721.23/1085: Telegram
The Minister in Colombia (Caffery) to the Secretary of State
[Received February 10—12:45 a.m.]
29. My 28, February 7, 3 p.m. Olaya today told me his position was more serious than he ever imagined it could be. Military have become restless; conservative operation [opposition?] potentially dangerous; he received yesterday violent telegram from Santos14 attacking him for accepting 60 days suggestion.
He will nevertheless stand by his acceptance of suggestion but emphasized that it must be exactly as in my telegram No. 25, February 4, 3 p.m. He can not accept features such as joint temporary cession by Colombia and Peru (American Embassy at Rio’s 14, February 7, 5 p.m.) or wording “in compensation”. Olaya declares he puts himself “in the hands of the Department” but not in those of Brazil whose attitude he terms ambiguous and uncertain.
Pressure for advance of Amazon expedition has become overwhelming; he has held it at Tonantins for almost 2 weeks but can no longer do so: the main force is now proceeding very slowly up Putumayo.
I consider the question of the boats moving to be a critical one for Olaya. If he is overthrown no matter who comes into office our interests here will certainly suffer.
- Eduardo Santos, Colombian delegate to the League of Nations.↩