The Mexican Ambassador to the Secretary of State.

[Translation.]
No. 366.]

Most Excellent Sir: In accordance with the instructions I received to-day, I have the honor to inform your excellency that my Government accepts in general the propositions contained in your department’s note No. 208, of March 22 last, relative to the maintenance of the status quo in El Chamizal and to the solution by means of arbitration of the question of sovereignty over the said tract.

My Government, which as early as 1907 proposed to that of the United States recourse to arbitration, as may be seen from this embassy’s note of July 19 of that year, is gratified at having this legal mode resorted to for the solution of so delicate a question.

The department of foreign relations of my country takes notice that the American Government, while calling the exchange of territory proposed by Mexico under the interpretation of existing treaties convenient, does not bring itself to accepting the exchange or deeming it necessary to conclude a new boundary treaty.

The Government of Mexico regards as nonsubsisting the propositions made by both countries prior to your excellency’s note of March 22 last, and declares, through this embassy, that it accepts arbitration in the form described in the said note, as well as the terms suggested for the maintenance of the status quo in El Chamizal, provided that the decisions of the commissioner to be designated by the Department of State shall have but a provisional character and shall not impair the rights that the interested parties may have on the land.

My Government further desires that the said commissioner will seasonably communicate a copy of his decisions to the Mexican delegate on the International Boundary Commission.

Cordially rejoicing in this further step toward the friendly solution of this troublesome question in accordance with the principles of justice, I take pleasure, etc.,

F. L. De La Barra.