Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, With the Address of the President to Congress December 8, 1914

File No. 711.21/220.

Chargé Harrison to the Secretary of State.

[Telegram—Extract.]

American Legation,
Bogota, January 9, 1914, 5 p.m.

I have seen the Minister for Foreign Affairs by appointment to receive Colombia’s reply to the proposition of your December 19, 6 p.m.¹¹ The Minister apologized for the delay in answering, due to unavoidable absence of one of the members of the Consultatory Commission of the Foreign Office. He hopes to have a reply for me by the 13th instant.* * * Our negotiations are, in fact, not with the Government but with the Commissioners, representing all political parties, with whom the Government has but little influence.* * *

Any concession the Department may be able to grant would go far toward a settlement. If, however, the Department cannot accept their draft,¹² a full frank explanation of the reasons therefor would undoubtedly have a beneficial effect.

Harrison

.

11. Id. 328.
12. Id. 324.