The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1928-09-24
KEEPING UP
With
THE NE WIS
BY LUDWELL DENNY

w lombia's protest against the
State Departments alleged diplo
matte intervention in the domestic
affairs of that country in favor of
American oil interests has created
a delicate situation.
Relations between the United
States and Colombia are described
by informed persons as heading to-
ward the same kind Of dangerous
impasse over petroleum which soA
long menaced the peace of the
United States and Mexico.
The long brewing conflict has
been brought into the open by the
State Departments sharp note ac-
cusing the Bogota Government Of
violating customary procedure be-
tween friendly nations in refusing
to answer the American legations
query regarding cancellation of the
Barco oil concession.
The conflict with Colombia is
especially embarrassing to the
Washington administration.
THIRST it leaves the United States
Il in less favorable position to
block attempts of the British gov
eminent oil company, Anglo-Per-
sian, to get the huge Yates conces-
sions flanking-and allegedly 'men-
acing''- the Panama Canal.
Second-It tends to stimulate
similar 'Mexicanization" of Ameri-
can oil rights in Venezula, Argen-
tina, and other Latin American
countries.
Third-It encourages other Carl
bean governments to defy the State
department.
Fourth-It revives the question of
Secretary Melons connection with
/ oil companies and diplomacy. which
/ is one of the reasons for Senator
Couzen's resolution to force Melons
resignation from the cabinet
Fifth--It gives the Democrats an
other point in their campaign at
tack against the alleged imperialis-
tic and interventionist character of
Republican foreign policy.
This 100000 acre Barco con-
ceSsion near the Venezuelan frontier
is owned by American interests,
chiefly the Gulf Oil Company of
the Mellon family. Two years ago
the Government cancelled the con-
cession on the ground that the COM
pany had failed to comply with
terms of the contract. Though the
company filed a bill of errors, the
Government last month issued a
second decree unfolding the can
collation. on additional grounds.
At the instance of the company,
the American minister at Bogota
petitSored the Government to per-
NIT the company to file a new me-
mortal refuting the argument Of the
cancellation decree.
Whereupon the Colombian gov
eminent in effect told the United
States to mind its own business and
the American minister to keep out
of the intervene or interfere in its
domestic affairs.
That is what enraged the State
Department, which for three years
has been tryin to fall over back
wards rather than create another
Mexican situation in Colombia. The
United States can not permit any
government to deny its rights to
protect the legitimate interests Of
American nationals abroad, accord
ing to the department.
| 60 the department, in its note of
~ Sept. H. which it now for the
first time admits having written,
stated:
First-That Colombia by refus-
ing to answer the United States
request for facts relating to Ameri-
cans has violated tie accepted
methods by which friendly govern
mentS treat each other.
Second-That the United States
requested nothing which it would
not give in similar circumstances to
Colombia and any other government.
Third-That Colombia's attitude
and action will not stop the United
States from continuing to concern
itself with the right of Americans
in that country, and to afford such
protection to American interests as
seems necessary and proper.
The result Of the American note
has been to inflame further anti
Yankee sentiment in Bogota. Sat-
urday the Colombian Senate an6
Chamber of Deputies are reported
to have given a unanimous vote Of
confidence to the government in
its refusal to permit diplomatic in
tervention" by the United States.
If the American company thinks it
has not received fair play from the
government, it has recourse to local
courts, according to the resolution
of confidence.