711.21/514: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Minister in Colombia (Philip)
Your October 29, noon,42 October 31, 7 p.m.43 November 5, 5 p.m.
After a conference with the Senate, it is evident that there is little chance of ratification of treaty here in the absence of an agreement regarding the subsoil question. No Colombian legislation will take place of such an agreement between Colombia and the United States.
The Department would be glad to be informed more fully, however, regarding the meaning of that portion of proposed Colombian legislation which states that if owner[s] of private lands will develop the subsoil deposits in their lands within twenty years after the legislation they will own such deposits in perpetuity.