The New York herald., 1921-03-13
COLOMBIA TREATY
OPPONENTS CHAFE
AT GAG ON SENATE
Members of Upper House
Demand That People Get
Facts on Pact.
SEE Il. R. REPUDIATED
Borah Says Ratification Is
Same as Condemning Him
and John Hay.
SEE L. r. REPUDIATED
WANT DEBATES PUBLIC
Public Sentiment Will Soon
Arouse 33 Votes Needed to
Stop 1t, They Say.
Special Despatch to THB NEW YORK HERALD
New York Herald Bureau.
Washington, ID. c., March IL.


New York Herald Bureau.
Washington, ID. G., March IL.
Opposition to ratification of the Co
lombian treaty is growing, not only In
the Senate but throughout the coun-
try. While the Senators opposed to
the treaty admit that a vote taken
now in the Senate would command the
necessary two-thirds, they believe an
aroused public sentiment may win over
to their side some Senators whose in
tention to support ratification is in
spired only by reluctance to oppose
President Harding and his close ad-
visers. They also hope to win over
some other Senator'S who have OPP
posed the treaty before. but are willing
to change their position.
The pressure Of public sentiment has
begun This is being manifested in
part by the tone of letters Senators are
receiving. Here is what one of these
letters, signed by nearly a score of
persons, had to say on the treaty:
I'VE look to you and to your col
leagues to prevent ratification of that
reprehensible Colombian treaty, where
by we are to be made the compounders
of a felony and traitors to our beloved
Theodore Roosevelt. We will give you
full support in your efforts to prevent
the ratification of that treaty. 1t is
an outrage"
Public Debate Proposed.
1t is letters like this which will in
crease the fervor of the fight for and
against discussion of the Colombian
the treaty believe their one chance now
is to have public debate, since that is
practically the only way in which the
average citizen can be made aware of
the provisions OF the treaty, which many
regard as unconscionable. II Is the only
way IN which the people may become
fully acquainted with the fact that in
1917 Senator's Lodge (Mass). McCum-
Der IN. d., Borah (Idaho), Brandegee
(Conn.) and Fall On. Nj sigped a ma
jority report against proposed ratifi-
cation OF the Colombian treaty. in which
the following statements We're made as
reasons for rejecting IL:
THE undersigned minority members
OF the Committee on Foreign Relations
agree most heartily with The declaration
contained in the majority report that
No good can come by recalling and dis
cussing old issues But we beg to re-
mind the majority that this proposed
treaty does exactly that thing.
What are we paying this $25,000,000
for except In settlement of old issues?
VIII not the American people ask this
question, and can we avoid the answer
that 1t is in payment of something that
grew out of past issue? What does
the United States receive for this vast
sum? Absolutely nothing, either cor
poreal or incorporeal. Colombia grants
nothing. parts with nothing which she
possesses"
The minority report says further that
the payment can only be construed as
an admission of wrong by this country.
which is strenuously denied. The re-
port insists that Colombia has 40 Just
or equitable claim against America
growing out OF the construction Of the
Panama Canal. Touching upon the
question further the report said:
1--WE cannot afford to purchase cor