Mr. Beaupré to Mr. Hay.
Bogotá, June 13, 1903.
Sir: Referring to the Department’s telegram of the 9th instant, elsewhere confirmed, I have the honor to advise you that I have had an interview with the minister for foreign affairs, in which I communicated to him the substance of my instructions, and also left with him a memorandum containing a substantial copy of said telegram.
[Page 151]The minister’s first question was as to what action by our Congress was contemplated—whether it meant action against Colombia, or the adoption of the Nicaragua route—to which I replied that I had received no other instructions than those contained in the telegram, and that I could not, therefore, aid him in construing it.
He said in substance, that it must be understood that no matter what the Government’s actions or desires may have been in the preliminary negotiations, a treaty could not be made without the approval of Congress; that this was true in the United States as well as Colombia; that the Colombian Congress was very soon to meet, and that upon it would devolve the consideration of all these matters.
I replied that his propositions were true enough in the abstract, but that in view of the facts, as outlined in the telegram, it seemed to me that it was incumbent upon the Government to acquaint the Congress with all the circumstances connected with the negotiations up to the signing of the convention, and to use all its influence to secure a ratification.
He said that he would lay the matter before the vice-president for his consideration.
I am, sir, your obedient servant,