint committee
Of the Senate and House of Represen-
/, tatives appointed to notify the Presi-
dent that Congress was organized and
ready to receive any messages he might
have to Communicate to it, called at the
| White House to perform its duty.
President Roosevelt received the joint
committee in his private Office. Sena-
tor Hoar presented to the President the
formal notification. The President in
formed the committee that he would
| communicate with Congress very soon
in writing.
The message in full follows:
| To the Senate and House of Repre-
sentatives:
| l have convened the Congress that It
may consider the legislation 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 govern
ment | deem such legislation de-
| manded 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 the Congress of the United States,
| this government thereby definitely
| committed itself to the policy of treat
| ing Cuba as occupying a unique posi-
ton as regards this country. 1t was
| provided that when the island became
| a free and independent republic she
| sOuld stand in such close relations with
| us as in certain respects to come with
in our system of international policy;
and it necessarily followed that she
must also to a certain degree become
included within the lines of our eco
nomic policy. Situated as Cuba is it
would not be possible for this country
to permit the strategic abuse of the is
land by any foreign military power.
1t is for this reason that certain limita-
tions have been imposed upon her
j financial policy. and that naval sta
lions 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 50
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 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 in
erased by the consequences of the war
: with Spain, and will be still further
increased by the building of the 18TH
milan canal. They are both military
and economic. The granting to US by
Cuba of the naval stations above al
luded to is of the utmost Importance
from Il 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 in 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 APP
prevail secures to the United States
economic advantages as great as those
given to Cuba. Not an American in
terest is satisfied. BY the treaty large
Cuban market is secured to our pro-
ducers. 1t is a 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.
1t would be indeed shortsighted for us
to refuse to take advantage of such an
opportunity, and TO force Cuba into
making arrangements with other coun-
tries to our disadvantage.
This reciprocity treaty stands by it.
self. 1t is demanded on considerations
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 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. ner-
chants and manufacturers. Finally, il
is desirable as a guaranty Of the good
faith Of our nation towards her young
sister republic to the south, whose well
fare must ever be closely bound with
ours. We gave her liberty. We are
thiiiL ~ iIei Ny tHe i!lPHlOIltS VI tIlc
blood and courage of our soldiers who
fought for her in war: by the memo
ries of the wisdom and integrity of
our administrators who served her in
peace and who started her so we'll on
! the difficult path of government.
We must help her onward and upward:
and in helping her we shall help our
selves
! 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 perilously
near reputation Of the pledged faith
/ Of the nation.
transmit herewith the treaty, as
(COntinuad IN nara ~