821.6363 Barco/509: Telegram
The Minister in Colombia (Caffery) to the Secretary of State
[Received 12:22 p.m.]
51. My 50, April 16, 11 p.m. It is becoming increasingly clear that it is now too late to satisfy the Colombian Senate with time limit modifications; it will demand joint contract. Using the contract as a pretext unfriendly elements have turned current in this Congress against the President (the Senate has already overridden his vetoes, for instance, the general tariff) and he should close Congress at once and issue a statement that the failure of that body to approve a concession has prevented him from proceeding with the economic restoration of Colombia; the President could do this dramatically on Monday, April 20, at 4. Even the Cabinet is unaware that he is seriously contemplating this step.
President Olaya said he would reorganize the Cabinet on the basis of what each member can do for the ratification of the contract.