Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1928-11-24
TEXAS DAILY PRESS LEAGUE
FoFeivn Advartiu;rc .rx..-....-
Mexico DEVELOPMENT

n party Of $50 American engineers last week in
spec'ed the Mexican government irrigation project on
ne 40 saiado near Rodriguez, approximately SO miles
south Of Laredo. Most Of the trip was made over
s'SVeled highways the only portion Of the road lacking
topping being a detour. On the Rio salado they found
: huge dam IN the process Of construction, a struc-
ture representing an investment Of approximately ST.
'OO'oOO. They found irrigation works projected 10
serve approximately 10000 acres, Of which amount
100000 acres is high grade agricultural lands and the
remainder can be devoted to production Of forage crops
and grazing.
Less than four years ago the entire area between
Laredo and Monterrey was virtually a Wilderness. the
grazing Of a few cattle being the only industry. Today
y Is rapidly being transformed into one Of the rich
est agricultural areas in the southern republic, an area
which will produce politically and provide the means
81 livelihood for a dense population. To the south
lies the rich mineral regions Of Mexico, merely await
ing a seaport such as Brownsville hopes to offer. 70
assure development OF an immense tonnage. Well
graded and graycled highways now traverse fertile re-
gions which until recently were wholly undeyeloped,
and the Transformation which will &c wrought by trans
portstion facilities and the magic Of irrigation water
will amaze the world.
For half . century industry, commerce, agriculture
and education made little progress IN Mexico, but the
past five years have been marked by a change which
is without precedent south Of the Rio Grande. Much
Of the improvement noticeable IN Mexican conditions,
especially w the northern regions. may Re attributed
to better relations and closer contacts with the United
States. Mexican leaders are not jealous OF the posi-
tion or supremacy this country has assumed On the
western hemisphere. They admire American initiative,
the American educational system, the American spirit,
and throughout tho length and breadth Of the southern
republic they arc striving TO influence the government
and the public 20 emulate the progressive policies
Of the United States in connection with industrial, COM
mercial, agricultural and educational development.
Those familiar with the latent resources Of Mexico
realize what development such as is now under way N
the southern republic means for both that country and
the United states. Mezico ~ Natures treasure house,
\ country richer III natural resources than any similar
area on the globe. The unlocking Of this great store,
for which the entire world is now olamoring, will with
in another generation transform Mexico from a debtor
nation into one Of the most wealthy in the world
With a government firmly established, with 2 close
bond Of friendship between The two republics such "a
has existed for years between the Mexican and Ameri-
can people in the border states, and the Mexican peo-
pe fully cognizgnt or their opportunities, and with
the desire To develop the natural resources, there Is
almost no limit 10 the prosperity they may attain or
the volume az commerce which such prosperity will
generate.