The sun., 1903-11-11
MESSAGE ON CUBAN TREATY.
PRESIDENT URGES CONGRESS TO
GRANT RECIPROCITY.
y,tlon's Faith Pledged-EconOmicA Advan-
tages secured 10 Us as Great as Those
Given Cuba--ReciprOcal Reduction or
Duty of 70 Per Cent. Provided For.

tases secured 10 Us as Great as Those
Given Cupa--Re ciprOcal Reduction or
Duty Of 10 Per Cent. Provided For.
WASHINGTON, Nov 10.-The message Of
tho President to the extraordinary session
ot the Fifty-eighth Congress was sent to
bo,h houses at noon to-day. Its text
follows.
To The Senate and House Of Representatives.:
have convened the Congress that 1t
NAV consider the legislation necessary to
mt into operation the commercial treaty
With cuba, which was ratified by the Senate
At lis last session and subsequently by the
cuban government. l deem such legisla-
tion demanded not only by our interest
hit bv our honor. We cannot with pro-
prie,v abandon the course upon which we
have SO wisely embarked When the ac-
ceptance Of the Platt amendment was re-
ouired from Cuba by the action of the Con-
oress of the United States, this Government
thereby definitely committed itself to the
policy of treating Cuba as occupying a
nnioue position as regards this country.
1t was provided that when the island
became free and independent republic
she should stand in such close relations
with us as in certain respects to come
within our system of international policy,
and it necessarily followed that she must
also to certain degree become included
within the lines of our economic 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. 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 negotiations as to the details of these
naval stations are on the eve of compile
ton They are 80 situated ~ 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
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 increased
BY the building of the Isthmian canal. They
are both military and economic. he grant
ing to US by. Cuba OF the naval stations
above alluded to is Of the utmost impor-
tance from 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 already stands high among her sister
republics Of the New World. She Is loyalty
observing her obligations to us, and she Is
entitled to like treatment by us.
The treaty submitted to you for approval
secures to the United States economic ad-
vantages as great as those given to Cuba
Not an American interest Is sacrificed. BY
the treaty a large Cuban market is secure d
to our producers. 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 DO indeed
shortsighted for US to refuse to take ad-
vantage OF such an opportunity and to
force Cuba into making arrangements with
other countries to our disadvantage.
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
because economically it intimately con-
Germs us to develop and secure the rich
Cuban market for our farmers, artisans.
merchants and manufacturers,
Finally it is desirable as a guaranty Of the
good faith OF our nation toward 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, the wisdom and integrity
of our administrators who served her in
peace, and who started her 80 well on the
difficult path Of self-government, We must
help her onward and upward: and in help
ing 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 the
treaty, is necessary to render it operative:
A failure to enact such legislation would
come perilously near a reputation Of the
pledged faith Of the nation.
Transmit herewith the treaty, az amended
by the Senate and ratified by the Cuban
Government. THEODORE ROOSEVELT.
WHITE HOUSE, Nov. 10, 1908.
PROVISIONS OF THE TREATY.
The Cuban reciprocity treaty provides
minated sooner, there shall be reduction
Of 20 per cent. in the rate of duty on mer-
chandise the product of the United States
or Of Cuba. when imported into the other
country, Tobacco grown in the United
States or its insular possessions however,
is expressly excluded from the benefits
Of the reduction. 1t is also specifically
provided that Cuban sugar shall not receive
greater reduction than 20 per cent during
the life of the treaty, and that the United
States shall grant no other country re-
duction of the tariff on that staple during
that time.
While the maximum reduction made by
the United States on Cuban products is 20
per cent, Cuba, on the other hand, gives
a reduction of 25, 30 and 10 per cent, on
certain articles.
Those admitted at rs per cent, reduction
are: Machinery and apparatus OF copper
or its alloys, or machines and apparatus
in which copper or it's alloys enter as the
components Of CHEF value cast iron,
wrought iron and steel, and manufactures
thereof; articles Of crystal and glass, ex-
oept window glass; certain grades of cotton,
and manufactures thereof ships and water
borne vessels Of all kinds, of iron or steel;
whiskevs and brandies; fish, sated. picked,
smoked or marinated; fish or shell fish,
preserved in oil or otherwise in tins; and
certain articles Of pottery or earthenware.
AT reduction of 30 per cent Butter,
chemical and Pharmaceutical products
and simple drugs malt liquor in bottles;
non-alcoholc beverages, cider. mineral
waters; colors and dyes; window glass:
complete or partly made up articles OF