of her agricultural and
industrial prosperity.

Yesterday, June 12, I received, by cable from the American minister in
Cuba, a most earnest appeal from President Palma for "legislative relief
before it is too late and (his) country financially ruined."

The granting of reciprocity with Cuba is a proposition which stands
entirely alone. The reasons for it far outweigh those for granting
reciprocity with any other nation, and are entirely consistent with
preserving intact the protective system under which this country has
thriven so marvelously. The present tariff law was designed to promote
the adoption of such a reciprocity treaty, and expressly provided for a
reduction not to exceed 20 per cent upon goods coming from a particular
country, leaving the tariff rates on the same articles unchanged as
regards all other countries. Objection has been made to the granting of
the reduction on the ground that the substantial benefit would not go
to the agricultural producer of sugar, but would inure to the American
sugar refiners. In my judgment provision can and should be made which
will guarantee us against this possibility, without having recourse to
a measure of doubtful policy, such as a bounty in the form of a rebate.

The question as to which if any of the different schedules of the
tariff ought most properly to be revised does not enter into this matter
in any way or shape. We are concerned with getting a friendly reciprocal
arrangement with Cuba. This arrangement applies to all the articles that
Cuba grows or produces. It is not in our power to determine what these
articles shall be, and any discussion of the tariff as it affects
special schedules or countries other than Cuba is wholly aside from the
subject matter to which I call your attention.

Some of our citizens oppose the lowering of the tariff on Cuban products
just as three years ago they opposed the admission of the Hawaiian
Islands lest free trade with them might ruin certain of our interests
here. In the actual event their fears proved baseless as regards Hawaii,
and their apprehensions as to the damage to any industry of our own
because of the proposed measure of reciprocity with Cuba seem to me
equally baseless. In my judgment no American industry will be hurt,
and many American industries will be benefited by the proposed action.
It is to our advantage as a nation that the growing Cuban market should
be controlled by American producers.

The eve