Gomez Puts Veto On Amnesty Bill.

New York Times 100 years ago today, March 10, 1913:
Cuban Officials Say He Did It to Assure Wilson Administration of Cuba's Good Will.
THIS A VICTORY FOR BRYAN
Almost a Riot in Jail When Prisoners Get Word — Foreign Interests Are Greatly Pleased.
Special Cable to The New York Times.
    HAVANA, March 9.— President Gomez vetoed the amnesty bill to-day, although the fact may not be officially given out until Monday.
    The authorities are unwilling to make a statement regarding the President's action, except to say that it was taken solely to convince the Democratic Administration of Cuba's desire to please the United States and to live up to all her treaty obligations.
    President Gomez has also vetoed the bill granting a franchise for the Spanish gambling game jai alai and for horse racing. This action was taken solely to please Gen. Menocal, the incoming President, who had earnestly requested it.
    The local newspapers assert that Secretary Bryan threatened to break off all diplomatic relations with Cuba if the amnesty bill was not vetoed, and some of them comment bitterly on the shame heaped on Cuba. The American note did not, however, contain any threat whatsoever, but was confined solely to pointing out the dangers of the measure.
    The Cuban newspaper, La Noche, characterizes the affair as "a shameful Yankee imposition."
    El Dia says:
    "It appears that the rulers in Washington have decided to deny to Cuba the last vestige of independence."
    All the papers comment on the strange fact that the palace gave out the news that the amnesty bill had been signed, which it later denied, after receipt of a second note from the United States.
    The news that the amnesty bill would probably not become a law nearly caused mutiny in the Havana jail, where several hundred prisoners expected to be let out to-day.
    On the other hand, this news caused much relief in business circles, because the pardoning of so many prisoners meant almost the demoralization of business. Foreign interests are especially pleased, as they have many cases pending against persons whom they have had arrested for fraud and against whom they would have no redress if the bill had become law.