The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-04-13
LODGE LEADS IN COLOMBIAN TREATY
 FIGHT IN SENATE
Contest for Ratification of Long Pending Pact Begins With Reading of the
 Presidents Message
By Associated Press

Washington, April 12.-The fight over the Colombian treaty was re- opened in the Senate today, with Sen ator Lodge of Massachusetts leading the forces for ratification.
 The contest which administration leaders hope will result in a favor able vote on the long pending pact on April 20, began with the reading in open executive session of a message from President Harding who declared the early favorable consideration of this treaty would be very helpful at the present time in promoting our friendly relationships" The executives message was sent to the Senate and read in executive session March g, but was not made public until today.
 senator Lodge opened the discussion with prepared address, in which he declared that ratification of the treaty not only would improve relations be- tween the United States and Latin America but that the world situation as regards oil of which Colombia has rich stores, seemed very strongly to justify in fact, to demand the ratifi- cation"
 NOT INCONSISTENT
 \ Acceptance of the pact in it's present fom, the Massachusetts senator con- tended, would not be inconsistent with the stand taken in 1917 by republican minority members Of the foreign re- iations committee in refusing to agree to favorable report. Since then, he oeclared, changes have been made, in- cluding elimination of the expression or the American government'~ regret to Colombia for the part played by the Cnited States in events attendant on the separation of Pan-America from Colombia. These changes, he asserted removed in the main the objections raised against the treaty in 1917.-
 The Massachusetts senator declared mat ratification of the treaty in it's present form would cast no reflection on the action of President Roosevelt Tn extending recognition to Pan Amer ,ea after 1t had revolted from Colom- bia.
 The Massachusetts senator read a let ter written March q by Secretary Fall Who stated that conferences and corre- spcDdence with the late Col Roosevelt in 1917 and thereafter had convinced him that Mir. Roosevelt not only was agree able, but desirous, for such an agree nient with Colombia as would make of that country our warm friend and even CT ally
 FEARS BRITISH CONTROL
 Declaring that the indications are very strong that very large oil fields. perhaps the largest in the world, are on the point Of development in Venezuela and Columbia.'' Senator Lodge said that American companies have already started in Colombia, but they will pass into the hands of the powerful British commission if our people cannot at least understand that they would be protected against wrong and injustice if they in vest in countries other than their own for the purpose of furnishing the United States with oil and eniarging our com merce"
 Another aspect of the oil question was brought out in another letter written by Secretary Fall, under date of March T, and read by MT Lodge In this letter MT. Fall charged that British oil in terests are giving every assurance to Obregon and Mexican officials of their support and friendly cooperation, seek ing advantage against or over Amer ican companies. while the British gov ernment, owning this oil company (the Aguila company is ostensibly standing by the United States in it's protests against obnoxious Mexican decrees.
 Secretary Fall, who as senator from New Mexico was one of those most ac- tive in opposition to the treaty in it's original form, occupied seat on the Senate. floor during delivery by Senator Lodge. of his address.
 Tomorrow the discussion will be re- suned with Senator Kellogg republican of Minnesota, opposing the pact