The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-04-15
COLOMBIAN PACT IS ATTACKED AND
 WARMLY DEFENDED
Payment of 25 Millions Advo- cated as Measure of Jus tlce and Assailed as
 Without Justification
By Associated Press

~,~ a
 Washington, April 14.-Payment to Colombia of $25,00O, 900 as provided in the Colombian treaty was advocated m the Senate today as a measure of Justice and moral obligation, and at tackled as without Justification.
 Senator Pomerene of Ohio, opening the right for ratification from the dem ocrat side. declared justice demanded that Colombia be compensated for the loss Of Panama through a course of events in which the participation by the United States, he asserted. could not be defended either in the sight of God or of man.
 Ratification of the pact was urged by senator Knox, republican, Pennsyl- vanla, on the other hand, because the united states was morally bound to compensate Colombia, not for what she lost but for what We gained" Taking issue with Senator Pomerene. the Pennsylvania senator asserted tha the course of the United States in the events attending the revolt of Pan Amerlca squared to our, rights and autles and to the governing rules and principles of International law" .
 BORAH FIGHTS RATIFICATION Deeiaring justification of the pact would put the brand of shame" on theodore Roosevelt, Senator Borah, re- publican, Idaho, in concluding the de- bate for the day, declared the nov ing force" behind Panama's revolt rom Colombia was not Theodore Roosevelt, John Hay or the United States government but the people of Panama" who, he said despite a Co., lombian dictatorship, were striving to exercise the independence they declared In 1861. Discussion of the pact on the republican side of the Senate, Senator Borah said, had shown "an almost com plete difference of opinion," as to tie reasons for ratification.
 Tt Is difficult for me to understand how We can purchase the friendship of any nation Senator Borah con tlnued in referring to the argument ad- vanced that ratification of the treaty would bring about cordial relations be- tween the United States and Colombia.
 such action would be an insult to any self-respecting nation."
 MT Borah suggested if the United states was seeking 70 obtain Coiom -rias friendship through the $25. .0OO. .0Od payment, that be expressly written into the pact
 DelaIling examples of the treatment accorded Panama by Colombia prior so the revolution of 1903, Senator boran declared we are hastening tl while we draw back from recognlzins soviet husssa under the soviet regime which was not duplicated in Panamq under Colombia's dictatorshin..
 DEFENDS ROOSEVELT COIIRSE Defending the course pursued bv n. l United States government under Presi' dent Roosevelt, MT. Borah denied tha the United States in any way aided ir bringing about the separation Of Pan anna from Colombia and said he va, Iconvinced the golden thread runnin. througnout was more money" :" on tns part of Colombia.
 The United States was not a con spirator.' Senator Eoral continued Roosevelt did not become a common Iadventurer. John Hay was not 2
 liar. Short-signced duplicity and venai policy of Colombia aided Pan anna. We owe Colombia nothing Ths
 brand of shame should not be put or Roosevelt and for the nation state ment made of dishonor and a comics sion of crime"
 Another treaty should be made, Senator Borah said. If American citi
 zens have acquired oil interests in Co
 lombia that need protection I To ratify this is to confess th' charge made against us," said MT borah. Fundamentally this treaty is the same. With the apology GU the payment still is an admission o
 guilt"
 l Discussion of the treaty tomorrow I is expected to be given over almos
 entirely to republican opponents of rat | ification with Senators Johnson. Cali I fornia Lenroot, Wisconsin. and Poin
 dexter. Washington. on the list Q speakers.