821.7961/8: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Minister in Colombia (Caffery)
16. Your 26, February 15, 6 p.m. The Department is much gratified at the prompt action you were able to secure in this matter. The changes mentioned are acceptable to the Department with two slight modifications. Since the United States is included without mention of the specific ports, it is suggested that the enumeration of the Colombian ports be likewise deleted. With regard to flying “across said zone following the route pointed out by the Governor thereof,” it is the real desire of the Government of Colombia to secure permission to fly between the Atlantic and Pacific ports of the Canal Zone, and the following wording is suggested in substitution of that proposed: After the word “Zone” to add “and to fly between the ports of the Canal Zone following the route designated by the Governor of the Panama Canal.”
This has been accepted by Minister Olaya who says that it is the real desire of the Government of Colombia. The Department hopes that Minister Olaya will receive prompt authorization to sign on these terms.
The Governor of the Panama Canal has designated a route between the two ports of the Canal Zone, but he has not designated any route across the Canal in a north-south direction, and the War Department does not desire to do so. The wording mentioned above was drawn up in conference with the War Plans Division of the War Department.