Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1921-04-13
LODGE LEADS FIGHT
FOR RATIFICATION OF
COLOMBIAN PACT

Washington, April 1.-THE fight
over the Colombian treaty was re-
opened in the Senate to-day with
Senator Lodge, 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 mes
sage from President Harding who
declared "the early and favorable
consideration of this treaty would be
very helpful at the present time in
promoting our friendly relation
ships The executives message
was sent TO the Senate and read in
executive session March 0, but was
not made public until today.
Senator Lodge opened the discus
sion with prepared address, in
which he declared that ratification
of the treaty not only would improve
relations between the United States
and Latin America, but that the
world situation as regards oil, of
which Colombia has rich stores,
seemed Every strongly to justify, in
fact to demand the ratification
Acceptance of the pact in it's pres
ent form, he contended would not
be inconsistent with the stand taken
in 1917 by Republican minority
members of the foreign relations
committee in refusing to agree to
favorable report. Since then, he
declared, changes have been made,
including limitation of the expression
of the American governments re-
greet to Colombia for the part played
by the United States in the events
attendant on the separation of Pana-
ma from Colombia. These changes,
he asserted, removed in the main the
objections raised against the treaty
in 1917.
He further declared that ratifica-
ton of the treaty in it's present form
would cast no reflection on the ac-
ton of President Roosevelt in ex-
tending recognition to Panama after
it had revolted from Colombia. Mr..
Lodge read a letter written last
March 81 by Secretary FAN, who
stated that conferences and CORES
pondence with the late Colonel
Roosevelt in 1917 and thereafter had
convinced him that Mr., Roosevelt
not only was agreeable but DESTROYS
for ''such agreement with Colombia
as would make of that country our
warm friend and even our ally"
Declaring that 1.-The indications are
very strong that very large oil fields,
perhaps the largest in the world. are
on the point of development in Vene-
zuela and Colombia" Senator Lodge
said that American companies have
already started in Colombia, but
they will pass into the hands of the
powerful British combination if our
people cannot at least understand
that they will lbe protected against
wrong and injustice. if they invest in
countries other than their own for
the purpose of furnishing the United
State with oil and charging our
commerce"
Another aspect of the oil question
was brought out in another letter
written by Secretary Fall under date
of March 81, and read by Mr. Lodge.
In this letter Mr. Fall charged that
British oil interests are giving every
assurance to Obregon and Mexican
officials in their support and friend
ly cooperation, seeking advantage
against. or over American compan-
les, while the British government
owning this oil company, (Aguila
Company is ostensibly standing by
the United States" in its protests
against obnoxious Mexican DEGREES.
Secretary Fall, who as senator
from New Mexico, was one of those
most active in opposition to the
treaty in it's original form, occupied
a seat on the Senate floor during de-
livery by Senator Lodge of his ad-
dress. Tomorrow the discussion will
be resumed, with Senator Kellogg,
Republican, Minnesota, opposing the
pact.