The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 104, July 2000 - April, 2001 Page: 19
673 p. : ill. (some col.), maps, ports. ; 23 cm.View a full description of this periodical.
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Redrawing the Southwestern Boundary
In response Mexico proposed that 315 square miles of the lost territo-
ry be restored to Mexico all in one relatively uninhabited place, the re-
maining five square miles to be left to compensate the United States for
its small loss on the California line. This would involve much less ex-
pense and require the removal of only seventeen monuments. Romero's
proposal was to extend 31 47' ten and one-half miles westward from
monument 40, and run a new line south to intersect 31o2o' Sherman
again consulted Barlow, whose observations were sent on to Romere.
Barlow considered Mexico's proposal impractical as it would affect land
ownership involving cattle ranches and mining operations within the
315 square miles. If any adjustment were to be made, Barlow suggested
it occur in southwestern Arizona where Mexico's greatest loss had been
sustained and the land uninhabited, but cautioned that any rectification,
of the line would cause the citizens of Arizona to urge that the change
give them access to the Gulf of California. An extension of 31020o' to the
gulf, Barlow commented, would accomplish this very nicely.16
Barlow delivered his remarks to the department on February 25, 1898,
just ten days after the U.S.S. Maine blew up in Havana harbor. At this
point the discussion abruptly ended as the attention of the United States
was suddenly focused on the Spanish-American War. While Sherman
sent no further remarks to Romero, the Mexican minister declined to re-
spond to Barlow's comments perhaps because it was clear to him that the
position of the United States was firmly against a rectification of the
boundary. Romero, who had been most actively pursuing some recom-
pense for the lost territory, died in 1898 and this has been held as a rea-
son for Mexico's dropping the subject.7 However, Romero's rather
unexpected death did not occur until December 30 of that year, ten full
months after he had received Barlow's remarks. What removed him from
his post was the death of his wife on July 29, requiring a sad journey to
Mexico City from which he did not return until December 5. He certain-
ly had ample time between the destruction of the Maine and his depar-
ture from Washington to press the issue if he had chosen to do so.>s Nor
did the Mexican government give any instructions to Romero's replace-
ment in Washington to resume the discussion. The property disputes
the Department of State, 1834-19o6, Mexico, R.G. 59 (NA). Regarding Sherman's last remark,
consider the Global Positioning System, which is accurate to within inches.
5 Romero to Sherman,Jan. 12, 1898, Notes from the Mexican Legation, R.G. 59 (NA).
, William R Day to Romero, Feb. 17, 1898, ibid.; Barlow to the Department of State, Feb. 25,
1898 (in a memorandum regarding the correspondence between the Department of State and
the Mexican Legation on the issue), ibid.
57 Zorrilla, Monumentacd6n de la frontera, 2 1.
" Romero to the Secretary of State, Aug 4, Dec. 5, 1898, Notes from the Mexican Legation,
R G. 59 (NA).2000
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Texas State Historical Association. The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 104, July 2000 - April, 2001, periodical, 2001; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth101221/m1/47/: accessed April 24, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas State Historical Association.