The Triumphant Life of Theodore Roosevelt edited by J. Martin Miller

THROUGH ONE ADMINISTRATION 295
spoken in its friendship for labor; promised the reorganization
of the army, urged the strengthening of the navy, and above
all voiced the American desire for peace with all nations.
ENTERTAINS PRINCE HENRY
Early in 1902 President Roosevelt was called upon by inter-
national courtesy to entertain as the nation's guest Prince
Henry of Prussia, brother of the emperor of Germany, who
visited the United States, accompanied by a number of the
most distinguished statesmen, admirals, and generals. The
ostensible purpose of Prince Henry's visit was to be present at
the launching of the kaiser's American-built yacht Meteor.
The real reason, however, was to cement the bonds of friend-
ship between the United States and the German empire.
CUBAN RECIPROCITY BILL
In his first message to Congress President Roosevelt
urged the passage of the Cuban reciprocity bill. The House
passed the bill on April 18, 1902, but it failed to secure the
approval of the Senate. Its failure in the Senate marked the
beginning of a friendly contest between Congress and the
President, in which the President, who appealed to the people,
eventually won.
On May 20, 1902, President Roosevelt handed over to a
Cuban president and a Cuban congress the government of the
Cuban republic. From January i, 1898, until May 20, 1902,
Cuba had been under the military rule of the United States.
The island wrested from Spain by the American army and
navy was destined by Congress under the Teller resolution,
passed in April, 1897, to become a republic free and independ-
ent among all the nations of the earth. When Spanish author-
ity ended on the island, of government there was none.