No. 840.
Mr. Romero to Mr. Bayard.
Washington , December 6, 1887. (Received December 7.)
Mr. Secretary: I have received instructions from Mr. Mariscal, secretary of foreign relations of the United States of Mexico, dated City of Mexico, November 18, 1887, to inform you that the governor of the State of Chihuahua addressed a communication to him on the 20th of [Page 1255] August last, wherein was inserted another communication from the political chief of the district of Bravos, the chief town of which is El Paso del Norte, quoting a resolution passed by the municipal board of that city, stating the inconveniences which would accrue to the same, both as regards the public health and its rights, if a plan for draining were carried out, which appears to have been authorized by the municipal authorities of El Paso, Texas.
According to the statements published by the newspapers of El Paso, Texas, in relation to this matter, the plan provides for the construction of a large drain-pipe, which is to pass through lands that are considered as belonging to Mexico, although they are now on the left side of the Rio Grande, and is to serve as an outlet into that river. The objections to this plan are, mainly, that as the Rio Grande is an international river, it does not seem proper for works to be constructed on its banks affecting the health of the towns lying opposite, without the consent of the two Governments interested, leaving out of consideration the lack of right on the part of the city authorities of El Paso, Texas, to construct such a work on land that is thought to belong to Mexico.
The municipal board of El Paso del Norte fears that the filth which will be emptied into the river by the drain-pipe which is to lead to it will seriously affect the health of the inhabitants of that city.
Mr. Mariscal has consequently instructed me to address the Government of the United States of America for the purpose of endeavoring to prevent the accomplishment of a plan which must prove so prejudicial to the rights and to the health of those Mexican towns which are situated on the Rio Grande, especially Paso del Norte.
Be pleased to accept, etc.,