Hailed As A Bryan Victory.

New York Times 100 years ago today, March 10, 1913:
The Secretary Protested to Cuba the Day He Took Office.
Special to The New York Times.
    WASHINGTON, March 9.— William Jennings Bryan has won his first diplomatic victory as Secretary of State. When President Gomez of Cuba vetoed the objectionable Amnesty bill he yielded to Secretary Bryan, who had told the Cuban Government that the bill was very distasteful to the United States.
    Secretary Bryan sent a vigorous protest against the bill by telegraph on last Wednesday, the day he took the oath of office. His statement showed that this Government could not tolerate the proposed liberation of hundreds of criminals without any ether reason than the desire of President Gomez and his supporters. What this Government objected to particularly was the provision of the bill that would have allowed Gomez to pardon before trial persons in the Government service and others whom, according to the report of the incoming President, Gen. Menocal, wants to prosecute for wholesale grafting and corruption. Charges that these alleged grafters had looted the Cuban Treasury interested the United States, which has a degree of supervisory power over Cuban finances.
    In the face of this protest from Bryan announcement was made at Havana that President Gomez had approved the Amnesty bill. It is supposed that Secretary Bryan renewed his protest in even more vigorous terms, and caused President Gomez to change his reported approval to a veto.
    Gen. Menocal, a comparatively young man, who was educated at Cornell, will be inaugurated President of Cuba on May 20. He was elected in the face of determined opposition by Gomez. Gen. Menocal has charged that widespread Corruption has prevailed under the Gomez Administration, and has promised to bring every grafter to book.
    It is alleged that Government concessions, involving millions of dollars, have been given out by corrupt officials, and that the Cuban Treasury has benefited little.
    The Amnesty act would have enabled the retiring Administration to grant immunity from punishment to the grafters. The way now seems to be clear for their prosecution by the Menocal Administration.