033.1110 Wallace, Henry A./288
The Ambassador in Colombia (Lane) to the Secretary of State
[Received May 14.]
Sir: I have the honor to report that during his visit to Colombia Vice President Wallace was everywhere enthusiastically received. The warmth and extent of the popular reception was especially notable in Cali. In Bogotá, Medellín, and Barranquilla the Vice President’s visit coincided with the most solemn days of Holy Week and made it desirable that there should be no demonstration on a scale which might cause ill-feeling through conflict with the religious ceremonies. In these cities, therefore, the reception was primarily official and the popular reception, though cordial, was entirely spontaneous and unorganized.
[Here follow details of Vice President Wallace’s visit in Colombia.]
There is no question that Mr. Wallace, though his visit was brief, made a deep impression on the Colombians. His obviously sincere interest in the problems and aspirations of the several regions visited, together with his lack of pretension and the devoutly Christian spirit of his speech at the Teatro Colon, undoubtedly most favorably affected all classes of Colombians. In the word of El Tiempo, “this most successful of all good-will visitors…35 awakened an immense sympathy and left with us a feeling of sincere and effective Pan-Americanism.”
Respectfully yours,
- Omission indicated in the original despatch.↩