The herald., 1893-12-06

canal is within 10 feet the capacity of
the lai geet canal In the world, that OF
India, it cannot carry enough water to
irfigate both the Mexican and California
line. The canal company is in bad
fix all round, because contracts have
been made with the Southern Pac ific
and Texas Pacific railroadn to give the
FIRST water rights this side of the line.
The complications have become 60 seri-
GUS that the Mexican claimants have
undertaken to induce the Mexican gov
ernment to prevent the canal company
taking the water into California. This
is what has made it an international
question.
"A careful examination of the surveys
has shown something entirely unex-
pected and that is that the whole OF the
Colorado river from the mouth of the
ella to the international line is within
the state of California. This brings
Yuma. now considered in Arizona, and
the Colorado river as far as it is defined
by it's banks within this state. Below
the international line the claim ia made
that the river is not confined within its
banks, but spreads out in every direc-
tion according to the stage OF the water,
and for that reason the Mexicans can
have no riparian rights.
THE CLAIM OF ARIZONA.
cat present the situation is compli-
Gated by the claim that the river, from
the Gila to point northwest OF Yuma
is in Arizona, and therefore California
has no rights. To settle that question
shall in all probability ask the governor
to sanction suit to be brought in the
United States supreme court to fix the
lines. The papers am now engaged on
will bring before the secretary of state
and the Mexican minister at Washing
ton the international question as to. the
right OF United States citizens to carry
the water through Mexican territory
and deliver it back into California with
out distributing the portion claimed by
the Mexicans. 1t is of immense inn
portance and involves great interests"
when will the papers be forwarded 2"
SIN few days."
"Are the people Of Yuma desirous of
being taken into California;" was
asked.
Il believe the feeling is strongly in
favor of such action. The location of
the town was officially called to my at
tention by the following letter:
THEY WANT TO COME IN.
YUMA, A. T., Oct. 2S, 1898.
+" Attorney-General Hart, San Francisco Cal :
80 DEAR SIR: l have been requested
by several taxpayers here to write you
regarding the title OF California to
strip of land on this side of the Colo
RADIO river which includes about two
thirds of the town OF Yuma, and over
which Arizona now exercises iurisdjc.
ton. UP to few years ago this strip
paid taxes in California, but owing to
the distance from San Diego the officials
there allowed their interests here to
lapse. have looked this matter up
and am satisfied that Arizona has no
jurisdiction at ali over this strip. The
residents are very anxious that Califor-
mia shall exercise the right to iurisdic-
tion here, hence / call your attention to
the matter and ask what steps are neces-
sary to have our rights as citizens and
taxpayers OF California recognized.
Very respectfully yours.
w. 0. HUsAN.'
''The property involved in the contest
now about to begin is at present almost
valueless. With water once placed on
it it's value will be from $40, ,0OO, 900 to
$4,000, 900. The Colorado River Irri-
cation company, Of which @. HI. Dow
and |. B. Ernat, the Denver bankers,