Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1914-06-25
COLOMBIA TREATY
INQUIRY STARTED
BY BLABBING GIRL

June 22.-lt is under
stood here that the administration
leaders have consented to the plan for
a thorough investigation of the facts
concerning the proposed treaty with
Colombia under which this country
would pay $4,000, 900 indemnity for al
ieged damages sustained by that u
try incident to the requirement of the
Panama canal zone. 1t is common talk
IN Washington that much of the $685.
600, 900 which it is proposed to give
colombia will be diverted to lobbyists
laWyers in return for their services
In putting the treaty through the SEN
ate.
There Is an element of in
the revelations concerning the existence
or the alleged lobby fund. The daugh-
Ter OF Hannis Taylor, a Washington
lawyer, who is said to have been
promised 1000, 900 for his services,
made a chance remark about the fam
lily being ION the street" when the CO.
lombian treaty was ratified. Newspa-
per men got X to this slight ciew
and promptly followed it up. Taylor
denies that the fee he has been promis-
ed would amount to the figure above
mentioned,
Plan to "Save" Face.
Under h circumstances the admin
1stratlon. in order ito save its face" has
been compelled to resort to the one
method usually observed-investiga-
ton.
If h investigation should convince
the country that the United States
wronged Colombia. then the admins
tratlon can press the treaty, obtain its
ratification and thereby obtain vindi-
cation for the president and Secretary
Bryan.
If the investigation should disclose
that the conduct of President Roose-
welt was justifiable the administration
car let the matter quietly die and fail
to urge ratification.
Smith Conceives Idea.
Senator Hoke Smith, of Georgia,
conceived the idea of an investigation.
He proposes the work shall be done by
a subcommittee of the foreign rela-
tons committee of the Senate. There
is not a maj on that committee who
has not made up his mind for or
against the treaty. Seven of the nine
democrats will swallow anything the
administration proposes. Two, Clarke,
of Arkansas. n Smith. of Arizona,
are outspoken against the treaty. The
seven republicans agree with Clarke
and Smith that the administration has
perpetrated a great wrong upon the
American people in even signing a con-
vent1on of the character of that APP
proved by the president and Mr.. Bryan.
Seek Ulterior Motives.
Some senators, notably Borah of Ida
no. who is highly indignant yer the
attempt to drag the honor of the coun-
try through the mire, wants to ascer-
tain the identity of the interests be-
hind the negotiations, and why Hannis
Taylor. former minister to Spain, has
been so active; why James r. Du Bois,
former minister to Colombia, has been
lecturing so energetically in behalf of
Colombia. They desire to know the size
of the fee Taylor has been promised
(reports fix it at $1,000, 000). The con-
tract Taylor showed to the committee
states that a fee mutually satisfac-
tory" is to be paid him; but senators
say there must be another contract fix
Ing the fee and they want it IL it is in
existence.
Various interests will be benefited
by the restoration of friendly relations
with Colombia through the expression
of regret n the payment of $25, 600, :
900 gold.
Among these are the United Fruit
company, the octopus of the countries
In and bordering upon the Caribbean
sea. and certain concessionaries, par
ticularly those interested in the oil
fields. To what extent, if any big oil
companies in the United States are ex-
Iploiting these fields has not developed,
but such action is well worth their while
In view of the known richness of Co
lombia in this product.