811.34521/13: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Colombia (Lane)
959. Your 1169, September 9, 1 p.m. You are authorized to address a note to the Foreign Minister along the following lines:
“Under instructions of my Government, I have the honor to submit the following requests to Your Excellency, for the purpose of attaining the maximum efficiency of joint cooperative measures between our Governments in matters of hemisphere defense, protection of Colombian, United States and friendly shipping, and the security of the Panama Canal:
- 1.
- Permission for the armed forces of the United States under the commanding officer, Caribbean Defense Command, when in pursuit of the enemy, to enter and fly over Colombian territory and to enter Colombian territorial waters without prior special authority. Notification of such action would be immediately made by the Caribbean Defense Command to the liaison officer of the Colombian Government stationed at the headquarters of the Command.
- 2.
- Permission for the establishment at Cartagena of emergency fueling services and repair facilities for land airplanes and seaplanes of the United States Army and Navy and for the garrisoning of such facilities with such personnel as may be required for these activities and for the protection of aircraft and installations.
- 3.
- Permission for the assignment of military and naval observers of the United States in Colombian territory attached to the principal United States consular officer in each case and under his general supervision. The desire of this Government to appoint each such observer would be notified to Your Excellency’s Government.
- 4.
- Permission to station seaplane tenders at Cartagena.
If Your Excellency’s Government is favorably disposed General Andrews, Commanding Officer, Caribbean Defense Command, or his Deputy, will be pleased to come without delay to Bogotá to work out the specific details with the appropriate Colombian military and naval authorities of the arrangements in which he has a direct concern.”
The War Department has shown the Department a telegram from Colonel Pate35 along the lines of your telegram under reference but adding that the Colombian Government desires General Andrews, accompanied [Page 165] by appropriate aides, including a naval officer, to proceed to Bogotá to discuss matters of his interest; and the Department heartily approves.
The above text is for your guidance but you are authorized to make appropriate changes in your discretion to meet any special local requirements.
- Col. Joseph B. Pate, Military Attaché in Colombia.↩