The Arizona sentinel., 1908-12-02
TO MAKE YUMA
 A SEAPORT CITY
By Deepening the Channel of the
 Colorado to the Gulf.
A Feasible Undertaking of Great
 Importance to All Arizona.

Under the heading, Seaport for Arizona, the Arizona
 Gazette of November 26 dis
 courses ably upon the movement
 that now claims much public in-
 ter9st-the deepening of the
 Colorado river from Yuma to the
 Gulf of California-and making
 of Yuma a seaport-a question
 that has been discussed in the
 Sentinel many and different
 times during the last twenty-five years. It's importance becomes
 more evident now on account of
 the rapid development of the country, and the much greater development and increase of pop
 ulation to come within a very few years.
 The Gazette says:
 "Following as a result of the, ,iwar with Mexico and in accord ance with the terms of the treaty of Guadalupe
 Hidalgo negotiated on the part of our government by Nicholas P. Trist, and concluded Feb. ?, 1S48, the United States acquired that portion of Arizona lying north of the Gila river. Later, by virtue of the Gadsden treaty, ne- gotiated by James Gadsden and signed Dec. 90, 1853, was acquired all that portion of what is now the territory of Arizona lying south of the Gila river and bordering on the Mexican line. In the preparation of the articles of the Guadalupe Hidalgo treaty much fore sight was exercised and much wisdom displayed, considering the then very meager reputable information at hand or even ascertainable concerning our territory or it's resources. either min eral or agricultural. It was known, however, that on our western boundary there flowed mighty river, the Colo rado, fed from great mountain snow sheds far to the north, whose crags and peaks are covered with everlasting snow, and advantage of that knowledge was taken to the end that those who by their industry, energy and hardihood would go forth and subdue the wilder ness, subjugate the Indians and re- plenish the treasures of the world by wrestling from its hidden storehouse the mineral wealth there secreted would have as lasting benefit and recompense the use of this great roll ing river from the international boun- dary to the Gulf of California and the use of the gulf itself for a perpetual highway over which to transport their articles of commerce, export and inn port, as their needs might require.
 Hence Article 6 of the treaty of Guad a,upe Hidalgo expressly provides and reserves the uninterrupted right for all time of the vessels of the United States and of its citizens to navigate, without asking the consent of the re- public of Mexico, the Colorado river below the international boundary and the Gulf of California, Article of the Gadsden treaty reiterates reserving these rights.
 "As the greater contains the less, so the right to navigate contains within itself the right to dredge, repair and do all things neeedfuI to the end that navigation may be enjoyed.
 "The wilderness has been reclaimed, the Indian pacifed, everywhere in our territory is heard the pick of the pros pector, and before many years have elapsed the smoke of the shelter will darken every horizon. A fine, lusty, vigorous and aggressive population has found residence within our borders; we are just on the eve of joining the great sisterhood of states, and last but not least, our big ditch, the Panama canal, which promises so much, is well on its way, so much so that it may be stated that it will be completed in less than seven years. Our population is increasing steadily; with statehood it will increase by leaps and bounds. Our mineral country is developing very extensively and rapid ly; with statehood and the benefits be- lieved to be thereto attendant capital will develop ten mines where it now develops enc. These are not idle state- ments, but are supported by facts. Sta tistics of Colorado, Idaho, Utah and other western states which not SO long ago were territories show their truth. 1 It is unnecessary to repeat, but worthy of repetition at all times, that western and southern Arizona is one of the | heavy mineralized sections of the Uni ted States to develop which success fully needs many people, much money, cheap transportation of fuel and plenty of encouragement.
 "The clause in the two treaties re-