DECLARATION OF THE PRESIDENT OF MEXICO CLAIMING THE RESOURCES OF THE CONTINENTAL SHELF OFF THE COASTS OF THE REPUBLIC.

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP08C01297R000800230018-2
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 6
• Document Creation Date: December 22, 2016
• Document Release Date: October 3, 2012
• Sequence Number: 18
• Publication Date: October 30, 1945
• Content Type: REPORT

Mexico #702
Declassified and Approved For Release 2012/10/03: -/ CIA-RDP081C01297R00080023..CI4-i)
:.t' /1
THE FOREIGN SERVICE
OF THE
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Mexico, D.F., Mexico, October 30, 1945
UNRESTRICTED - FIRST PRIORITY PCUCH
No, 27,049
Subject: Declaration of the President of Mexico
claiming the resources of the Continental
Shelf off the coasts of the Republic.
The Honorable
The Secretary of State
Washington, D.C..
eillini
,
Sirs
I have the honor to report that Mexico City news-
papers this morning carried front page articles re-
porting a declaration of the President of Mexico dated
October 29, 1945, claiming the sub-soil resources on
O 4
the continental shelf and e right to conserve fishery a,
the
resources wherever may be necessary. El Nacional headlines
its article, "The President, in the name of the Republic,
claims our Continental submarine territory." El
Universal states, "Mexico claims the Continental Shelf
adjacent to its coasts." All of the newspaper articles
print the entire text of the declaration with very
little comment as obviously the statement was received ota
shortly before press time last evening. Editorial P-3
comment has not yet appeared on the subject. 0 /
tl *
There are transmitted herewith clippings from El
Nacional, El Universal and Excelsior. The translation Pb
of the Presidential declaration follows: Ca
"The experience of recent years has evidenced the
growing necessity of countries to preserve those
natural resources that in the past for different
reasons have been outside of their control and
integral utilization.
"As is known the lands that constitute the contin-
ental masses in general do not rise perpendicularly
from the great ocean depths but that they are rested on
a submarine shelf known as the continental shelf, which
is limited by the isobath, that is, the line that
unites points of equal depth, (200 meters) from the
edges of which the slope descends sharply or gradually
to the ocean floor. This shelf constitutes per se
an integral part of the continental countries and
it is neither reasonable, prudent, nor possible that
Mexico ignore jurisdiction and the utilization and
control over the same in the part that pertains to
its territory in the two oceans.
It is not
\
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"It is now known as a result of various scientific
investigations that natural resources, minerals,
liquids and gases, phosphate, calcium, hydro-carbons,
etc., of incalculable value exist in the said contin-
ental shelf and the legal incorporation of which to the
national patrimony is necessary and implacable,
(Ingente e inaplazable).
"On the other hand, it is of equal urgency that the
Mexican State, uhich nature endowed with fishery
resources of extraordinary richness, such as those
that are found, not to mention others, in the maritime
zones along lower California, should be protected,
utilized and developed ih an adequate manner and this
urgency increases at the present time in that the world,
impoverished and in need because of the war imposed by
totalitarianism, must develop its 'food production to
the maximum.
"In the years before the war the Western hemisPhere
had to watch how permanent fishing fleets of countries
outside of the continent dedicated themselves to the
immoderate and exhaustive exploitation of this great
wealth, which although it is certain should be helpful
to the well being of the world, it is evident that it
belongs in the first place to the country that possesses
it and to the continent to which it pertains. By reason
of its inherent nature it is indispensable that this
protection be under the control and vigilance of the
State up to those places or zones indicated by science
for the development of the resources of the high seas
and independently of the distance that separates them
from the coast.
" Founded on these reasons the Government of the
Republic claims all of the platform or continental
shelf adjacent to its toast s and all or 'everyone
of the known and unknown natural resources that may be
found in the same and, (the Government of Mexico) is
proceeding towards the vigilance, utilization and con-
trol of the necessary fishery protection zones for the
conservation of that source of well being. ?
"The foregoing does not signify that the Mexican
Government pretends not to recognize the legitimate
rights of third parties on basis of reciprocity, or
that the rights of free navigation on the high sea
may be effected, Inca much as the only course that it
is pursuing is to conserve these resources for the
national, continental and world well being.
'My government is dictating orders to the competent
authorities, in order that they proceed to formulate
the corresponding legal processes and for the
celebration of the treaties that may be necessary.
Mexico City, Da., October 29, 1945,
The President of the Republic, Manuel Avila Camacho"
Comment
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?
?Comment concerning the above declaration, especially
in reference to the United States' continental shelf,
and 'fishery resources policies and the projected fishery
treaty will be forwarded by separate despatch.
