Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1903-11-19
psE.IDLErs MESSAGE TO CONGRESS-.

To the Senate and House OF Represent-
atives -
have convened the congress thatNf
ray consider the legislation necessary
Ia pnt into operation the commercial
treaty with Cuba. which was ratified
by the senate ut it's last session and
subsequently by the Cuban government.
deem such legislation dema nded not
only 70 our interest. Dut by our honor.
We cannot with proprioty abandon the
course upon which We have so wisely
embarked. when the acceptance OF the
flatt amendment was required from
cuba by the action Of the congress or
the United states. this government
thereby definitely committed Itself to
the policy OF treating Cuba az occupy
ing a unique position rega rds this
country. II was provided that when the
island become free and independent
republic she should stand IN such close
relations with as as in certain respects
10 come within our system OF interna-
tlonal policy, and III necessarily fol-
lowed that she must also to o certain
degree become included within the
lines or our economic policy Situated
as Cuba is, II would not be possible for
ms country To permit the sttateg1c
abuse Of the Island by any foreign mil.
itary power IL is for this reason that
certain limitations have been impressed
upon ner financial policy and that nav
~ stations have been conceded by her
to the United States
The negotiations az 10 the details OF
theSe naval stations are on the eve OF
completion. They arc 80 situated az to
prevent any idea that there is the In
tcntlon ever to use them against Cuba.
or otherwise thar for the protection OF
Cuba from the assaults OF foreign foes
ana Tor the better safeguarding OF
American interests in the waters south
or us.
These interests have been largely In
:reascd by the consequences of the war
with Spain and will be still further In
creased by the building 81 the lsthmian
canaL Ihey are both military ard eco
nonlc. The granting TO us by Cuba OF
the naval stations above alluded to is
oi the utmost Importance from a mill
.ary standpoint; and is proof OF the
good faith with which Cuba is treat
lis US. Cuba has made great progress
since her Independence was established
she has advanced steadily in every way
Size already stands high among her
SlStef republics OF the new world She
- ioyaliY observing her obligations to
US; and she is entitled TO like treat
l"tnt by US. The treaty submitted to
you for approval. secures 10 the United
states economic advantages as great as
those given 10 Cuba. Not marin In
tefest he sacrificed BY the treaty the
Gloan market is secured to our pro-
ducers. n market which lies at our
doors, which Is already large. which
- capable Of great expansion and
which is especially important TO the
ueVeIopinent OF our export trade. IL
would indeed be short 81 GIFTED for ua
10 refuse 10 take advantage OF such
an Opportunity and TO force Cuba into
II aking arrangements with other coun-
tfles 10 our disadvantages
This reciprocity treaty stands nv ~
sell. il Is demanded on confederation
OF broad national policy as well as by
our economic interests IL Will do
Marin TO no Industry. 1t will benefit
many industries. 1t is In the interest
oI our people as a whole. both because
o. MS Importance from the broad stand
point OF international policy and be-.
cause economically, IL intimately con-
Germs us to develop and secure the
i1cn CUBAN market for our farmers
ditlsans, merchants and manufacturers
4 inaIiy, 1t Is desirable az a guaranty
OF Inc good faith Of our nation towards
ntr young sister republic TO the south,
whose welfare must over be closely
buund with ours. We gave her liberty
We are Knit To her by the memories
NJ me blood Ano the courage Of our
soldiers who fought for her i'm war. by
lhe memories Of the wisdom ard In
'tsIltS OF our administrators who
stfNeu hcr IN peace and who started
her 50 well on the difficult path OF
Sell -govei nmcnt. We must help her on
NJ ana upward; and helping her, we
4nhH help ourselves.
ne foregoing considerations caused
re negotiations OF the treaty with On,
ia ana its ratification by the senate
, ueN now. with equal force supnort
ne legislation by the congress- Which
~ the terms of the treaty is peces.
'"ry TO render II operative A fsilure
!" enact such Legislation woul6 core
'crilously near a repudiation az fhe
'ledged faith Of the nation
lritnsnlf herewith tho treaty aa
'ihenCed ny the senate and ratified NV
he Cuban government
THEODORE ROOSEVEI-T
White House Nov. 10, 1908.