e, because of the American refusal to grant reciprocity, Cuba
suffered acute economic depression approximating disaster. The insular
treasury had scarcely enough money with which to pay current expenses,
and the government was driven to the imposition of burden-some taxes
upon many articles to save itself from bankruptcy.

The reciprocity treaty was finally ratified by the American Senate on
March 29, 1903. But it did not at once go into effect. There was needed
Congressional legislation to make it effective, and this was not
supplied. After discreditable delay on the part of the lawmakers,
President Roosevelt called Congress together in special session on
November 10, 1903, for the express purpose of having it take the needed
action for putting the treaty into operation. "I deem," he said, "such
legislation demanded not only by our interest but by our honor.... 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 to the policy of treating Cuba as occupying
a unique position as regards this country. It was provided that when the
island became a free and independent republic she should stand in such
close relations with us as in certain respects to come within our system
of international policy; and it necessarily followed that she must also
to a certain degree become included within the lines of our economic
policy.... We gave her liberty. We are knit to her by the memories of
the blood and courage of our soldiers who fought for her in war; by the
memory of the wisdom and integrity of our administrators who served her
in peace and who started so well on the difficult path of
self-government. We must help her onward and upward; and in helping her
we shall help ourselves.... A failure to enact such legislation would
come perilously near a repudiation of the pledged faith of the nation."

Thus at last through such gallant urging a measure of justice was
secured for Cuba. The unwillingness and delay of Congress formed the
most discreditable chapter of the history of America's dealings with
Cuba. But the real attitude, the real purpose, the real spirit of the
United States toward Cuba, were unmistakably set forth not in the
paltering and tergiversation of a sordid Congress, but in the lofty and
inspiring words of the great American President.

CHAPTER XIV

The result of the earnest and efficient wor