New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-11-11
TIE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.

The Presidents Message TO Congress, relating
wholly to the commercial treaty with Cuba, IS
short and notably moderate in tone. 1t was
listened 10 with closer attention by Senators
and REPRESENTATIVES than they would probably
have given to an extended rehearsal of facts
and arguments already familiar 10 Congress
and the country. and the first impression pro-
d,ced hv a concise and simple statement of the
case is likely 10 be lasting.
The United States having abolished Spanish
sovereignty over the island Of Cuba. made it
possible for the Cuban people TO establish an
iDdependent government of their own. and gen
crouslv assisted the new nation to start upon
the path Of progress and prosperity. But i'm
perative considerations Of self-interest as well
as Of what the permanent welfare of Cuba re-
Quired induced this country TO insist upon re-
tanning a certain measure of authority in her
affairs. We have established naval stations IN
Cuba. We have 10 some extent limited the
scope of her financial operations and foreign in
tercourse. Those regulations were imposed upon
her government by ours in her interest not less
than for the advantage of the United States.
l,ut the fact remains that in accepting such a
degree OF responsibility for Cuba in the face of
the world we contracted a moral obligation 10
bestow upon her commercial opportunities
equivalent 10 those OF which she might be de-
prived in consequence Of the acts by which we
qualified her autonomy 1t is only fair that in
return for her concessions TO our demands We
should enable her to find profitable market in
this country for her products. and if we had
nothing except our own credit and her good will
10 secure by taking that course the prOprety
of taking it, even at pecunary risk. would be
obvious.
But fortunately this country is not required
10 add to the sacrifices which it has already in
CURED in behalf of Cuba. The President asks
Congress by means of such legislation as is
requisite to put the commercial treaty into eff
feet. 10 assure a valuable market TO the mer-
chants the manufacturers and the farmers of
the United States. AS the President says. 1T is
"A market which lies at our doors, which is al
ready large which is capable OF great expan-
'sion, and which is especially important to the
development Of our export trade. 1t would be
indeed shortsighted for us to refuse to take
advantage OF such opportunity and 10 force
Cuba into making arrangements with other
countries TO our disadvantage" 1t is. further
more. a market which Cuba does not wish to
bestow elsewhere. but much prefers that we
should enjoy. That self-interest requires us TO
accept il is undoubtedly the opinion of a great
majority Of those who are competent to pass
Judgment upon the question. That national
honor demands the establishment of such COM
mercial relations the treaty contemplates is
the wellnigh universal conviction of the Amer
lean people The President gives faithful ex-
preston 10 public sentiment when he saws that
a failure 10 enact the legislation which he rec
ommendS would come perilOuSly near a re-
pudiation Of the pledged faith of the nation"