Respectfully your,
For thA Ambassador:
/s/ Paul J. Reveley
Second Secretary of Embassy
Paul J Reveley
Milton J. Lindner/ kf
To the Department in original and foar copies
Entlosures (in duplidate)
Clippings froms
El Nacional
El Universal
Excelsior
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Enclosure No. 1 to Desplatch No. 24,396 of May 10,1945
from American EmbassyL 146x.i.co_o D. F.
OFIC IAL
MAxico, D. F. April 21,.1945
c ? \
-
IfAt'o?
?
4
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DIARIO
OFICIAL
ORGANO DEL GOBIERNO CONSTITUCIONAL DE LOS ESTADOS UNIDOS MEX1CANOS
DIRECTOR: LIC. CARLOS FRANCO SODI
ne.gliirado Couto arllenlo de
2a. clime ed el an. de 1884.
MEXICO., SNBADO .21 DE DE 19.15
Tomo CXLIX
Nim. 45
SUNIA_RIO
PODER EJECUTIVO
SEIDET.A111A 1W1 1011E,1l7, 11E1oN
Deereto que ri-forma Cl tit'irritco V del art-1,mM 27 cons-
RE71117,T.V141A LIE 1-1 E E III{ 11)11 IM
Exerynntur ntimero (.tincedido Cl sotior Francisco till
paym ejorver Its faneiones cilitstil
rio de (Ina temala on AlazatItitn.
Solieltxrd de naturalizitcion mexicana del seltor
(iorodzinski .
Solieitioil do naturitlizachln mexicana del silo! Jost%
Solieitnd de nitturalizactiOn mexicana (1,1 seitor s-
soppo i\tenchelli
EL GOBIERNO SOLO NO PUEDE AUMENTAR LA
PRODUCCION, NECESITA DE Lk COOPERACION DE
TODO MEXICAN() BI.EN NACIDO,
SEEltETARIA DE HACIENDA. Y myopia? PuBLico
cireolar nOintitio 0S-S-27 quo da instrueciones prn
el cumplimionio de lo dispuesto por las fraceiones
I I. V y VI (Ill fIrlic1110 SC (le la Ley sobre Hilados
V Tejidos..
circular niiinetto 20N-9-2i1 one rija las Quotas para ol
cohro dl impuesto sob re prodneciOn de metales,
durant e e iCes do marzio pasado..
que adit?inna In lista do personas coniprendi-
(l)s en la Icy (01St (8 a Propieclades y Negocios
dol Nnemigo con Shinichi y ..1\lasatoshi
Aeiierilo (ill). It lista (10 personas compren-
? didas en It Loy relativa a Propiedades y Nego-
eios del 1:0(111 go coo Pi Suclamericano,
i'ornPliflia rh lleasogliros de Ihronos ires, Argon-
111(1 .. ..
Aeller110 (file la lista de personas compren-
didas en la Lt rolittha a Propiedades y Negoeios
del Enernigtt (Ott las sefioras Anita !labile (le
.iiuellet y kilitonore I fah ne de
(Signe en In pI1glna 2)
POD-ER EJECUTIVO
SECRETARIA DE GOBERNACION
DECRETO one reforma el par rafo V del articulo 27 Cons-
tit uciona I.
Al margen no sello con el Eicudi, Nacional. que dice:
Estados Unidos Mexicanos.?Presidencia de la Republica.
MANUEL AVILA CAMACHO. Presidente Constitucional
de los 'Estados Unidos klexicanos, a sus habitantes,
salted:
(1.1e el II. Congreso de in Union, se ha servido diri,
girme el siguiente
DECRETO:

"El Congreso de los Estados Unidos Alexicanos, en
nzo de in facultad nue le confiere et articulo 135 de la
Constitucion Federal, y previa in aprobaciOn de in mayo-
ria de las Legislaturas de los Estados, declara refor-
mado el parrafo V del artieulo 27 Constitucional, para
(medar en los siguientes terminos:.
ARTICULO UNIC0.?Se reforma el m5.rrafo 59 del
articulo 27 Constitucional, en los siguientes terminos:
"Scn tambien, propiedad de la. Nacion las aguas de los
mams territoriales en In extension y terminos que fija el
La defensa de 13 !Dario exige I
4
urtian y ci trabajo de todos sus hijos
_
SOLICITUD de naturalizacion mexicana del senor Git'.
seppe Menchelli Benedetti.
Al margen un sello que dice: Poder Ejecutivo Fe(
ral.,--Estados Unidos Mexicanos.?Mexico.?Secretaria
Relaciones Exteriores,
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Ammimimumnimmorime-'
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(Signe de
? S CPI Vrt.4 11 IA IDE A 4:111111,1111A V FOMENT()
A viso a los que se consideren areetados eon deslinde
del terra no (-tenon-dna do NI Pa Lcinat a, en Caborea,
13EPA ItTA I Ii:I'(I A latA1414
elleran "s.',1)re inafeetabilidad do la fraoeion 1 en 1a
Sri lit a Mil ri clal V.inccupet,
Resoliteloo. co . expediente do ampliaeidn de ejidos
at poblado El Aguaeate, Estado. de Oaxaca.. ?
