Mr. Beaupré to Mr. Hay.
Bogotá, August 12, 1903. (Received 23.)
August 12, 9 p.m. Referring to my telegram of August 12, 7 p.m., I do not believe that rejection of treaty is final, for the following reasons: Yesterday’s debate and vote was undoubtedly previously arranged. This I believe both from the tone of the debate and from information which I had already received through persons of high influence. Debate lasted five hours. All communications between myself and the Colombian Government read. The fact that the Government of the United States can not accept modifications or delay was made clear to the Senate. The most important speech made was that of General Ospina. It was to the effect that while desiring canal he could not give his vote for the ratification of the treaty because the terms were contrary to the provisions of the constitution. He implied that to bring negotiations to a conclusion the constitution should be modified, so as to allow negotiations to be brought to a successful conclusion without prejudice to the honor of the country. He stated also that to effect this no delay was necessary, as two debates will be sufficient for the purpose; he intimated that the Congress should be immediately dismissed by a decree for the purpose of modifying the constitution. Upon that a new law will be passed authorizing the Executive, without further recourse to Congress, to conclude a canal treaty with the United States. Should this prove true the text of the [Page 180] present treaty could be accepted without hesitation. By this means Congress will be able to conclude negotiations without individual senators publicly speaking in favor of it.