Foreign Relations of the United States, Diplomatic Papers, 1933, The American Republics, Volume V

711.12155/834

The American Ambassador in Mexico (Daniels) to the Mexican Minister for Foreign Affairs (Puig)⁴⁴

No. 187

Mexico, September 8, 1933.

Excellency: In order to facilitate the early exchange of ratifications of the Convention signed between Mexico and the United States for the rectification of the Rio Grande (Rio Bravo) in the Juárez Valley, dated February 1, 1933, and in order to establish clearly the understanding of both Governments with respect to the question of rights and use of waters of the Rio Grande (Rio Bravo) along the stretch covered by said Convention, the two Governments declare through this exchange of notes that the spirit and terms of the Convention of February 1, 1933, do not alter the provisions of Conventions now in force as regards the utilization of water from the Rio Grande (Rio Bravo) and that, consequently, these matters remain entirely unaffected and in exactly the same status as existed before the Convention of February 1, 1933, was concluded.

Accept [etc.]

Josephus Daniels

44. Transmitted to the Department by the Ambassador in his despatch No. 565, September 8, 1933; received September 13. A similar note in Spanish text was addressed by Sr. Puig to Ambassador Daniels.

    In telegram No. 172, August 25, 1933, 5 p.m., the Ambassador in Mexico informed the Department that he had been ‘informed by Minister of Foreign Affairs that River Rectification Treaty will probably fail of ratification … unless Mexican landowners in Ciudad Juárez Valley can be convinced that Treaty will not deprive them of water rights which they now enjoy through the use of intake canals …” (711.12155/810.)

    After some further correspondence (not printed) the exchange of notes of September 8 was agreed upon.