The Washington herald., 1914-06-18
BRYAN READY To
ADVOCATE PACT.
oosrIsUED FROM PAGE ONE.

for the enemy This. they declare.
through unsympathetic treatment can
be turned to account by Republican
|spelibinders this fall. Mexico. Panama
Canal. Nicaragua, the japanese land
|qusstion-aIl of these they may be reused
to haunt the Democrats. With the
Panama Canal ghost only recently laid.
Democrats are not anxious for return
Of the specter in the shape Of the Co
iombian treaty and controversy.
President Wilson and Secretary Bryan
are In perfect sympathy in 20 far ~ the
principle and high moral plano involved
IN the Colombian treaty II concerned.
They both see In Il the essence OF the
policy OF friendliness they wish to ex-
tend to Latin America. Secretary Bryan.
1t ID believed. goes farther than his chief.
however. in desiring to open up the entire
subject before the fall elections.
At present there appears little or no
chance for favorable action on the
treaty by the Senate. The pact must be
ratified by two-thirds vote-two-thirds
OF q quorum-of the Senate. At present
virtually all the Republicans are aligned
against II as well as q number OF the
Democrats. No alignment at this stage
of the game, however. can be given
much weight, except as to show the ef-
feet Of political considerations on the
merits Of the question.
Expression of Regret.
The Colombian treaty already has been
published from abroad. The expression
OF regret Is contained in Article ]. 1t Ii
a. follows:
THE government Of the United States
OF America, wishing to put at rest AL
controversies and differences with the re-
public of Colombia. arising out OF the
events from which the present situation
on the isthmus resulted, expresses. In its
own name and In the name Of the people
of the United States. sincere regret thar
anything should have occurred to inter-
rupt or to mar the relations or cordial
friendship that have 80 long subsisted be-
tween the two nations.
The government OF the republic Of Co.
lombia, in its own name and In the name
of the Colombian people. accepts the dec
laration in the full assurance that every
obstacle to the full restoration Of COM
plete harmony between the two countries
will thus disappear"
Article III contains the agreement for
the payment of the indemnity. as follows:
"The United States of America agrees
to pay to the republic Of Colombia within
six months after the exchange OF the
ratifications Of the present treaty. the
sum of s25.ooo.ooo. gold, United States
money"
Calls "a q Heritage.
Questioned as to the expression of re-
gret" in the treaty. Mr.. Bryan declared
yesterday that Il was "a heritage from
the last administration" He said Mr.
Dubois, our minister to Colombia had
prepared a memorandum in substance
the same as this expression of regret, ana
that this memorandum had been ap-
proved by President Taft and Secretary
Of State Knox.
Discussing the Nicaraguan treaty.
which gives to the United States valu-
able concessions and a right Of way for
an interoceanic canal and establishes a
virtual rrotectorate over the Central
American country. in return for 5000
900, under an application Of the Platt
amendment. Mr.. Bryan was questioned
sharply by Senator William Alden Smith.
Of Michigan. Mr. Smith Tuesday intro
duced a resolution calling for an inves-
tigation Of the circumstances surround
ing the Nicarauguan loan. Senator Smith
was desirous OF learning more about this
and also about certain reports concern
ing the friendship of Boaz Long. minis
ter designate to Nicaragua, with the
United Fruit Company.
Charles A. Douglas, an attorney, repre-
senting the Nicaraguan government, was
introduced by Secretary Bryan, but Mr..
Douglas spent most Of his time explain.
ing to the committee his connections with
his clients. Both he and Mr.. Bryan will
be before the committee again today.