File No. 711.1216M/334.
No. 1379.]
American Embassy,
Mexico,
April 27, 1912.
[Inclosure—Translation.]
The Secretary for Foreign
Affairs to the American
Ambassador.
Department of Foreign Affairs,
Mexico,
April 13, 1912.
Mr. Ambassador: I have the honor to
acknowledge the receipt of your excellency’s courteous note No.
2097, dated the 1st instant, informing me of the wishes of your
excellency’s Government for the early creation of an international
commission to take the place of the commission now in existence for
the investigation of the proper method of utilizing the waters of
the lower Colorado River in Mexico and the United States, and also
to study important matters relating to the legal conditions of the
canal that crosses Mexican territory and carries the waters that
irrigate the Imperial Valley and other places in California and the
continuance of the works of defense, particularly such works as are
being done by the Colorado River Land Company.
In reply I have the pleasure to say to your excellency that the
Mexican Government abounds in similar wishes and believes, like the
Government of the United States, that it is eminently necessary to
make a thorough study of the points mentioned by your excellency,
for which reason Mexico accepted with pleasure the appointment of
the commission suggested by the Government of the United States
since the beginning of the year 1908, which commission will be
succeeded by the one to be created presently.
In view of the above, I beg to recommend to your excellency to inform
your Government that Mexico accepts the appointment of the proposed
international commission, and take the liberty to suggest that for
the purpose of the early action and facilities of said commission,
the one now existing as the International Water Boundary Commission
be permitted to remain in force with an increased and practical
personnel to study and propose an arrangement of the matters
pertaining to the Colorado River, increasing to that end, if
necessary, the powers it now has.
The Mexican Government believes that the way suggested will be
favorably considered by that of your excellency, in view of the
promptness and facility with which the International Boundary
Commission will be able to act concerning the works on the Colorado
River without disregarding the works it has charge of on the Rio
Grande.
I avail [etc.]
