Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1903-11-14
MESSAGE TO CONGRESS
President Roosevelt Deals With
Cuban Reciprocity.
.CUBA'S POSITION is UNIQUE
Provided BY Treaty That The Island Should
Stand Commercially Close to
This Country.
CUBA'S POSITION IS UNIQUE

Washington, Nov. III. Except for the
announcement OF the personnel OF the
house committees on rules and mileage
neither house of congress transacted
any business yesterday after the read
of tue Presidents message.
This communication is quite brief,
dealing exclusively with the subject
of Cuban reciprocity, for the comule-
tion of which object the extra session
was called. Mr.. Roosevelt argues
that This country is committed to re-
lieye and assist Cuba in her industrial
development. which being accorded,
he says. will also be to the benefit OF
| this country. Tho message was refer.
red TO the committee on ways ard
means in the house and to the COM
mittee on foreign relations in tue
senate,
The message is as follows;
To the Senate and House OF Representa-
| / have convened the congress- that 1t
| may consider the legislation necessary to
/ put into operation the commercial treaty
/ with Cuba which WAS ratified by the sem
! ate II it's last session and subsequently, by
/ the Cuban government. / deem such legis-
/ lation demanded not only by our interest
! but by our honor. We cannot with pro-
prfety abandon the course upon which we
have wisely embarked. When the ao-
| ceptance OF the Platt amendment WAS re-
CURED from cuba by the action OF the
! ernment thereby definitely committed IT.
/ self to the policy of treating Cuba as oc-
cupying a unique position as regards this
/ country. IL nroVtHpH that when the
! island became "a free and Independent re-
/ public she should stand In such close rela-
tions with US as in certain respects To
come within our system OF interna tional
policy, and II necessarily followed that
1 she must also to a certain degree become
| included within the lines Of our economic
/ policy. Situated as Cuba is IL would not
4 be possible for this country 70 permit the
strategic abuse OF the island BY any for~
| 1t IL for this reason that certain limita-
tions have been imposed upon her finan-
| been conceded by her 10 the United states
| The negotiations as to the details of these
! naval stations are on the eve OF comple-
| ton. 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
I assaults of foreign foes and for the better
| safeguarding of American interests In the
These Interests have been largely in-
| creased by the consequences OF the war
/ with Spain and will be still further In
| creased by the building OF the isthmian
canal. They are both military and ego co
| monte. The granting TO us by Cuba OF the
| naval stations above alluded TO Is Of the
utmost importance from a military stand
| point 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 70
| every way. She already stands high
among her sister republics of the new
| world. She is Loyalty observing her obli-
| cations 10 us, and she Is entitled 10 Ike
The treaty submitted TO you for APP
| prevail secures To the United States eco
nomic advantages as great as those given
| to Cuba. Not an American interest is
| sacrificed. by the treaty q large Cuban
| market is secured TO our producers. IL ~
| a market which lies at our doors, which Is
| already large, which is capable of great
| expansion and which is especially impor-
| tant to the development OF our export
| trade. 1t would be indeed shortslghted
| for us to refuse to take advantage of such
i an opportunity and TO force Cuba into
making arrangements with other countries
This reciprocity treaty stands by itself.
| 1t is demanded on considerations OF broad
1 national policy as well as by our economic
! interest. 1t will do harm 70 no industry
| 1t will benefit many industries. AZ y n
| the interest Of our people as whole, poth
pocy and fG bs
/ cause economically II Intimately concerns
us TO develop and secure the rich cuban
market for our farmers artisans. mer-
chants and manufacturers Finally II IS
desirable as a guarantee of the good faith
| Of our nation toward her young sister re-
| public 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 ~ war. by
the memories Of the wisdom and integrity
| Of our administrators who served her IN
peace and who started her SO well on the
diflcult path of self government We
must help her onward and upward and In
helping her we shall help ourselves.
Negotiation of the treaty with Cuba and
it's ratification by the senate. They now
| with equal foEce support the legislation Dy
the congress which by the terms OF the
| treaty Is necessary 10 render 1t operative
A failure 10 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
Nu'a" THEODORE ROOSEVELT.
| White House. Nov. 10. l9O3