File No. 837.13/2.
The American Minister to the Secretary of State.
Habana, December 19, 1912.
Sir: I have the honor to inclose herewith the text, in copy and translation, of an amnesty bill1 passed by the House of Representatives on [Page 355] the 16th instant.* * * This bill, in addition to granting amnesty to all those participating in the recent negro uprising, includes in its terms persons guilty of certain minor offenses and (article 2) all public officials or employees guilty of crimes committed before August 12, 1912, in regard to which proceedings were instituted or conviction was had prior to that date. It is understood that this provision will affect only a few convicted officials whom the Executive can not pardon, as well as two or three against whom charges are pending.
The granting of an amnesty to the negro rebels would seem to be an unwise measure in view of the premium which it apparently places upon armed revolt, but there are so many negroes in jail that the Government is placed at considerable expense for their maintenance.
I have [etc.]
- Not printed.↩