And State Papers 645 



alive our sense of continuity with the Nation's 

 past. 



The reports of the several Executive Departments , 

 are submitted to the Congress with this communi- 

 cation. 



THEODORE ROOSEVELT. 

 WHITE HOUSE, 

 December 2, 



MESSAGE OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED 

 STATES COMMUNICATED TO THE TWO 

 HOUSES OF CONGRESS AT THE BEGIN- 

 NING OF THE FIRST SESSION OF THE 

 FIFTY-EIGHTH CONGRESS 



To the Senate and House of Representatives: 



I have convened the Congress that it may con- 

 sider the legislation necessary to put into operation 

 the commercial treaty with Cuba, which was ratified 

 by the Senate at its last session, and subsequently 

 by the Cuban Government. I deem such legislation 

 demanded not only by our interest but by our honor. 

 We can not with propriety abandon the course upon 

 which we have so wisely embarked. When the ac- 

 ceptance of the Platt Amendment was required from 

 Cuba by the action of the Congress of the United 

 States, this Government thereby definitely commit- 

 ted 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 in- 

 dependent republic she should stand in such close 



