810.20 Defense/2610: Telegram
The Ambassador in Colombia (Lane) to the Secretary of State
[Received May 6—5:33 a.m.]
601. For the Under Secretary. My 574 April 30, 1 p.m. In the course of conversation today with Minister of War he spontaneously brought up question of General López and said that instructions have been issued to the latter not to make any issue with the United States military authorities in event of an emergency necessitating our forces entering Colombian territory. Restrepo said if Japanese submarine entered Colombian waters it must be sunk at all costs. Consequently, Colombian Government wished to lend us every facility to enable us to do so. Subsequent to our taking action against the enemy the matter of permission for our forces to fly over or land in Colombia could be discussed through diplomatic channels.
I informed Minister I proposed to discuss this question with President Santos on Thursday14 or Friday.
Repeated to Panama.
- May 7.↩