File No. 837.00/1166
The Secretary of State to Minister Gonzales
Washington, March 3, 1917—9 p.m.
Tour March 2, 6 p.m. Your cable represents President Menocal as being opposed to amnesty to rebelling officers and states that effect of such amnesty would be ruin of army as all self-respecting officers would resign.
Your cable is silent as to attitude of Menocal towards amnesty to others than officers. The immediate question is not amnesty but right of those in complicity with present insurrection to cast their votes in partial elections to be held under decree of Supreme Court. Obviously there can be no satisfactory partial elections held if electoral rights of voters in the precincts where such partial elections are denied to voters duly and properly registered therein. Ascertain views of President Menocal in this regard and as to other safeguards which should surround these partial elections which can be properly embodied in a proclamation re elections.
[Page 376]This Government believes that the most effective means which can be employed in bringing about a triumph of Constitutional Government in Cuba are those which have been suggested above.