821.6363 Barco/420: Telegram
The Minister in Colombia (Caffery) to the Secretary of State
[Received 9 p.m.]
9. My 5, January 16, 6 p.m. Over a week ago Folsom telegraphed to his principals setting forth the situation and stating that the Government of Colombia believed with the royalty question settled an agreement on the rest of the proposed contract could be easily reached. President Olaya is anxious to expedite negotiations because he does not want to hold Congress in session later than February.
Rublee hopes that the Department can intimate to the Gulf the desirability of a quick decision.
The Minister of Industries still insists that Congress will never agree to a lower royalty than 6 percent.