MEXICO CLAIMS DAMAGES

MEXICO CLAIMS DAMAGES

MEXICO has filed a claim in the Department of Justice at Washington, for $20,000,000, which it demands for permitting the diversion of the waters of the Rio Grande, whose normal flow had for centuries been sufficient for the people on both sides adjoining. During the last few years, however, the irrigation of Colorado and New Mexico has consumed so much from the headwaters that the stream along the international boundary has been lowered proportionately. Above and below El Paso it is claimed that the ancient irrigation ditches are now dry, and fertile fields and orchards are a waste. This is the basis for the claim of Mexico. The American Government has endeavored to arrange the question of its equities During President Cleveland’s administration, an English syndicate started to dam the river at Elephant Butte, 125 miles above El Paso, and thus to control water for irrigation. The syndicate offered to sell the water thus impounded in its reservoir to farmers for 200 miles down the valley on the American side. The Mexican Government claimed that the scheme was a violation of the Guadaloupe treaty, and an injunction was filed on the British company on behalf of both countries. Meantime, at the suggestion of General Anson Mills, negotiations were begun for the building of an international dam near El Paso, whereby the ancient water rights might be equitably restored. The English company fought the government scheme. The injunction obtained was dissolved by the Territorial courts o' New Mexico, but the Supreme Court of the United States reversed the decision, and the case has been reopened before the court at Las Cruces in the governmental defence. The Rio Grande is classed as a navigable stream, and the claim is made that the English dam will impair the usefulness of the river

MEXICO has filed a claim in the Department of Justice at Washington, for $20,000,000, which it demands for permitting the diversion of the waters of the Rio Grande, whose normal flow had for centuries been sufficient for the people on both sides adjoining. During the last few years, however, the irrigation of Colorado and New Mexico has consumed so much from the headwaters that the stream along the international boundary has been lowered proportionately. Above and below El Paso it is claimed that the ancient irrigation ditches are now dry, and fertile fields and orchards are a waste. This is the basis for the claim of Mexico. The American Government has endeavored to arrange the question of its equities During President Cleveland’s administration, an English syndicate started to dam the river at Elephant Butte, 125 miles above El Paso, and thus to control water for irrigation. The syndicate offered to sell the water thus impounded in its reservoir to farmers for 200 miles down the valley on the American side. The Mexican Government claimed that the scheme was a violation of the Guadaloupe treaty, and an injunction was filed on the British company on behalf of both countries. Meantime, at the suggestion of General Anson Mills, negotiations were begun for the building of an international dam near El Paso, whereby the ancient water rights might be equitably restored. The English company fought the government scheme. The injunction obtained was dissolved by the Territorial courts o' New Mexico, but the Supreme Court of the United States reversed the decision, and the case has been reopened before the court at Las Cruces in the governmental defence. The Rio Grande is classed as a navigable stream, and the claim is made that the English dam will impair the usefulness of the river