Arizona republican., 1913-08-04
The Question of the Inn munity of the Members of Congress from the Operation of Laws of Republic.
PRECTPTTATFD BY
 REGENT MURDER
It Has Developed That Serious Charges Are Laid Against More Than One fourth the Members of Congress.
ASSOCIATED PRESS DISPATCH

ASSOCIATED PRESS D1sPATcH1 HAVANA, August 3.-The question of the immunity of members of the Cuban congress from the laws of the .ands, so tragically brought into prominence by the Killing, July :. os General Riva. chief of the national police. by General Ernesto Asbert. Senator Morales and Representative Arias, is arousing the deepest interest all over the island. President Meho- cal has called a special session of congress to consider the great ques- ton at issue-a matter Of far great CT importance than the bringing to trial of the murderers of General Riva whether or not the present conditions under which the life Of any one of the two million and odd citizens of Cuba is at the mercy or any member of the privileged class of one hundred and sixteen men com posing the two houses of the na- tional legislature.
 The special session will be asked to adopt law of procedure which shall define the article of the con stitution conferring immunity in manner adequate to the proper func- tioning of a republican regime. What congress will do no one can say, but the opinion is almost universal that any attempt to change the law will be attended with great confusion and endless difficulties
 If no other reason existed, the final argument of self defence would. it it believed. compel congress to battle , +1,a 1ce- ton of its rights of immunity. T. these were surrendered. a notable proportion of the membership would at once become liable to arrest and prosecution. in many instances on grave criminal charges. Out of total of ninetY-two representatives charges of one kind or another are reported to be pending against twen- ty-fiVe. The proportion of accused in the senate is not so high. In all these cases the consent of congress to permit prosecution has been de- manded and refused. Among the per sons thus shielded by congressional immunity are one representative against whom charges have been brought by q young girl; several charged with seduction. and one mem Der accused of falsifying a public document. Since the Inauguration of the first Cuban congress the cloak Of immunity has been often in demand. and q large number of congressman have found shelter under it's ample folds
 Only once has congress permitted the prosecution of one of it's mem bers. The representative so distin- guished was accused several years ago of homicide. It was only at his own urgent request, after explaining that he had a perfect case of self defense and was assured of aCquit- tal. that congress granted permission to prosecute He was, however, con victed and sentenced to a long term, but was pardoned by the president
 Another reform which President Menocal is most anxious to brin@ about is the abolition of the nation al custom of carrying concealed weapons. which is now well-nigh uni versal All pistol licenses have been revoked time and time again, only to be re-issued. until the ranks of the regularly licensed "gunmen' were recruited to their customary strength But these constitute only a small portion of the Cubans who hahitually go armed, and would as soon think of leaving home without revolver and knife as without their hats. It is now proposed to prohibit the carry ing of weapons under the Severe7t renalties. but there is little reason to hope that congress can be induced y1H, low