22nd of this month a conference was held in this city at which were discussed problems relating to the distribution of the waters of the Colorado River, which was attended by His Excellency the Secretary of the Interior and representatives of the Western States of this country, and in which the delegation from the State of California submitted proposals, of extraordinary importance, to the consideration of the Assembly. As Mexico naturally has great interest in everything connected with the above problems, I take the liberty kindly to request you, in case such conference did in fact take place, to be so good as to obtain, if possible, and furnish to me information which will enlighten this Embassy on the subjects which were discussed and acted upon in the said conference. Be assured that I shall be duly grateful for the attention you are kind enough to give my request, and accept [etc.] MANUEL C. TÉLLEZ 711.1216M/497 The Acting Chief of the Division of Mexican Affairs, Department of State (Hanna) to the First Secretary of the Mexican Embassy (Téllez) The Acting Chief of the Division of Mexican Affairs, Department of State, presents his compliments to the First Secretary of the Mexican Embassy and, referring further to his two communications of October 15 and 24, 1921, on the subject of the distribution and utilization of the waters of the Colorado River, has the honor to inform him that the branch of this Government to which the communications in question were referred has now submitted a report in regard to the matter. It appears from this report that the meeting referred to in the Embassy's communication of October 15, at which, it is stated, a Mexican citizen was invited to be present, probably was some meeting of interested parties not called by any official authority; and that the hearing which, according to the Embassy's communication was to have been held on October 27, in this city, doubtless refers to a hearing now pending which is to be held by the Secretary of the Interior at some point in California, probably San Diego, at a date in the latter part of November or early in December, to be hereafter definitely fixed. The report adds that this proposed hearing is for the consideration of a report prepared and submitted under the provisions and direction of an Act of Congress approved May 18, 1920, "To provide for the examination and report upon conditions and possible irrigation development of the Imperial Valley of California,” 42 and that public notice will be given of it in due time. The report makes reference to another Act of Congress which was approved on August 19, 1921, a copy of which is enclosed, entitled "An Act to permit a compact or agreement between the States of Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming, respecting the disposition and apportionment of the waters of the Colorado River, and for other purposes," and discloses that the States mentioned in the Act have appointed delegates, or representatives, to serve on the Commission which the enactment provides for. The report adds that this Commission presumably will meet at some date in the future to consider the distribution of the mutual interests of each of such States in the waters of the Colorado River, but that it is believed the result of any such consideration will not affect Mexico in any way. Finally, the report states that the object of appointing this Commission, on which a national representative appointed by the President of the United States will serve, is simply to provide some legislation which will obviate any further litigation between any two states concerning the use of an inter-state stream for irrigation or for other purposes. Mr. Matthew E. Hanna embraces this opportunity to renew to Señor Don Manuel C. Téllez the assurances of his most distinguished consideration. WASHINGTON, November 9, 1921. 711.1216M/502 The Chargé in Mexico (Summerlin) to the Secretary of State No. 4648 43 MEXICO, December 5, 1921. SIR: With reference to the Department's No. 1860 of November 23, 1921, I have the honor to report that El Universal of the third instant published an article to the effect that cotton-growers of Arizona and California are seeking by means of dams and impoundings altogether to deprive Mexicans of the waters of the Colorado River to which they are justly entitled pursuant to the Guadalupe Treaty signed in 1848." The article added that the Department of Communications and Public Works had appointed Mr. Manuel Balarezo, Civil Engineer, to represent Mexico's interests at the conferences presently to be held in San Francisco, California. 42 41 Stat. 600. 43 Not printed. 