File No. 711.21/266.

The Secretary of State to the Colombian Minister.

Sir: I have honor to invite your attention to paragraph five17 of the proposed treaty between the United States and Colombia, which is now pending ratification in the Senate of the United States. It has been brought to my attention that this paragraph five might be interpreted to require the Panama Railroad, in order to transport the specified products of Colombia, to keep the railroad open and retain rolling-stock especially for this purpose, which under the ordinary circumstances of traffic it would not be required to do. As you are aware, Mr. Minister, it was not the intention of the two Governments to impose any burdens of this character on the Panama Railroad; and therefore, in order to prevent the delay which would arise from amending the treaty, I suggest that your Government agree to the interpretation of this paragraph five in the sense which I have indicated above. A note from you to this effect will be sufficient.

Accept [etc.]

W. J. Bryan
.
  1. Of Article II.