The New York herald., 1921-03-09
COLOMBIAN TREATY
UP TO PRESIDENT
Senate Will Not Act on Com
pact Until Ii Hears From
Harding.
Special Despatch 10 THE New Yogh Herald
New York Herald Bureau.
Wash;ugfnn n g.. March n.

Special Despatch 10 THE Nrw Yoxk HERALD.
New York Herald Bureau,
Washington. ID. G., March y.
The Senate found itself with nothing
to do when It convened to-day because
of the demands on President Harding
and his Cabinet, which afforded no OPP
portunity for submission TO the Senate
OF further appointments or requests for
action on treaties. An adjournment was
taken until tomorrow.
1t was made known that until ape
cial message is sent by President Har-
ding the Senate will not act on the
Colombian treaty. one Of the important
matters before the special session. There
is some doubt about the Presidents
course furthermore. because OF growing
opposition to ratification Of the Colom-
tian compact.
This opposition is due, for one thing,
TO the belief on the part of Senator'S who
were close friends OF President Roosevelt
that It's ratification would be at least
discourtesy to his memory, since he was
very strongly opposed to 1t. The oppo-
nents, who include such Republican Sen
ators as Poindexter (Wasl1.), Kellogg
(Minn). John (CaL), Borah Idaho)
and Kenyon (Iowa), have also other rea-
sons for their opposition, one OF which
Is that they think it's ratification would
be a confession OF wrongdoing against
Colombia By the United States. which
they are not prepared to admit They
insist further that discussion OF the
treaty shall be held in open session
rather than ir secret, and they threaten
to discuss IL In. open session whatever
rule is adopted.
Several OF the critics OF the treaty
conferred to-day, mapping out pro-
granme OF action. It was learned that
Senator Kellogg has protested person.
ally to President Harding against rau-
fication OF the treaty. He and others
intend to fortify their objection to 1t by
quoting from the minority report made
March IA, 1917, signed by Senators
Lodge (Mass.), McCumber On. d.,
Borah Idaho), Brandegee (Conn.) and
Fall IN. NJ, in which among other
things this language was used
I'VE cannot afford to purchase cordial
relations with any country. We cannot
afford to answer a blackmail demand.
Any friendship which is bought Is
worthless, especially when bought under
threats WD1Cn, Wnen SuSCtS5Ihis piOVu
contempt in the mind OF the seller and
a sense OF bitter dislike and humiliation
in that OF the buyer"
Senator Knox did not join In this
minority report. but. on the contrary,
filed separate views favoring ratification
OF the treaty If 1t could be done without
impugning "the past attitude, acts or
motives or this Government" He be-
leved that was possible, emphasizing
the Importance of such action in further
ing more friendly relations with Latin
American republics
Believing that the power and pres
tige OF the United States in its foreign
relations no less than funds OF the
Treasury are intrusted to this Govern
ment not for dissipation In shadowy or
millennial projects" said Senator Knox.
but for the practical benefit OF real
American interests. / have considered
this treaty from the point Of view OF its
contribution to the general welfare of
this nation In the sense Of the Constitu-
ton. 7 find the treaty considerable and
proper in that respect"
1t is understood President Harding is
being kept advised Of Developments In
the Senate relating TO the Colombian
treaty. He probably will be guided to
some extent at least by the advice OF
friends of ratification of the treaty.