The Montgomery tribune. (Montgomery City, Mo.) 1892-1910, 1903-11-20
MESSAGE OF THE PRESIDENT
President Roosevelt's Communica-
tion to Congress.


the 9Th Instant:
The Senate and House Of Represent
atiycs: | have convened the congress
that II may consider the legislation
necessary to put into operation tho
commercial treaty with Cuba, which
was ratified by tho senate at Its last
session and subsequently by the Gu
ban government ! deem such logisla-
ton demanded not only by our inter
est but by our honor. We can not
with propricty abandon the course up
on which we have 30 wisely embarked.
When the acceptance OF tho Plat
amendment wal required from Cuba
by the action OF the congress Of the
United States. this government den
nitely committed itself to the policy
OF treating Cuba as occupying q
unique position ms regards this coun-
try. IL was provided that when the H.
land became a free and independent
republic she could stand In such close
relations with US n In certain respects
Ia como within our system OF inter-
national policy; and II necessarily fol-
lowed that sho must also. to a certain
degree become included within the
lines Of our economic policy. Situated
as Cuba ~. II would not bo possible
for this country to permit tho strategic
abuse Of the plan by any foreign mill
tary power.
II IL for this reason that certain lin
l~tatlons have been Imposed upon her
financial policy and hat 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 ara
40 situated ns to prevent any idea thai
there " the Intention ever to use thcin
against Cuba, or otherwise than for
the protection Of Cuba from the as
snults OF foreign focs and for tho bet
tormcnt of America In the waters south
OF ny.
These Interests have been largely In
creased by tho consequences Of the war
with Spain aud Will be still further In
creased by tho building Of tho
isthmlnn canal They nro both mill
tary and economic. The granting to
~ by Cuba OF the naval stations above
alluded to IL Of the utmost Importance
from u military standpoint. aud ia
proof of the good faith with which
Cubn is treating NJ. Cuba has made
grcHt progress since her Independence
was established. She has advanced
steadily In oycry way. She already
7 stands high among her sister republics
of the Now World. Sho ~ Loyalty oh.
serving her OBLIGATIONS TO M. and she
" entitled 10 like treatment by NJ.
Tho treaty submitted to you for an.
prevail secures Ia tho United States eco
monte ADV utagcs as great MS those civ.
cntoCuhn, Not IN American Interest Is
sacrificed by the treaty: n large Cuban
market is secured 10 our producers. II
u n market which lies at our doors
which IL already large. which IL capa-
bio of Ercat expansion. and which Ia
especially Important to the develop.
mcut of our export trade. II would be
Indeed shnrtsightcd for us TO refuse 10
tal,c advantage NJ such opportunity,
md To force Cubn into maiang ar.
tunrcmcntH with other countries TO our
disadvantage.
THIS reciprocity treaty stands by II.
self. II Is demanded ON considerations
OF broad national policy as well as by
our economic Interest. II viii do harm
to no Industry, II will benefit many
Industries, It Is In tho interest of u
people as n whole, both because Of It's
Importance from the board standpoint
of international policy. and because
economically II intimately concerns us
to develop and secure tho rich Cuban
marKot for our farmers. artisans. mer-
chants and manufacturers. Finally, Il
is desirable as n guaranty of the good
faith NJ our nation towards her young
sister republic to the south. whose
welfare must ever be closely bound
with ours. We gave her 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 tho wisdom and integrity
Of our administrators who saved 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 wo shall help our.
selves,
Tho foregoing considerations caused
the negotiation OF the treaty with Cuba
and its ratification by tho senate. They
now with equal force support tho leg.
islation by the congress which. by the
terms Of the treaty, is necessary 10 ren.
der It operative. A failure To enact
such legislation would come ~perlously
ear a population OF the pledged faith
OF the nation,
transmit herewith the treaty a.
amended by the sonate and ratified BY