The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1903-11-12
OUR CUBAN TRADE
The Presidents Message to
Congress on Rec procity.
ISLANDS POSITION is UNIQUE.
IL Was Provided by the Trenty That
when Freedom WAS Declared She
should stand In Close Trade
Relation with This Country.

WASHINGTON. Nov. 10. 49, presi.
dent Roosevelt's message TO congress,
convened in extra session, was sent to
the house today:
10 the Senate and House Of Representa-
have convened the congress that IL
may consider the legislation necessary to
put INTO operation the commercial treaty
with Cuba which was ratified by the sem
ate AZ It's last session and subsequently by
,he CUBAN government. deem such legis-
lation demanded not only by our Interest
but by our honor. We cannot with pro.
priety abandon the course upon which we
nave so wisely embarked. When the ac-
ceptance OF the Platt amendment was re-
CURED from Cuba by the action of the
congress of the United States, this gov-
ernment thereby definitely committed It.
self TO the policy of trea ting Cupa as oc-
cupylng unique position as regards this
country. 1t was provided that when the
Island became a free and Independent re-
public she should stand in such close rela-
tions with us as IN certain respects to
come within our system of international
policy, and 1t necessarily followed that
she must also to n certain degree become
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 island by any for
eign military power.
II Is for this reason that certain limlta-
lions nave been imposed upon her imam
ciai poncy and that naval stations have
been conceded by her to the United states
Ihe negotiations as to the details of these
naval stations are on the eve of compile
ton. They are so situated as to prevent
any idea that there is the intention ever
TO use them against Cuba Or Otherwise
thah Tor the protection of Cuba from the
assaults of foreign foes and for the better
safeguarding of American interests in the
waters south OF us.
These interests have been largely in
creased by the consequences of the war
with spain and will be still further in
creased by the building Of the isthmian
arn hAr tia,. "a
nomlc. Tne granting to US by Cuba OF the
naval stations above alluded to is of the
utmost Importance from a 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 obli-
cations to us. and she is entitled to like
The treaty submitted to you for ap-
proNal secures to the United States eco
nomic advantages as great as those given
sacrificed. BY the treaty n large Cuban
market is secured TO our producers. II Is
n market which lies at our doors, which is
already large, which is capable of great
expansion and which is especially impor-
tant 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 countries
This reciprocity treaty stands by itself.
1t Is demanded ON considerations of broad
ational policy as well as by our economic
interest. 1t will do harm to no industry.
1t will benefit many Industries II Is In
the interest OF our people as whole. both
because OF its Importance from the broad
standpoint of international policy and be-
cause economically 1t intimately concerns
us to develop and secure the rich Cuban
market for our farmers. artisans, mer-
chants and manufacturers Finally II Is
desirable as a guarantee of the good faith
of our nation toward her young sister re-
public to the south. whose welfare must
ever be closely bound with ours. We gave
hor liberty. We are knit to her by the
memories 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 served her in
peace 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
its 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 1t operative.
A failure to enact such legislation would
come perilously near a population 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.