The Washington times., 1903-11-10
Text Devoted to Statement
OF Our Obligations to
RepubIic-Our Ward Has
Done Its Part-PrOmiSeS
Not Yet Kept.
MEMBERS LISTEN WITH
MARKED ATTENTION
Rules Committee AnnOunc-
ed by Speaker Cannon.
Representative Under
wood Not Named.

wood Not Named.
It was but few minutes after the
assembling OF Congress today that the
message OF the President was read in
both houses. 1t is devoted entirely to
Cuban reciprocity
When the Senate was called TO order
/ the divine blessing was invoked by
| the Rev Lawrence Hunt. OF the Wash
ington Heights Presbyterian Church
4 There were Few persons In the galleries.
As soon as the reading OF the minutes
Of the opening days session had been
! concluded, Senators Hoar and German,
members OF the joint committee to no
| tlfy the President that Congress had
assembled. took places iB the center
aisle and were recognized by the Chair
Mr. Hoar announced the result of their
visit 10 the White House. saying the
President would send a message IN
writing.
Immediately the Presidents message.
with other messages announcing recess
and original appointments. was present
ed by Assistant Secretary Barnes. A
message from the House OF Representa-
tives announcing the election OF Speaker
| Cannon and the Organization Of the
ordered the reading OF the Presidents
message on reciprocity with Cuba Print
ed copies were put upon the desk OF each
Senator.
A copy OF the reciprocity treaty was
] also transmitted by ehe President. and,
on motion Of Mr. Cuiiom. was referred
to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
The message was as follows:
To the Senate and House Of Represen-
tatives:
! 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 Cuban govern
ment
l deem 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
Platt amendment was required from
Cuba by the action OF the Congress OF
the United States. this Government
thereby definitely committed itself 10
the policy Of treating Cuba as occupy
ing unique position as regards this
country.
In Close Relations.
] II was pIONlueQ tls4L Wnen the lSlalQ
became a free and independent republic
she should stand in such close relations
with US as in certain respects 10 come
within our system of international poll
icy; and IL necessarily followed that she
must also to a certain degree become
included within the lines OF our eco
nomic policy. Situated as Cuba is il
would not be possible for this country
to permit the strategic abuse Of the
island by any foreign military power.
/ II IS for this reason that certain lini-
tations have been imposed upon her
financial p Jlicy. and that naval stations
have been conceded by her TO the
United States. The negotiations as 10
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 10 use them
against Cuba. or otherwise than for the
protection Of Cuba from the assaults
of foreign foes. and for the better safe
guarding OF American interests in the
waters south of US
Interests Increased.
These interests have been largely In
( creased by the consequ quences OF the war
with Spain. and viii be stiu further in
creased by the building OF the isthmian
| canal They are both military and eco
nomic The granting to Us BY Cuba OF
the naval stations above alluded to is
, OF the utmost Importance from a MILL
tary standpoint. and is proof OF the
good faith with which Cuba is treating
US.
Cuba has made great progress since
! her independence vas established. She
has advanced steadily in every way She
already stands high among her sister re-
/ publics OF the new world. She IS ioyaiiy
observing her obligations TO us. and she
is entitled TO ike treatment by US.
The treaty submitted to you for ap-
proval seoSres TO the United States
ecorOmic advantages as great as those
given TO Cuba. Not an American inter
est is sacrificed.
A Good Market
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 capable of
great expansion. and which Is especially
important 10 the DEVELOPMENT OF our ex-
port trade 1t would be indeed short
] sighted for US TO refuse TO take advan-
tage OF such an opportunity and TO force
Cuba into making arrangements with
| other countries 10 ouf disadvantages
This reciprocity treaty stands BY IL
self IL is demanded on considerations
of broad national policy as well as BY
our economic interest," 1t viii do harm
TO no industry 1t viii benefit many in