Resolucion en el expediente do dotacion de ejidos al
poblado Los Al-4(.1111es, Estado de Veraeru',... 9
Avist-ts .turtieialos y Clonerales a. 10
Derecho Internacional; las de las lagunas y esteros.que
so comuniquen permanente o intermitentemente con el
mar; Las deios lagosinteriOies de formacion natural que
est?? ligados directamente a corrientes constames; las
do los rios y sus afluentes directos. o indirectos, desde el
put-Ito' del cauce en que se inicien las primeras agues
permanentes, intermitentes o torrenciales, haste su des-
embocadura en el mar, lagos, lagunas o esteros de pvopie-
dad nacional; las de la'. corrientes constantes o interm4en-
, tes? y 'sus' afluentes directos o indirectos, cuando el cauce
de aquellas, en toda su extension o en parte de elle, .sirva
de limite al territorio nacional o a dos entidades federa-
Alves, o cuando pase de una entidad federative- a otra o
cruce la linea. divisoria de la Reptiblica; la de los lagos,
lagunas o esteros cuyos vases, zones o riberas esten
ciu-
zadas por lineas divisorias de dos o Inas entiJacies o entre
la -Republica TAM pais vecino, o cuando el limite de las
riberas sirva de liridero entre dos entidades federativas
o a la Republica con un pais vecino; las de los manantia-
les que broten en las playas, zones matitinias, eauces,
vasos o riberas de los lagos, lagunas o e3teros tie people-
dad nacional,- y las que se extruigan tie las minas: Las
agues del subsuelo pueden ser libremente aiumbradas
me-
diante ohms artificiales, y apropiarse por el dueno. del
terreno, peva cuando lo exija, leinteres publico, o se
decten ofros',aprovechamientos.,! el Ejecutivo Federal pa-
- etre re,glamentar su extraccion y utilizaciOn, y atin estable-
cer zonesevedadas, ci igual clue pare las demas ag,uas de
i;ropieciad nacional. Cualesquiera otras agues no ineluidas
.on- la enumeraCiOn. anterior, se consideraren come parts
integrante' de laepropiedad de- los terrenos nor los .que
corrair o en-- los quo se .cncuentren sus depositos, rero Si
localizaren en, dos o mis predios, el aprovecharaiento
tIe estas agues- se considerara de utilidad publica, y quo-
dara. sujeto a las disposiciones que dicten los Estados".
.Miguel Moreno Padilla. D. P.?Eugenio Prado, S. P.?
Eliseo 'Aragon Rebolledo, D. S*---Nabor A. Ojeda, S. S.--
falbricas.
uASCALIENTES. ? Senador: Abelardo Reyes:?
Dipittado: Manuel Moreno Sanchez.? BAJA CAL:I:FOR-
NIA.?Diputado: -Adan Velarde.?CAMPECHE.?Senador:
Eduardo R. Mena COrdova.?Diputados: Pedro Guerrero
Martinez.?Arcadio Che Canche.?COAHUILA.?Senador:
Joaquin Martinez ChaVarra.?Diputados: Francisco Lopez
Serrano.?Eduardo B. Alvarado.?Ranl Lopez Sanchez.?
COLIMA.?Senadores: Miguel G. Santa Ana.?Conrado
SA
abil de 191r).
Torres Ortiz.?Dipufado:, Ruben Vizcarra.?CHIAPAS.?
Senador: Emilio Araujo.?Diputados: Andres Serra Rojas.
?Jos?antaleen Dominguez..--Erancisco Jos?irelo.?
Rafael Jimenez Boldn.?CHIHUAHUA.?Senadores: Eu-
genio Prado.?Benjamin Almeida, Jr.?Diputado: TeOfilo
It. Borunda.?DISTR1TO FEDERAL.?Senador: Alfonso
Sanchez Madariaga.?Diputados: Francisco Linares T.?
Filemen Manrique.?Ruffo Figueroa Figueroa.?Juan Best
-Garcia. ?Roberto, Aguilera Carbajal.? Antonio Ulibarri
Camacho.?DURANG0.--Senadores: Maximo Garcia Con-
treras.?Salvador Franco Urias.?Diputados: Jose Dona-
ciano Sosa.? Miguel Breceda. ?Juan Manuel Tinoco.?
GUANAJUATO. ? Senador: Rafael Rangel.? Diputados:
Fernando Mora,?Federico Medrano Valdivia.?Fernando
Diaz Duran.?Jose R. Velazquez Nuiio,Francisco. Garcia
Carranza.?Guillermo Aguilar y Maya.?GUERRER0.?
Scnadores: Nabor A. Ojeda.?Arturo- Martinez Adame.?
