New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-03-08
GOMEZ OPENLY FLOUTS
AMERICAN GOVERNMENT
President of Cuba Signs Am
nesty Act, Despite Protests by
Both Taft and Wilson.
SEVERE TRIAL FOR BRYAN
State Department Officials Fear
Release Of 5000 Convicts
Will Mean Serious
Trouble in Island.
From The Tribune Bureau I

From The Tribune Bureau1
Washington, March 7.-President Gomez
Of Cuba has virtually dehed the Wilson
administration by signing the amnesty
act, freeing thousands Of dangerous pris-
oners. and It is said tho diplomacy Of the
new Secretary Of State will be taxed to
the utmost II peaceful and prosperous
conditions In the Pearl Of the Antilles"
are TO be preserved.
Ii Is highly significant that President
Gomez and his lieutenants waited until
the installation Of the new administra-
ton before taking final action. although
only two days ago a request was made
by Secretary Bryan that the proposed
law be vetoed. Similar representations
have been made by the Taft administra-
ton, but, as predicted by The Tribune,
the Cuban President delayed the mem
acing move against President-elect Mario
Menocal until he could test the policy of
President Wilson.
Secretary Bryan declined to discuss the
situation. but State Department officials
who have kept In close touch with the
activities Of President Gomez and Orestes
Ferrara. Speaker of the Cuban House Of
mez. regard the defiance as An alarming
omen OF serious trouble.
Menace to tho Island.
The amnesty law IL looked on as not
only a menace to the administration of
President elect Menocal who will be in
augurated on May 20. but as jeopardizing
the whole Island, as 4, will Iberate more
than 5000 convicts, including more than
2.COo dangerous and lawless negroes.
Many OF the prisoners took part in the
rebellion last summer. IT is reported that
many murderers will receive the benefit
OF the law and be released.
Amnesty measures usually cover only
political offences, but this Cuban law is
the most sweeping Of its kind known TO
the State Department Some of the pro-
visions Of the law are reported as fol-
lows:
Article I.-Amnesty is granted:
For the crimes and faults committed
by or through the press, engravings. or
any other mechanical device of public1-
ton, or by word. provided they were pun
August, 1912.
Authorities who have been sentenced or
under process for crimes In connection
with insults from the press.
Those who have been sentenced for con-
tempt Of court.
For all crimes and faults committed In
connection with workmen's strikes.
Responsible parties up TO the 18th OF
August. 1912. sentenced for the crime of
melting TO rebellion.
Article II.-LAkewise amnesty is granted
for all crimes committed up TO the 12th
Of August 1872, and on which there was
action brought or sentence rendered up
to that date by officers or employees IN
the exercise OF their office. provided the
said employees or officers make good the
civil responsibility which they may have
incurred by reason Of criminal acts.
Article 1fi.-Amnesty also is granted
for the crime Of shooting at persons, and
also shooting and wounding. provided
that the party wounded was not inca
FACILITATED and without prejudice 10 civil
responsibility.
II can readily be seen that the law
will cause general Jail delivery and will
turn loose a dangerous element on the
country Il is feared the liberation of
such large number OF prisoners will
cause reign OF terror" In the closing
days Of the Gomez administration, n a
general revolution ~ not actually melted
by the laWlcss element
Havana. March 7.-President jose Miguel
Gomez to-day signed the amnesty bill. In
spite OF the energetic protest handed Il
the Cuban government yesterday by
United States Minister Arthur NJ. Beau
pre-. President Gomez in "A statement
issued after he had placed his signature
to the bill said that he felt compelled TO
comply with the wishes of the Cuban
people as expressed by the large majority
in the Cuban Congress favoring the bill,
and added that ne desired to leave further
discussion OF the matter 10 diplomatic
channels
In the mean time instructions will he
issued 10 proceed Immediately with the
release of all prisoners included within
the terms Of the amnesty bill.
The action Of President Gomez in sign
ing the law In the face Of the energetic
protest OF Mr.. Beaupre. made In accord
ance with instructions from Secretary OF
State Bryan. caused general surprise.
Some Of the evening newspapers extol
action OF the President as patriotic.
while others condemn II as most unwise
and likely to be productive Of serious re-
suits.
The American Legation tonight official
" was still ignorant of the President s
action, and another note was dispatched
TO the Cuban government The details of
this note have not been revealed. but the
missIve is known 10 be OF a most peremp-
tory character. II is said to point out
that the amnesty law is inconsistent with
the treaty between Cuba and the United
States and TO warn President Gomez that
Cuba will be held responsible for any
detriment to American interests arising
from the application OF the amnesty law.
This note also was sent under instruc-
lions from Secretary OF State Bryan on
receipt yesterday by him OF Slr. Bcaupre
report that President Gomez had ex-
pressed his intention TO sign the bill.
According to one evening newspaper
President Gomez affixed his signature 10
the amnesty law last night. with the ex-
mediation OF showing that he had done 90
before the receipt Of Mr.. Beaupre's note.