The New York herald., 1921-04-13
LODGE ARGUES FOR
COLOMBIA TREATY
Senator Opens Fight for.
Ratification as Desired
by the President.
OBJECTIONS REMOVED
Revision of Pact Eliminates
Features That Previously
Held 1t Up.
AIDS AMERICAN OIL MEN
Example Also Important for
Its Effect on Other Latin
American Countries.
OBJECTIONS REMOVED
AIDS AMERICAN OIL MEN
xvecsdy Despatch to THE NEW York HERALD
New York Herald Bureau.
Washinrlnn. ID G.. Anril l9.

AUscsdy Despatch to THE NEW York HERALD.
New York Herald Bureau.
Washington, ID. c., April L.
Senator Lodge (Mass.), chairman Of
the Foreign Relations Committee, to-
day formally opened the fight in the
Senate for the ratification of the Co
lom bian treaty. recommended by Presi-
dent Harding The treaty will be kept
before the Senate continuously until
April 20, when the final vote will be
taken by previous agreement.
Senator Lodge, who signed minor
fty report of the Foreign Relations
Committee in 1917 that called this a
'sblackmail" treaty. endeavored to-day
in a long and carefully prepared
speech to show why he now believes
it should be ratified.
President Harding's message trans
mitting the treaty to the Senate on
March was made public to-day. The
PRESIDENT said in part:
",rhe early and favorable considcra-
ton of this treaty would be very help
ful at the present time in promoting our
friendly relationships. There have been
many and long delays in dealing with
this treaty until we have been made to
seem unmindful, when In truth we have
had no thought but to deal with this
sister republic In a most cordial consld-
GRAFTON. I believe the revised treaty to
be a fair expression OF our just and
friendly relationship with the republic
of Colombia, and ! would rejoice to have
our example in dealing with the republic
of Colombia to be made an assurance
of that promptness and firmness and JUS
tice which shall invite added confidence
in our Government and a new regard
for our own republic"
Original Objections Overcome.
The burden of Senator Lodges argu-
ment was that the revised treaty over
comes objections to the original docu-
ment and that II is important to OBJ
tain the good will of Colombia In order
to insure adequate protection for the
Panama Canal and because of the ef-
forts of British interests TO develop tho
Colombian oil fields while distractions
are thrown in the way Of American oil
development OF these same fields. He
said that President Roosevelt, during
Panama sep rated from Colombia with
the aid OF the United States, ecognized
the necessity Of satisfying Colombia in
some way for the loss Of the territory
through which the United States con-
structed the Panama Canal.
81 should never have assented under
any circumstances to the treaty con-
tanning an apology, however worded,"
said Mr.. Lodge. THAT is removed from
the amended treaty by striking out
article i. Colombia's rights of transit
have been modified by amendments, and
the threats Of hostility by uniting with
Germany, of course, have been removed
entirely by the passage of time and the
course Of events.
"There remains the objection ground
ed on the amount of the money pay
ment. l am frank TO say that / con-
slider the amount too great. but TO bring
about settlement Of this question /
am ready to waive my objection on that
point in order TO secure better relations
with Colombia and a settlement OF the
vexed question OF recognition and OF
boundaries. An amendment has also
been added in regard to the periods and
mode Of payment of the S25. 900,
which, though not reducing the total
amount have a very considerable inn
pcrtance, in view OF the future and in
giving us certain control over the
money to be paid.
when Senator Stone brought the
treaty in with a favorable report in
1917 he announced that he purposed to
have a vote on II. whether the treaty
was accepted or rejected, but after a
short time he changed his mind, ANA
the treaty was laid aside. / was in
vited soon aftcrward to have an in
tcrview with MIR. Lansing. and I called
upon him and had a long conversation
with him. told him very frankly
that the treaty In fits present form could
not possibly pass. but that | thought
with certain amendments. in view OF
the Importance OF the interests involved,
Il might be adopted by the Senate. but
the amendments were vital Article
must be stricken from the treaty en-
tirely and other changes must be made.
These amendments were suggested by
Senator Knox, by Senator Root and by
me-"
Protecting American Interests.
After telling OF British oil interests
Ina Colombia Mr.. Lodge continued:
'Jf Americans are willing 10 put in
large amounts OF capital for the produce
tion Of oil they are entitled to make
money and hope they viii. The Gov
crnmcnt Will not be involved financially.
but will simply be called upon TO do
what every other Government does and
what we ought always to do-prpte
its citizens in their lawful trade I'm other
countries The Indications are very
strong that very large oil fields, per-
haps the largest IN the world, are on the
point Of development in vcnezuela ana
Colombia.
American companies have already
started in Colombia, but they will pass
into the hands Of the powerful British
combinations If our people cannot at
least understand that they win be pro-
tected against wrong and injustice IL
they invest In countries other than their
own for the purpose of furnishing the
United states with oil and charging our
commerce.
This Is one Of the important features
Of good relations with Colombia and
with all Latin America but particularly
with those countries in tho north where
the oil fields are believed to lie. These
are some Of tho arguments which seemed
10 me very strongly to justify-in fact
demand--tho ratification Of this treaty"
Senator Lodge read two letters from
Secretary Of the internal Fall explain
ing the Importance Of the United states
being able 81 develop lndcr proper pro-
tection. the oils fields of Colombia and
bthcrEatin American countries.