Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1919-07-30
EXECUTIVE SESSION
GOES into DISCARD
Century-Old Senate Custom Of
Considering Treaties in Secret
to Be Broken.
COLOMBIAN PACT UP MONDAY
Proposed Agreement Calls for
Payment by United States of
S25,0OO,OOO in Installments.
fRy Associated Press.l


WASHINGTON. July 29.-The CEN
tury-old Senate custom of considering
treaties in secret session will be
broken next Monday when the long
pending Colombian treaty Is taken up.
This decision was reached today by
unanimous consent OF the Senate mem
bcrsh!p.
The agreement for open sessions. re-
garded possibly AS forecasting publi,.
consideration of the peace treaty the
Franco american agreement and subse-
Guent treaties. followed unanimous ap-
proval by the Foreign Relations Com :
nittec of the Colombia convention call =
ing for payment TO that nation OF s25,-
100000 as claims growing out of the
partition OF Panama. Before approv-
ing the treaty. however, the committee
struck out the original clause express
ing the regret" OF the United States
TO Colombia for action in the canal
proceedings.
Unanimous Consent Given.
When the Colombia treaty was sub
mitted formally TO the Senate in cXecu-
tive session late today. Senator Fall,
New Mexico, Republican member Of the
Foreign Relations Committee. moved
that the Senate consider the conven-
tion in open session. Republican Leader
Lodge asked unanimous consent for an
order opening the Senatc's doors when
the treaty is called up next Monday.
out objection. although the decision set
aside custom almost exclusively fol-
lowed since organization Of the gov
ernmcnt. Opposition to the treaty Is
expected but ratification is deemed a
certainty, and IL is understood. the re-
vlscd treaty also is assured OF Colom-
bias approval
An attempt was made in the Foreign
Relations Committee today to reduce
the sum payable 10 Colombia from
s25,OQo.eoo TO sl5.oo0.oo0. The proposal
was defeated IL TO =.
few minor changes were made in
the treaty and clause added in the
resolution OF ratification providing that
in event OF war between Colombia and
be allowed Panama Canal transit
without payment Of duties and tolls.
Removing Misunderstanding.
After setting forth that the United
States and Colombia desired TO remove
all the Observation-Disclosures growing out
November. 1903 (when Panama seeded
from Colombia)." and to restore the
cordial friendshln that formerly char
two coun tries" the treaty in article ]
provides:
Colombia shall be at liberty at all
times 10 transport through the Panama
Canal it's troops. materials of war and
ships of war without paying any
charges to the United States.
G., Article provides that the United
states snaii pay AT washington to Co
lombia s5.ooo,0o0 in gold within six
months after ratification of the treaty
and s5.O00,000 in gold annually there
after until the full sum of SIS. .0O0, 900
damages has been paid.
To Recognize Panama.
Under article 3 Colombia agrees to
recognize the republic Of Panama and
the United States agrees 10 take the
necessary steps in order TO obtain from
the government of Panama the dispatch
TF Iltl Il, - "a
and conclude with Colombia treaty
OF peace and friendship
Article provides that the treaty be-
tween the United States and Colombia
Shall be approved and ratified and the
ratiiications exchanged in the Colon
lI,nnianueN ON Snnnnd pannl