The Coconino sun., 1916-03-31
HEREIN MAY BE THE REAL REASON FOR THE MONEY
 BEHIND VILLA

Cently that SenaUOr ASnurSI, Ol ATT sona, backed by several western sena- tors, has urged President Wilson to renew negotiations with Mexico for the purpose of obtaining a small slice of the northern portion of Mexico. The plan proposed by the Arizona senator is in line with one of the treaties negotiated by James Gadsden, but which was not sent to the senator by President Pierce. Under that treaty Mexico agreed to sell the Unit ed States all that territory lying north of the thirty-frst parallel and the peninsula of Lower California
 Means Support for Arizona
 If this territory could now be obtained. It was pointed out that the western tier of states along the southern boundary of the United States would obtain seaport through Arizona in the Gulf of California.
 In addition, and equally important, all the strategic naval bases, including Magdalena bay, along the coast of the peninsula would pass into possession of the United States.
 President Wilson, of course, made no promises, beyond the mere state ment that he would give the subject consideration.
 This proposed negotiation with Mexico was urged upon the president strongly, Senator Ashurst fortifying himself with number of large maps and plats, throwing much light upon the early negotiations of Gadsden and Illustrating the great value that this territory would be to this country.
 Recalls the Gadsden Purchase
 The treaty of Guadaloupe Hidalgo, negotiated under President Polk, in 1S4S. fixed the Gila river as the southern boundary of the United States, in what is now the state of Arizona.
 The statesmen of the south, looking to the future development of the coun- try and the need of transcontinental railroad communication between the southern section of the United States and the Pacific coast, urged the acqui- sition of additional territory from Mexico. The construction of rail road to the coast along the southern tn nf ha .hxyn nf the country, was deemed practically impossible in that day unless small portion of the northern boundary of Mexico could be obtained.
 Brought Back Three Treaties
 President Pierce, in response to this demand, sent James Gadsden of Ala bama to Mexico to negotiate treaty with this purchase in view. When he returned he had three treaties in his portfolio. These various treaties pro- vided for the sale of territory as fol- lows:
 No 1. Beginning at point south of Fl Paso, where the thirty-frst par allel intersected the Rio Grande, thence west along the thirty-frst par allel to the Gulf of California, in con sideration of the payment of s23,0O0,- 900 in gold.
 No 2. This treaty provided for ex tending the present horizontal south ern boundary of Arizona in straight line to the Gulf of California, for for which this country was to pay s15,000,000 in gold.
 No. 8. This was known as the skeleton" treaty and gave the United States the territory obtained in what subsequently, became known as "the Gadsden purchase" and for which the United States paid s10,000,000 in gold.
 Ratified the Third Treaty
 The president sent treaty No. 8 to the senate on Dec. 30, 1853. It created | a great deal of discussion in the sen ate, and was subjected to many amendments and finally ratified.
 President Pierce never sent in eith- | CT of the alternative propositions, and | the senate had no opportunity to con slider them.
 The proposal of Senator Ashurst now is to revive the stipulations set forth to treaty No. 1, Senator Ashurst has suggested to the president that Mexico be paid reasonable sum in gold, the money to be used to rehabili- tate herself and pay off the claims now standing against Mexico for dam ages by citizens of foreign countries.
 Mexico agreed sixty-three years ago to dispose of this strip for S25,- 100000, but naturally it would be vastly more valuable today.
 A number of senators aware of the suggestion of Senator Ashurst said kLn& l. Los~. s..l AL |