821.796/226: Telegram
The Ambassador in Colombia (Lane) to the Secretary of State
[Received 4:24 p.m.]
1336. Department’s 969, August 3, 6 p.m.68 I have discussed with Mayer suggested changes in air rubber agreement as contained in [Page 35] memorandum of July 16, 194371 from Siaca to Studebaker (transmitted in letter to Mayer from Rubber Development Corporation dated July 24, 194372). Pending detailed discussion with Urdaneta we are withholding our final comments but I wish now to recommend against the substitution role of chapter I, subdivision (a). According to this suggested change Rubber Development is granted the right to construct airports, et cetera, instead of being obligated to construct them. In Urdaneta’s opinion which he again repeated to me on August 2, subdivision (a) of chapter I does not legally obligate Rubber Development to construct airports because of the qualifying clause “in such places as the Rubber Development believes convenient” (the airports constructed by Rubber Development at Calmar and Miraflores were constructed because Rubber Development considered these locations “convenient”).
I am apprehensive lest the substitution in chapter I subdivision (a) will result in the Colombian Government’s feeling that we do not propose to proceed with the terms of the agreement as already agreed upon. As I explained to the Department and to Mr. Stokely W. Morgan of Defense Supplies Corporation during my recent visit to Washington, I feel it most important in connection with our over-all relations with the Colombian Government to carry out in so far as is possible the understanding which has already been tacitly arrived at between Defense Supplies Corporation and the Colombian Minister of War.
Please explain term “Allen Rubber Development” as contained in suggested change in subdivision (b). Also confirm number of article under which this subdivision b should be placed.