The Chanute times. [volume] (Chanute, Kan.) 1897-1913, 1903-11-20
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE
To Congress in Extraordinary Session
On Cuban Treaty.

President Roosevelt delivered the
following message to congress:
'iTo the Senate and House of Repre-
sentatives:
IL have convened the congress that
| it ymay consider the legislation neces-
saro to put into operation the com
| mercial treaty with Gu u, winch was
| atified by the senate at its last session
| and subsequently, by the Cuban govern
| ment | deem such legislation de-
manded not only by our interests put
| by our honor. We cannot with pro
| priety abandon tho cou Sc upon which
we have so wisely embarked. Nhen
the occupying unique position as re-
CARDS required from Cuba by the action
of congress of the United states, this
government thereby definitely com
mitted itself to the polio of treating
Luba as occupying d unique position
as regards this country 1t was pro-
vided that when the island became a
free and independent republic The
should stand in such close relations
with us in certain respects to come
wi hin our system of international
policy and it necessarily followed that
she must also to certain degree be-
come includ d within the lines of our
economic policy. Situated as Cuba is
it would not be possible for this coun-
try to permit the strategic abuse OF the
plan by any foreign military power.
1t is for. this reason that certain mill
tary limitation, have been imposed
upon her financial policy and that
naval stations have been conceded by
her to the United states. The nego-
tiations as to the details of these
naval stations are on the eve OF com
pletion They are so situated as to
prevent any idea that there is the in
tention ever to use them against Cuba
or othcrw Sc than for the pro ection of
Cuba from the assaults of foreign foes,
and for the better safeguarding OF
American interests in the waters south.
"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 mill
tary and economic. The granting 10
us by Cuba of the naval stations above
alluded to is of the utmost Importance
from u mil tary standpoint and is proof
of the good faith with which Cuba is
treating us. Cubl Inns 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 CRYING her
like treatment by us.
1.-THE treaty submitted to you for APP
prevail secured to the United Suites
economic advantages as great as those
given to Cuba Not an American in
terest is sacrificed by the treaty, a
large Cuban market S secured to- our
producers. 1t is market which is es-
pecially important to the development
of our export trade. 1t would be in
deed shortsighted for us to refuse to
take advantage of such to force Cuba
into making arrangements with other
countries to our dis dvantage.
This reciprocity treaty stands by
itself. 1t is demanded on considera
ton of broad international policy as
wei as by our economic interest. 1t
will do harm to no industry. II will
benefit many industries. 1t is in the
interest of our people a. whole, both
because of its imp rtance from the
broad standpoint of international pol
lev and because economically it init
IN tely concerns us to develop and Sc
cure the rich Cuban market for our
farmers, artisans, merchants and man
ufacturers. + nally it is desirable as
a guarantee of the good faith of our
nation towards her young sister repub-
lie to the south, whose welfare must
rather be osely bound with ours. We
rave 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 admins
traitors who saved 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 ourselves.
1.-The foregoing considerations
caused the negotiation of he treaty
with Cuba and its 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 legis alton would
come perilouslv near reputation OF
of the pledged faith of the nation.
81 transmit herewith the treaty as
amended by the senate and ratified by
the Cuban government
THEODORE ROOSEVELT"