Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1921-04-20
TODAY
lLLPASSPACT
WITH COLOMBIA
Leaders Believe Have
Votes Enough to Rat
ify Measure
Opponents Admit Have Lost
Fight to Block Treaty In
volving Payment $25,000,0O0
to Central American Coun-
try - Has Been Pending
Many Months

Washington, April Rehabilitation
with votes to spare was the forecast
of administration leaders in the Sem
ate on the eve of tomorrow's vote on
the long pending Colombian treaty.
Opponents of ratification for the most
part tonight conceded defeat in their
efforts to bring about the rejection of
the $25OO0,0OO pact.
Polls taken by advocates of ratifi-
cation were said to show that approx
imately 40 Republicans and 80 Demo-
Gratis would vote in favor of the .trea-
ty. This would be a half dozen more
than the necessary two-thirds.
Discussion Of the treaty, which has
occupied the Senate to the exclusion
of practically all else since Congress
convened eight days ago, will close
at p. NJ. tomorrow under an agree
ment. Then will come votes on amend
ments, the first of which were offered
today by Senator Ransdell, Louisiana,
and the final vote.
The Ransdell amendments as put be-
fore the Senate provide for a $4,000
900 payment to Colombia for the loss
of Panama instead of the 100000
payment contemplated by the treaty;
for the loan of s25.000,000 to Colom-
bia by the United States; for cession
by Colombia of the Providence. st. An
drews and contiguous islands to the
United States; for construction of no
canal through Colombian territory
without the assent of the United
States, and for formation of an al
lance between Colombia and the
United States. Administration leaders
tonight predicted the defeat of the
Ransdell amendments.
Discussion of the treaty today I'M
der the agreement limiting speeches
to an hour brought forth a diversity
of views. Senators Shortridge of
California and McCumber of North
Dakota, Republicans, and Senators
Wolcott of Delaware, and RansdelI,
Senator Reed, Democrat. Missouri,
opposed acceptance of the pact.
Senator Shortridge, making his
maiden speech, declared ratification
would reflect no dishonor on the
, dead, will cast no discredit on the
living and will strengthen us in days
of peace and buttress us should dan
ger menace" He added that above
all it would END debate, elimination
of Colombia. he asserted, would be
vastly important should danger
come from across the Pacific"
! Ratification with his amendments
would do Substantial justice" Sen
atOr Ransdell held. while Senator
, McCumber, who opposed the treaty
in 1917, said he would vote for rati
flcation leaving it with the presiden,
in his own way to secure results that
will constitute the only considera
ton and be the only justification TO,
! the outlay of $4,000, 600"
| Senator Reed in expressing his Oh.
I position to the treaty declared ratifi
cation would amount to confession
of the ravishment of Colombia by the
| United States, a plea of guilty thai
we have been caught with the goods,
and would spell infinite difficulty ant
trouble for the United States in the
future" Referring to elimination o.
the expression of regret from tn,
treaty as originally negotiated, Sen.
ator Reed said: 1.-THE apology has
been withdrawn in words and is tc
! be paid in tax"