Gomez's Action Approved.

New York Times 100 years ago today, March 8, 1913:
Havana Press Says He Upholds, Country's Dignity in Signing Bill.
Special Cable to The New York Times.
    HAVANA, March 7.— President Gomez, despite the American protest, signed to-day the bill granting an amnesty to political prisoners and criminals.
    The newspapers of Cuba, including El Comercio, editorially praise Gomez's prompt action and declare that he upheld the country's dignity. El Comercio comments sarcastically on the new Democratic Administration and Secretary Bryan.
    These papers, however, though edited by Congressmen, represent Spanish rather than Cuban opinion. The Cuban newspapers proper have not yet commented on the signing of the bill.

    HAVANA. March 7.— President Gomez, in a statement issued after he had signed the amnesty 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 measure, and that he desired to leave further discussion of the matter to diplomatic channels.
    In the meantime instructions will be issued to proceed immediately with the release of all prisoners included within the terms of the amnesty bill.
    The American Legation was to-night officially 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 to be of a most peremptory character. It is said to point out that the amnesty 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 was also sent under instructions from Secretary of State Bryan, on receipt yesterday by him of Mr. Beaupre's report that President Gomez had expressed his intention to sign the bill.
    According to one evening newspaper President Gomez affixed his signature to the amnesty law with the expectation of showing that he had done so before the receipt of Mr. Beaupre's note.