Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1903-11-19
MESSAGE OF THE PRESIDENT
President Roosevelt's CCmmunica.
ton to Congress.
IL Is Devoted Exclusively to the Reciprocity
Treaty with Cuba For Which
the Session Was Called.

Washington, Nov. 10.-Following is
the message of President Roosevelt to
the Fifty-eighth congress which as
sembled in extraordinary session on
the sth instant:
The Senate and House of Represent
atives: | have convened the congress
that it may consider the legislation
necessary to put into operation the
commercial treaty with Cuba, which
was ratified by the senate at its last
session and subsequently by the Gu
ban government. l deem such legisla-
tion demanded not only by u inter-
est but by our honor. We can not
with propriety abandon the course up
on which we have so wisely embarked.
When the acceptance of the Platt
amendment was required from Cuba
by the action of the congress of the
United States, this government def
nitely committed itself to the policy
of treating Cuba as occupying a
unique position as regards this coun-
try. 1t a provided that when the is
land became a free and independent
republic she could stand in such close
relations with us as in certain respects
to come within our system of inter-
national policy; and it necessarily fol-
lowed that she must also, to a certain
degree become included within the
lines of wi economic policy. Situated
as Cuba is, it would not be possible
for this country to permit the strategic
abuse of the plan by any foreign mill
tary power.
1t is for this reason that certain linn
itations have been imposed upon her
financial policy and that 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 are
so situated as 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 as
saults Of foreign foes and for the bet
terment of America in the waters south
of us.
These interests have been largely in.
creased by the consequences of the wal
with Spain and will be still further in
creased by the building Of the
isthmian canal. They are both mill
fory ond o~ann0noio Tbn ororts,r ~
us by Cuba of the naval stations above
alluded to Is of the utmost Importance
from a 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 has advanced
steadily in every way. She already
stands high among her sister republics
Of the New World. She is loyalty OBJ
serving her obligations to us; and she
is entitled to like treatment by us.
The treaty submitted to you for ap.
prevail secures to the United States eco
nomic advantages as great as those Civ.
ento Cuba. Not an American interest Is
sacrificed by the treaty; a large Cuban
market is secured to our producers. II
Is a market which lies at our doors
which is already large, which is capa-
BILE of great expansion, and which Ia
especially important to the develop.
ment of u export trade. 1t would be
indeed shortsighted for us to refuse to
take advantage of such opportunity,
and to force Cuba into making ar
rangements with other countries to our
disadvantage.
This reciprocity treaty stands by it.
self. 1t is demanded on considerations
Of broad national policy as well 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'o of it's
Importance from the board standpoint
of International policy, and because
economically it intimately concerns us
to develop and secure the rich Cuban
market for our farmers, artisans, mer-
chants and manufacturers. Finally, it
Is desirable as a guaranty of the good
faith of 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 the wisdom and integrity
of our administrators who saved her
in peace, and who started her so we'll
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 leg
tslation by the congress which, by the
terms of the treaty, Is necessary to rem
der it operative. A failure to enact
such legislation would come periously
heal a reputation Of the pledged fldth
OF the nation.
transmit herewith the treaty a.
amended by the senate aht ratified by
the Cuban government.
THEODORE ROOSEVELT.
White House. November 10. 1909.