Piputados: Jose Maria Suarez Tellez.?Carlos F. Carranco
Cardoso.?Donato Miranda Fonseca.?HIDALGO.?Sena-
clores: Fernando Cruz Chavez.?Vicente Aguirre.--Diputa-
do: Daniel Olguin Diaz.?JALISCO.?Senadores:. Esteban
Garcia de Alba.?Abraham Gonzalez.?Diputados: Alberto
Velazquez.?Miguel Moreno Padilla.?Heliodoto Hern?
dez ? Loza.--Fidencio -Vazquez Cerda.?Adalberto Ortega
I-Wizen?Ignacio Luis Velazquez dela P.--Jorge Confreres
Bobadilla.--Jose de Jesits Ascension Andrade
Lerumen.? MEXICO.? Senodores: Alfonso Flores M. ?
Augusto Hinojosa.?Diputados: Antonio Manero.?Jos?.
Izquierdo.-t'Eederico S. Sanchez.?MICHOACA N.-- Sena-
dores: Antonio Mayes Navarro.?J. Trinidad Garcia G.?
Diputado: Jos?avala Ruiz.?MORELOS.?Senadores: Vi-
cente CamPos.? Fernando Amilpa.?Diputados Manuel
Aianda.?--Eliseo Aragon Rebolledo.?NAYARIT.?Senado-
-ies? Evaristo Jimenez Valdez.?Luis Aranda.del Toro.?
Diputado: Alberto Tapia Carrillo.--NUEVO LEON.?Di-
putado: JulEin Garza Tijerina.? OAXACA.? Senadores:
Ileliodoro Charis Castro,?Fernando Magro Soto.?Diputa-
dos: Demetrio Flores Fagoaga.?Melquiades Ramirez.?
Francisco Lopez Cortes.?Norberto- Aguirre;?Jose Larra-
zabal Gonzalez.? PUEBLA.? Senadores: Noe Lecona.--
Rosendo Cortes.?Diputados: Antonio J. Hernandez.?Cos-
me Aguilera Alvarez.?Andres Rabago Castellanos.?Al-
fun) M. Moreyra.?QUERETAR0.?Senadores: Jo36 Pe-
rez Tejeda.?Isidro ZUniga Solorzano.?Diputados: Eduar-
do Luque Loyola.--Gilberto Garcia.?QUINTANA 'ROO.--
Liputado:. Arturo ?Gonzilez Villarreal.?SAN LUIS PO-
TOSL?Senadores: Leon Garcia.?Gilberto Flores -Munoz.
--Dipuados: Luis Jimenez Delgado.?Manuel ? Chairez.?
Victor Alfonso. Maldonado.?SINALOA.?Senador: 'Ale-
jandro Pei-ie.? Diputados: Faust? A. Marin.? Bernardo
.Morzeg;aray.? SONORA.? Senador: Francisco Martinez
Peralta.? Diputados:' Figueroa. ee- Saturnino A.
Saldivar.?TABASGO.?Senadores: Heberto Sala Rueda.
7--Alfonso Gutierrez Gurria.?Dinutado: Nicolas Valenzue-
la Quintana.7--TAMAULIPAS.?Senadores: Abel ?segue-
ra Alvarez.?Genovevo Martinez.?Diputados: Felix Cabe-
lies Hernandez.?Graciano Sanchez.?TLAXCALA.?Sena-
dores: Manuel Hoyo Castro.?Rafael Avila.?VERACRUZ.
?Senad.ores: Vidal Diaz Munoz.?Adolfo E. Ortega.?Di-
putados: Manuel Jasso.?Rafael Murillo VidaL?Gorgonio
-Quesnel .Acosta.?Genaro Lapa.?Benito Coquet.?Manuel
Martinez Ch.?YUCATAN.?Senadores: Jos?astillo To-
' .rre.?Florencio Palorno:Valencia..77 Diputados: Mauricio
Ese-obedo Granados.?Laureeno- Cardes .Ruz.?Alvaro Vi-
vas Marfil.?ZACATECAS.?eSenadores: Lamberto Elias.
,?Adrian Morales 'Salas.?Dipntados:. Rafael_ Lopez AV,?
Lrigido -Reyrioso.?jestis? Ma., 'Garcia Martinez.?RUbricas".
? .likr.,"Cumplintierito -de lodispuesto por la fracciOn I
,del artietilo '89 de la.Constitticion Pelitica de los Estados
TY,Oidos Mexicanos, y pare su debida publicaciOn y ?obser-
vancia, expido el presente Decreto en la residencia del
Poder Ejecutivo Federal, en la chided de Mexico, D. F., a
los quince dias detl mes de enero de mil novecientos cua-
renta y cinco.?Manuel Avila Camacho.?RUbrica.?El Se-
cretario de Estado y del Despacho de GobernaciOn, Mi-
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