44 Treaty of Feb. 2, 1848; for text, see Malloy, Treaties, vol. I, p. 1107. The local press of the fourth instant stated that the following committee has been appointed by General Obregón to attend the conference which is to be held at Riverside, California, and at which will be discussed the utilization of the waters of the Colorado River: President, Engineer Federico Ramos, Engineer Manuel Balarezo, Engineer Javier Sánchez Mejorada. It is stated further that the appointment of the commission has been communicated to the Secretary-Treasury of the League of the Southwest, in response to its telegram dated December second, in which the League announced its desire to accord due honors and hospitality to the Mexican Commission and requested information as to the number and names of its members, date of arrival, etc. I have [etc.] GEORGE T. SUMMERLIN RELAXATION OF REGULATIONS GOVERNING TRAVEL BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND MEXICO FOR RESIDENTS IN A FORTYMILE ZONE ON EITHER SIDE OF THE FRONTIER 811.111/33630: Telegram The Secretary of State to the Chargé in Mexico (Hanna) WASHINGTON, May 19, 1921-6 p.m. 67. Department has under consideration advisability abolishing all passport requirements with respect to residents of 40-mile zones on border, so that persons who have resided in the 40-mile zone on either side of the Mexican border for more than a year prior to entrance into this country, except Russians and hostile aliens, upon satisfying United States authorities at ports of entry of such residence, may enter American border zone without passports or border cards, provided they are otherwise admissible. Proposed plan will be put into effect provided Mexican authorities along border are given corresponding instructions with respect to bona fide residents in 40-mile zone who may wish to cross into Mexican zone. No visas will be required under this arrangement. Please take up informally with appropriate authorities, pointing out benefit that will result to border business intercourse, and request that the matter be given immediate consideration. Report results. HUGHES 811.111/33709 : Telegram The Chargé in Mexico (Hanna) to the Secretary of State MEXICO, May 26, 1921-noon. [Received 9:45 p.m.] 107. Department's telegram 31 [67], May 19, 6 p.m. Foreign Office states that it agrees to plan in reference and will give instructions "to the end that persons desiring to cross into the Mexican zone shall only be required to sign a document issued by any municipal authority of the 40-mile zone on the American side in which it is stated the bearer has resided within the zone mentioned for at least 1 year prior to his entry into Mexico. Likewise persons residing within the 40-mile zone on the Mexican side shall in the same manner prove their residence before the American authorities." The Foreign Office requests that it be given ample notice so that the plan may be inaugurated simultaneously in both countries. HANNA 811.111/33709: Telegram The Secretary of State to the Chargé in Mexico (Hanna) 74. Your 107. WASHINGTON, May 28, 1921-5 p.m. Mexican authorities appear to have misinterpreted Department's proposal, which eliminates all documentation with respect to persons who have resided in 40-mile zones for more than a year (except Russians and hostile aliens desiring to enter United States), it being necessary only for such residents, provided they are otherwise admissible, to satisfy port authorities of residence requirement prior to their passage from one zone to the other. Take matter up again informally with appropriate authorities, and request them to consent to plan as originally presented, to be put into effect beginning June 15, pointing out that American municipal authorities on border are now issuing identifying documents, but that this practice is unsatisfactory. HUGHES 811.111/33796: Telegram The Chargé in Mexico (Summerlin) to the Secretary of State MEXICO, June 11, 1921-5 p.m. 137. Department's telegram 74, May 28, 5 p.m. The Foreign Office now proposes the following modification of plan to govern transactions [transit] between zones for all persons except Russians and hostile aliens: That the Mexican Government will issue the necessary orders to immigration officers on the frontier to demand only of persons residing in the American zone who are unknown to such agents a letter, communication or proof issued by any municipal authority in the United States zone, stating that the bearer has resided in the zone mentioned for more than 1 year prior to his entrance into Mexico provided he is otherwise admissible, the purpose of such requirement being to facilitate transit; and that the American Government will issue like orders with respect to the Mexican zone. Residents of either zone known to the immigration officers of both countries may be admitted without presenting such letter, communication or proof provided they are otherwise admissible. SUMMERLIN 811.111/33796: Telegram The Secretary of State to the Chargé in Mexico (Summerlin) WASHINGTON, June 28, 1921—1 p.m. 95. Your 137, June 11. Department is submitting to President for signature Executive Order reading in part as follows: 45 "On and after July 1, 1921, citizens of Mexico desiring to enter the United States through Mexican Border ports, may do so without presenting to the Control Officers at Border ports any travel document whatsoever, provided such persons have been residents of the forty mile border zone for a period of one year or more and are otherwise admissible; and that such persons are known to the United States Immigration Officials. If such persons are unknown to the United States Immigration Inspectors they will be required to present proof, satisfactory to the Immigration Officers, that they are bona fide residents of the forty mile zone." Order also provides that any alien domiciled in this country who visits 40 mile Border zone of Mexico, may return to this country within 6 months without passport. All other aliens, as well as Mex The order was submitted to the President June 24, signed June 25, as no. 3505, and returned to the Department of State June 27 (received June 28). This telegram was drafted June 26. |