The Cuban Dilemma.

New York Times 100 years ago today, March 9, 1913:
    Of course President Wilson and Secretary Bryan will go very slowly in the Cuban matter. Perhaps President Gomez had not yet received Secretary Bryan's protest when he signed the Amnesty bill. There is no question that the bill is of a sweeping character, releasing from, prison criminals of all sorts, as well as political offenders, and preventing the trial of persons who have been under indictment. There is no question about the right of the United States Government to intervene, under the Platt amendment, which is not only incorporated in the Cuban-American Treaty but is a Part of the organic law of Cuba. But apart from this preposterous amnesty law, which, it seems, was primarily designed to protect from prosecution certain high officials who might be subject to indictment for embezzlement, the prospects of peace and prosperity in Cuba were never brighter.
    Gen. Menocal, who will take the oath of office as President May 20, is held in high esteem by men of all parties. He has integrity, courage, and ample knowledge of the needs of his country, and he is expected so to administer Cuban affairs as to put an end to factional strife. If within the few weeks preceding his inauguration it should become necessary for the United States to take possession of the Cuban Government once more, it would be a sad blow to the hopes of patriotic Cubans. There is room for suspicion that a deliberate attempt has been made, nevertheless, to compel intervention. We have no idea, however, that President Wilson will be forced into action by any trickery. He can urge that the act President Gomez has hastily signed be suspended pending a thorough inquiry into its scope and its purpose, j and, if necessary, that the act be repealed. Doubtless, if the present Cuban Administration can be made to understand that Washington will tolerate no hesitation in this matter, and will abide firmly by the terms of the treaty, there will be no need of intervention.