The Lexington dispatch. [volume] (Lexington, South Carolina) 1870-1917, 1903-11-18
Presidents Message.
Urges Congress to Keep Faith With
Cuba.

Washington, NOV. lUs lSoo.
To the Senate and House of Repre-
sentatives:
have convened the congress that
it may consider the Legislation neces-
.sary to put into operation the COM
mercial treaty with Cuba, which was
ratified by the senate at it's last ses-
sion, and subsequently by the Cuban
government. I deem such legisla-
ton demanded not only by our inter-
est but by our honor. We cannot
with propriety abandon the course
upon which we have so wisely en-
barked. When the acceptance OF
the Platt amendment was required
from Caba by the action of the con-
eress of the United States, this gov
eminent thereby definitely commit
ed itself to the policy Of treating
Cuba as occupying an unique posi-
ton as regards this country. 1t was
provided that when the island be-
came q free and Independent repub-
Lie she should stand in such close
relations with us as in certain respects
to come within our system OF inter-
national policy; and it necesssri'
" followed that she must also
TO a certain degree become in
cluded within the lines OF u eco
nomic 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. It 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 nego.
tiations as to the details OF these
naval stations are on the eve of com
pletion. They T so situated as to
prevent any idea that there is the
intention ever to use them against
Cubs, or otherwise than for the pro-
lection OF Cuba from the assaults of
foreign foes, and for the better safe
guarding of American interests 10
the waters south of US.
These interests have been largely
increased by the consequences of the
var with Spain, and will be still fur
Their increased by the building of the
isthmisn canal. They are both mill
tary and economic. The granting to
use by Cuba of the naval stations
above alluded to is of the utmost
Importance from q military stand
point, 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 observing her obliga-
tons to ne; and she is entitled to
like treatment by US.
The treaty submitted to you for
approval secures to the United States
economic advantages as great as
those given to Cuba. Not an Ameri-
can interest is sacrificed. By the
treaty, q large Cuban market is SO.
cured to our producers. It is a
market which lies at our doors, which
is already large, which is capable OF
great expansion and which is espec.
tally important to the development
of our export trade. 1t would be
indeed short-sighted for US to refuse
to take advantage Of such an oppor-
tunity, and TO force Cuba into making
arrangements with other countries to
our disadvantage.
This reciprocity treaty stands by
itself. It is demanded on considera-
ton of broad national policy as we'll
as by our economic interest. 1t will
do harm to no industry. It will bene-
ft many industries. It is in the
interest of our people as a whole,
both because of it's importance from
the broad standpoint of international
policy. and because economically it