The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1903-11-11
ESIDENT'S
MESSAGE TO
CONGRESS
TREATS ONLY ON CUBAN REcI-
PROcITY BETWEEN UNITED
STATES AND THAT COUNTRY
CHIEF EXECUTIVE URGES THE
CONGRESS TO RATIFY AGREE.
MENT FOR INTEREST OF
TRADE.
AS Well as for the Sake Of Our Pledged
National Honor to cuba.-Message
Short and to the Point.

10 the Senate and House of Rcprescn-
tatives:
] have convened 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 subsequent
ly by the Cuban government. ! deem
such legislation demanded, not only for
our own interest, but by our honor. We
cannot with propricty abandon the course
upon which we have 50 wisely embarked.
When the acceptance of the Platt
amendment, which required from Cuba
by the action of Congress of the United
States this government thereby definite
ly committeditself to the policy of treat
ing Cuba as occupying a unique posi-.
tion as regards this country. 1t was
provided that when tie Island became a
free and Independent republic she should
stand in such close relations with us as in
certain respects to come within our sys.
TEN of international policy; and it neccs-
sariIy follows that she must also, to
certain degree, become included within
the lines of.-om. economic policy. Sit
uatcd as Cubu is, it would not be posi-
bic for this country to permit the strag-
etic abuse Of the plan by any foreign
military ,powcr. II is for this reason
that certain limitations have been impos.
ed upon her financial policy and that na.
val stations have been conceded to her
by the United States. The negotiation
as to the details of these naval station
are on the eve Of completion. They are
50 situated as to prevent any idea that
there is the intention ever to use then
against Cuba, or otherwise than for the
protection OF Cuba from the assaults o.
foreign foes and for the better safe
guarding OF American interests in The
waters south Of US.
These interests have been largely in
creased by the consequence Of the wal
with Spain, and will be still further in
creased BY the building Of the lsthmia
tanal. They are both military and eco.
nomic The granting to us by Cuba O
ithe naval station abo0ealluded to IS d
the utmost Importance from a military
standpoint and is proof of The good faith
with which Cuba is treating us. Cuba
las made great progress since her indie
ibendcncc was established. She has adj
yanced steadily in every way. She q.
ready stands high among her sister re-
publics Of the new world. She is Loyalty
observing her obligations to us and She
is entitled to like treatment by US.
The treaty submitted to you for your
approval secures to the United State
economic advantages as great as those
given TO Cuba. Not an American inter
est is sacrificed. BY tile treaty 4 large
Cuban market is secured ito our produr
crs. ii is market which lies at on
doors, which is already large, which j.
capablc-Of great expansion and which is
especially important to the development
of our export trade. ii would be indeed
short sighted for us to refuse to take
advantage OF such opportunity and To
force Cuba into making arrangements.
with other countries to our disadvantage.
This reciprocity treaty stands by it
self. It is demanded on consideration 0;
broad national policy, as well as by our
economic interests. 1T will do no harm
to no industry. 1t will benefit many in.
dustrics. 1t is in the interest of our peo,
pie as a whole, both because of its i'm.
portance from The broad standpoint OF
international policy and because econom
ically it intimately concerns us to de-
velop and secure the rich Cuban market
for our farmers, artisans, merchants and
manufacturers. Finally it is desirable
as 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
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