721.23/2419: Telegram
The Chargé in Colombia (Washington) to the Secretary of State
[Received 9:50 p.m.]
114. President López today issued decree declaring that the extraordinary sessions of Congress are prorogued for an indefinite period to enable it to finish its study of the Rio Pact. At the same time, he transmitted a message stating that although a majority of the Senate appears to consider the time accorded that body to arrive at an opinion to be insufficient he still hopes that in the interest of international harmony it may approve Pact before December 31st, the day specified in article 9 for the exchange of ratifications.
The Senate has held several secret sessions recently in one of which it is understood that the Foreign Minister reported the messages which had been received from foreign countries and several Conservative Senators vehemently protested against foreign intervention for the purpose of coercing the Colombian Senate. The alleged forceful intervention of Brazil and the United States at the request of the President of Perú was the subject of criticism in the public session of the House of Representatives yesterday. The President of the Senate Laureano Gómez suggested in that body day before yesterday that the Government of Perú be asked whether it agrees with the contention of the former Colombian delegates to Rio de Janeiro Conference that articles 2 and 7 of the Pact give the International Court the power to interpret only the Rio de Janeiro Pact and not the Salomon–Lozano Treaty. It is understood that the Government has been considering the suggestion.