File No. 711.21/331

The Minister of Colombia to the Secretary of State

No. 35

Mr. Secretary: Following my conference with your excellency on the 7th instant, I informed my Government of the inaccuracy of the news published in the newspapers by which it was affirmed that the Senate’s Committee on Foreign Relations had acted in accord with the Executive Power when the committee modified Articles 1 and 3 of the Treaty of April 6, 1914.

I also informed my Government that your excellency’s Government had endeavored by all means possible to obtain full approval of said pact upon which the American Senate is to deliberate, which it had already begun to do.

I have been instructed by cable to state to your excellency that my Government duly appreciates and acknowledges all the interest taken by the Executive of the United States in favor of said pact. I also have special charge to inform your excellency that my Government would consider it a proof of particular deference to Colombia that His Excellency President Wilson be pleased to send to the Senate a message specially recommending the approval of the Treaty of April 6, 1914.

In any case it befits the Legislative Power of Colombia to consider the resolutions arrived at by the American Senate from whose high spirit of justice my Government expects an adequate resolution which will bring to an end forever the pending differences between Colombia and the United States.

Such has also been the subject of my constant efforts, in compliance with the mission that I have been fulfilling before the Government of your excellency, since I consider a supreme duty, at this most sad and perilous hour of the international life of the world, to endeavor to obtain the concert and solidarity of all the nations of America.

I take [etc.]

Julio Betancourt