The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1903-11-18
ROOSEVELT URGES RECIPROCITY.
MUST KEEP FAITH WITH CUBA.
President Declares That the Treaty Is
Demanded on Grounds Of Broad
National Policy.
To the Senate and House of Repre-
gpntatfvps.

~ tne ocnute ana House OF Repre-
sentatives:
| have convened the Congress that
1t may consider the legislation neces-
sary to put into operation the com.
mercial treaty with Cuba. which was
ratified by the Senate at its last s s.
sion, and subsequently by the Cuban
government. | Geem such legislation
demanded 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 Plat
amendment was required from Cuba
by the action of the Congress of the
United States, this government there.
by definitely committed Itself to the
policy of treating Cuba as occupying
unique position as regards this
country. 1t was provided that when
the island became a free and inde.
pendent republic she should stand in
such close relations with us as in GER
tain respects to come within our sys-
TEN of international policy, and It neC-
essarlly followed that she must also to
a certain degree become included with
in the lines of cur economic policy.
possible for this country to premit the
strategic abuse of the island BY any
foreign military power.
II 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 negotia.
tons as to the details of these naval
stations are on the eve of completion
They are so situated as to prevent any
idea that there is the intention ever
to abuse them against Cuba, or other
wise than for the protection of Cuba
from the assaults of foreign foes. and
for the better safeguarding of Amer
lean interests in the waters south of
lis.
These interests have been largely
increased by the consequences of the
war with Spain, and will be still fur
ther increased by the building of the
Isthmian canal They are both mil
itary and economic. The granting to
MS by Cuba of the naval stations
above alluded TO is of the utmost i'm
portance from military standpoint
and is proof of the good faith with
which Cuba Is treating us. Cuba has
made great progress since her inde-
pendence 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 obligations to
us; and she is entitled TO like treat.
ment by us.
The treaty submitted TO your for ap-
proval secures to the United States
economic advantages as great as these
given to Cuba. Not an Am erican inter.
est is sacrificed. BY the treaty large
Cuban market is secured to our pro.
ducers. II is q 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.
It 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
itself. It is demanded on considera.
tions of broad national policy as well
as by our economic interest. It will
do no harm to industry 1t will ben
eft many industries. 1t is in the in
terest of our people as whole, both
because of its Importance from the
broad standpoint of international pol
icy and because economically 1t intl-
mately concerns us to develop and Sc
cure the rich Cuban market for our
farmers, artisans merchants and man
ufacturers. Finally, It Is desirable as
,ttr <Ng Cot
nation toward her young sister repub-
lie 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 ad-
ministrators 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 our
selves.
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 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
amended by the Senate and ratified by
the Cuban government
THEODORE ROOSEVELT.
White House, November 10, 1903.