Santa Fe daily New Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1885-1897, 1897-05-11
Mr.. M'KENNA'S DECISION
1t is of Vital Importance to Three
Countries, England, Mexico and
the United States.
INTERNATIONAL COMpLICATIoNSFEARED
Mexico Raised An Objection to the OBJ
struction of the Rio Grande River,
and Called Upon the United
States for An Explanation.
Special to the New Mexican.

Special to the New Mexican.
Washington, May 1.-THE recent de
cision of Attorney General McKenpa, con
cerning the construction of dams on th
Rio Grande river in New Mexico, is O
vital Importance to three counties, tn,
United States, England and Mexico. Tn,
gravest results are probable as an ont
come of this decision, which will affect al
construction of the character indicate {
along the Rio Grande river, and virtually
suspend all irrigation propositions in
New Mexico, so far as the body of water
In question is concerned. The case de.
cided was that of the Rio Grande Dam &
Navigation company. a corporation COM
posed Of British capitalists. It was or
ganized to build the largest artificial lake
in the world at Elephant Buttes, in south
ern New Mexico, and across the Rio
Grande river. Subscriptions were re i.
ceived in London and several million dol
lars were subscribed. The company is-
sued flaming prospectus and found hun.
dreds of people ready to take stock. The
prospectus was issued after Secretary
Hoka Smith had given the incorporators
the right to go ahead. The work has been
proceeding for nearly two years ana this
government knew nothing of IT until it's
attention was called to it by the Mexican
minister early in January last. The Mex
loan government objected to the building
OF the dam because 1t obstructed naviga-
BILE river and was an international affair
The Mexican authorities claimed that Sec
retary Smith had no right to grant any
privileges of the kind to any corporation
without their consent. The dam, the
American authorities showed, was to be
built 125 miles above Ell Paso. They
claimed that the Rio Grande was navigable
to the mouth of the Concho, 200 miles
away. The river, they claimed, was also
navlgable for the distance of 125 miles
above Ell Paso for RATS and fiat boats.
Millions of dollars are involved in this
case, and the rights of the United States to
'riminally prosecute citizens of a foreign
country acting under the authority of |
former cabinet officer will be tested.
The right of the interior department to
lsurp the functions of the war depart
nent will also be investigated.
The decision rendered by the attorney
5S"SA"A NAASOVo phou SoAeuiu PIOPpLUy VI
IN English corporation be confiscated
ind that criminal, as we'll as civil prosecu.
ions be commenced at once against the
members of that body. The decision is
If especial Importance because the
corporation has been acting under
authority granted by Hoke Smith while he
vas secretary Of the interior and having
his authority the English corporation
will have grounds on which to ask the
protection of the English government.
The decision was made at the instance of
he state department., which has been
allied upon by the Mexican government
0 explain why the Rio Grande, navigable
iver, was being obstruoted by the build.
ng of an immense dam, an inquiry by the
tate department. led to the discovery that
II the work had been done without any
uthority from the war department., and
MS of itself Is 80 peculiar that an inves.
cation of the workings of the interior
apartment two years ago will be insti-
1ted.