711.12155/150: Telegram

The Chargé in Mexico ( Schoenfeld ) to the Secretary of State

154. I personally delivered to Minister of Foreign Affairs last evening note in sense of your telegram 176 August 11, 3 p.m. He said that Mexican members International Boundary Commission had already reported recent minute regarding construction of cut-offs but that Mexican Government had been unable to approve proposal because of pendency of Chamizal negotiations involving similar questions and because of existing embarrassments in exercising Mexican sovereignty in Cordova tract which was in a situation similar to that which would prevail upon completion of proposed cut-offs. I asked the Minister to reconsider the matter with practical regard to property damage done by floods leaving theoretical questions for the future, but he seemed insistent that proposed cut-offs must await settlement of general Rio Grande problem. He promised however to take my note under earnest advisement and to reply as soon as possible.

Schoenfeld