File No. 837.6112/25.
[Untitled]
Sir: I have the honor to state that I desire to make an amendment to my report upon the Zapata Swamp concession (Despatch No. 674 of November 20, 1912). It was stated that “on the face of the proposition it looks like a lucrative endeavor since the land values would certainly reach high figures and that shortly.” I wish this to be understood as meaning that under a successful and economical drainage of the swamp the land for agricultural purposes would be valuable as it certainly would be rich. Assuming that the theory that the swamp can be drained successfully and economically is correct, the view I have given would be justified, but as there is yet no certainty about the matter either from an engineering or a [Page 322] financial standpoint, it is well, in the desire to do exact justice, to make this explanation, and I do it without solicitation from the interested parties of course, because they do not know the nature of my report.
The land of the Ciénaga de Zapata as at present is absolutely worthless as an entirety, and it cannot be reclaimed unless a very large amount of money is spent, whether it is an easy or difficult engineering work. That much is sure.
I have [etc.]