611.2131/283: Telegram

The Chargé in Colombia (Washington) to the Secretary of State

11. My telegram No. 10, January 17, 6 p.m. The Secretary of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs informed me this morning that he had received and forwarded to the President a report from the Minister of Finance on the subject of the United States Government’s new proposals for a commercial treaty with Colombia. He implied that the report had been written by Dr. Hernández. He would not disclose the details of this report but declared that in the opinion of the Finance Minister the new proposals disregard many matters which were discussed thoroughly and agreed upon by the Colombian and [Page 432] American delegates when they negotiated the treaty which was signed in December 1933; that the Finance Minister considers the changes very fundamental and therefore recommends fresh negotiations; that the Act of June 12, 1934,7 appears to the Finance Minister to grant to the President of the United States the power to include a greater part of the concessions granted in the original treaty than have been included in the revised proposals. The Secretary, who has talked with Hernández and appears to be reiterating the latter’s viewpoint, informs me that the American proposals will necessitate a change in the Colombian Government’s policy regarding commercial treaties now being negotiated with other countries as they have all been based upon the original American treaty. He also informs me that if the President should veto the recommendations of the Finance Minister and approve the revised proposals of the American Government in principle, he believes there would be difficulty in obtaining ratification of the new treaty by the Colombian Congress because the Foreign Relations Committee of the Senate approved the original treaty and consented to negotiate a new one on the understanding that the changes to be requested by the United States would be only nominal.

The matter now rests with President López, who is expected to return to the city today from his country home and probably has as yet had little opportunity for studying the report of the Minister of Finance. If I could see the President I might be able to influence his decision and prevent an unfavorable reply being given to the American proposals. However, it now appears to me that the principal obstacle ahead is the Senate Committee which will undoubtedly summon Dr. Hernández to render his opinion. Should the President decide to accept the proposals in principle there would remain the doubt as to whether his attitude would influence the decision of the Committee and the vote of the Senate which has recently shown a disposition to oppose him. Due to the President’s policy of avoiding diplomats I would have no opportunity of seeing him unless I were instructed to request an audience with him for the purpose of conveying some message from the United States Government.

Washington
  1. 48 Stat. 943.