711.1216M/2257
The Chargé in Mexico (Bursley) to the Adviser on Political Relations (Duggan)
[Received February 13.]
Dear Larry: I refer to my letter of February 10th regarding the water matter.
I have just found time to read the latest batch of papers from the Department regarding the Colorado River question, and note on page 4 of Dr. Timm’s13 memorandum of conversation dated January 25th14 a reference to the risk we might run were this matter ever submitted to international arbitration.
The reference to the possibility that Mexico might make a cut just below the upper boundary smacks somewhat of Federal Project No. 5 on the Rio Grande.15 That is to say, it would be difficult for our Government to object should Mexico undertake the cut on the Colorado River in Mexican territory.
Sincerely yours,