Ladysmith news-budget. [volume] (Ladysmith, Rusk County, Wis.) 1907-1927, 1919-05-16

those suits. I have the honor, gentle
men, to introduce, Senior de la Vega"
Ladies'" bowed the Mexican. Seen
tlemen, Mr.. Chairman. 1t is with an
appreciation of the honor that / ac-
copied for today the invitation of MIR.
Marshall to speak before you, to speak
to you; l must tell you first my
thought as l sat there and looked at
you, the youth, the flower of the Amer
lean people. A few years ago, we
were calling this the great Colorado
desert; now, the world calls it the
dollhouse of America. This theater
is built over the bones of gold-seekers,
who dared death in this dreaded
desert to find what was buried in
those mountains beyond. The man,
| say, who crossed this desert, took
the hazard of death. 1t was a coun-
TRUMAN of mine who pilOted. fifteen
years ago, little band Of men, across
the desert Perhaps he carlped on
this very spot. 1t is not impossible!
1t is here, perhaps, that he got his
inspiration. He saw a wonderful ter
ritOry; he dreamed to quicken it with
the useless waters of tile Colorado.
You will all agree that it was Gull
lermO Estrada who dreamed the dream
that has come true; that it was
through him that some of your cOun-
trymen secured their privilege to re-
claim this land. Later. when one of your
countrymen found he could not fulfill
his promise to you, the promise to de-
liver water to your ranches, he came
to my nation and got permission to cut
into the river on our territory. Most
gladly did Porfrio Diaz grant that
privilege. For that, today, you are
suing him. This, 1 am told, is your
complaint"
His abrupt pause betrayed a con-
fused murmur of voices. De Ia Vegas
polite ear tried to differentiate the
phrases. There was tumble of sound.
De la Vega looked inquiringly at BsO-
cock, who waved him on.
1T has nothing TO do with the his
tory, but | would like to say in passing
that so assured were your people of
our friendly feeling toward you that
they did not wait to receive permits
sion from Mexico to make the cut.
Your people were in a hurry. Your
crops were in danger First the lack
of water, then too much water dam
aged your valley. A few acres
A voice from the crowd cried out,
ga few acres? Thousands of acres"
Instantly others were on their feet.
Thousands of acres. Ruin" One man
was shouting himself apoplectic.
Babcocks gavel sounded sharp
staccatO on the table.
thousands of acres" De la Vega
was unruffied. "And more than that.
The valley, it must be remembered.
does not stop at the line. Mexican
lands, too, have been secured by the
action the result of the action of your
irrigation comps ny. 1t was a mutual"
he paused, and quaint word came to
his need "a mutual bereavement. 1t
did not occur to us to accuse you OF
our troubles. Your damage suits panied
and astonished us. But they gave us
also suggestion.
Tie rustling and the murmurs sud
ed on De la Vega. ''YOu have been adj.
viscd to sue us. To sue us for giving
you that concession Therefore, the
only answer is for us to withdraw that
concession! You accuse US, for CIV
ing il to YOU That concession is val
liable. What else can we do? Before
your damage suits were filed, we were
approached by others for the same
privilege. If you do not withdraw
your suits, my nation sends word to
YOU that you may not take water from
the Colorado river through Mexican
soil. You will not be without water
probably long; / have said that con-
cession is valuable! Other arrange
ments will probably be made SO that
the valley will be given water. / would
ike to take your answer to my govern
ment."
It was several seconds before the
house got it's breath. The import of
The diplomats words was astounding.
Barton got to his feet, yelling with his
great bass voice, Betrayed" His
shrunken finger indicated a youth with
''R. S." in black letters on his collar.
The valley has been betrayed"
In the balcony, the uproar was deaf
aning. Around Hardin and Brandon
words were thudding like bullets.
Reclamation Service" "That's their
game 1.-THE concession! !" ''They
won't get it," betrayed. We are be-
trayed"
Downstairs, Babcock's gavel raped
unheard Behind the excited figure
welding the stick, sat Marshall, his
unreadable, sweet smile on his face.
His eyes We're on Babcock, who was
yainly clamoring for order. Program
that meeting"
HOLSTER was trying to make him
golf hnord RI RortOn oypr two rows of