File No. 3172/85–86.
American Embassy,
Mexico, April 2,
1908.
No. 984.]
[Inclosure—Translation.]
The Minister for Foreign
Affairs to the American
Ambassador.
Department of Foreign Affairs,
Mexico, March 31, 1908.
Mr. Ambassador: I have the honor to reply
to your excellency’s note No. 221, dated February 11 last and to
say, by direction of the President of the Republic, that with
reference to the first point mentioned in said note the Government
can not permit the occupation of national territory unless the
Government of the United States confers an equal right on the
Government of this country for the occupation of American
territory.
With respect to the second point I must say to your excellency that
the California Development Co., the holder of the shares and
authorized by the department of fomento to utilize the waters of the
Colorado River, can not transfer its rights-to any foreign
Government according to the stipulations of the contract.
[Page 539]
And in conclusion, in regard to the third point, the said company
will receive from the Mexican Government such treatment as it is
entitled to pursuant to the same contract.
The President of the Republic, considering the advantages of making
the proper studies for the distribution of the waters of the
Colorado River, thinks it advisable to accept the appointment of the
commissioners, to the end that the two Governments may properly
utilize, and with equal rights, the waters of the aforesaid river,
respecting such rights as have been created up to this time with
respect to the use of the waters, with the understanding that the
work of the commissioners shall serve as a basis for both
Governments to treat and decide the matter appropriately. To that
end, and as soon as your excellency informs me of the appointment of
the American commissioner, my Government will name the person to
represent it for the work in question.
I avail [etc.],
