File No. 837.13/6.

The American Minister to the Secretary of State.

[Telegram—Paraphrase.]

Article 2 of amnesty bill as passed is not as reported in my March 4. 12 noon, but reads as follows:

Amnesty is granted for all crimes and misdemeanors committed by public functionaries or employees in the exercise of or in connection with their duties, in respect of which criminal proceedings have been instituted or judgment rendered.

This will result in granting immunity to a large number of public officials against whom graft and embezzlement charges are pending depriving injured parties from securing legal redress.

I shall request President Gomez to defer signature of bill until I can ascertain views of the Department.

Beaupré.