721.2315/122
The Minister in Colombia (Piles) to the Secretary of State
[Received March 8.]
Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge copy of despatch No. 88 of December 1, 1923 of the American Ambassador at Lima75 reviewing the efforts the Ambassador has made to bring about an early ratification of the boundary treaty between Colombia and Peru. Feeling that the knowledge of this interest in Colombia’s welfare as well as the salient facts contained in the despatch would be most welcome news to President Ospina, I called at the Palace and informed the President as far as discretion would permit, of course omitting all reference to the attitude of Brazil, relative to the extent of the informal good offices of the United States in the matter.
The President appeared worried relative to the fate of the treaty and stated how much, the negotiations mean to his administration. He was particularly concerned over the obligatory absence from Lima at this juncture for motives of health of the Colombian Minister and the necessity of leaving representations in the hands of a young and relatively inexperienced Chargé d’Affaires ad interim. I therefore ventured to suggest that the Chargé d’Affaires, when he felt in need, have recourse to the advice of the American Ambassador who is thoroughly conversant with all the angles of the situation. President Ospina ended by expressing his profound gratification for the sincere interest my Government is taking in the settlement of this long standing frontier dispute and stated that it constitutes one of the most friendly acts of one Government towards another that has come within his experience.
I have [etc.]
- Not printed.↩