The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-04-20
SEE RATIFICATION COLOMBIAN PACT
 IN TODAY'S VOTE
Opponents for Most Part Con- cede Defeat In Efforts to Bring About Rejection
 of 25 Million Treaty
By Associated Presa

Washington, April Rehabilitation with votes to spare was the forecast of republican leaders in the Senate on the eve of tomorrow's vote on the long pend ing Colombian treaty. Opponents of rat ification for the most part tonight con- cede defeat in their efforts to bring about the rejection of the $25, 5,ooo,ooo pact
 Polls taken by advocates of ratification were said to show that approximately 4o republicans and 90 democrats would vote in favor of the treaty. This would be a half dozen more than the necessary two thirds
 Discussion of the treaty, which has oc- cupied the Senate to the exclusion of practically all else since Congress con yened eight days ago, will close at 4 o'clock tomorrow afternoon under an agreement. Then will come votes on amendments, the first of which were of fered today by Senator Ransdell, dem- ocrat. Louisiana, and the final vote
 The Ransdell amendments as put be- fore the Senate, provide for a 5000 900 payment to Colombia for the loss of Panama. instead of the s25 000.0C0 pay ment contemplated by the treaty for the loan of S25, 900 900 to Colombia by the United States; for cession by Colombia of the Providence, St. Andrews and Con- tiguous Islands to the United States; for construction of no canal through Colom- bian territory without the assent of the { United States; and for formation of an alliance between Colombia and the United states. Administration leaders tonight predicted the defeat of the Rans- dell amendments.
 DIVERSITY OF VIEWS
 Discussion of the treaty today under 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 Ransdell, democrats, urged ratification. while Senator Reed, democrat, Missouri, opposed acceptance of the pact.
 Senator Shortridge, making his maiden speech, declared ratification would Ire fleet no dishonor on the dead. will cast no discIedit to the living, and will strengthen us in days of peace and but tress should danger menace" He added that above all it would lend debate, crininaton and recrimination." The friendship of Colombia, he asserted, would be vastly important should dan ger come from across the Pacific.
 Ratification with his amendments would do Substantial justice" Senator Ransdell held, while Senator McCumber who opposed the treaty in 1911, said he would vote for ratification leaving it with the President in his own way to se- 7 cure results that will constitute the only Consideration and be the only justifca- tion for the outlay of $25,000.0o0. .
 Senator Reed, in expressing his op- position to the treaty. declared ratifica- tion would amount to "confession of the ravishment of Colombia by the United states. plea of guilty that we have been caught with the goods. and would spell infinite difficulty and trouble for the United States in the future" Re- ferring to the elimination to the express sion of regret from the treaty as orig inally negotiated, Senator Reed, "the apology has been withdrawn in words and is to be paid in tax
 THE OIL ARGUMENT
 Referring to arguments that ratifica- ton would aid the United States in the world quest for oil, Senator Reed con- tinued:
 "It is admitted that large oil conces- sions have been granted by Colombia to American concerns. Recently attorneys for these oil companies came to Wash ington and asserted in brief that the treaty must be ratified to protect the oil interests'
 The Missouri senator said he wondered how much that argument has had in influencing certain gentlemen to about face on this treaty" Granting of the same privileges to Colombia as to Amer ican citizens as to transit through the Panama canal, a provision of the treaty, Senator Reed contended would entitle other nations. notably Great Britain anil Japan, to seek and obtain such priv ileges
 Colombia has a just grievance against us,'' Senator Wolcott asserted. "and a claim, if not legal. founded on good morals
 The Delaware senator further declared that the United States in precipitately recognizing Panama, "wronged Colom- bia."