837.00/3371
The Chargé in Cuba (Reed) to the Secretary of State
[Received October 17.]
Sir: I have the honor to report that a presidential decree was signed yesterday providing that the suspended constitutional guarantees shall be restored from October 15 to November 1, 1932, inclusive, that is to say, during the fortnight preceding the elections [Page 560] scheduled to occur on the latter date. After November 1 the constitutional guarantees will again be suspended.
Authorization for this action was given the executive by Article 4 of the Law of June 23, 1932 (see despatch No. 1230 of June 28, 1932.27) It is not believed that the temporary reestablishment of the guarantees will exert any appreciable effect on the political situation. It is not the intention of the Government to permit political meetings or the free expression of opinions. However, it would appear that for the period stipulated in the decree the civil courts will recover their jurisdiction over offenses against the Explosives Law and certain other crimes committed by civilians.
Respectfully yours,