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cavations do not exceed 200,000 cubic metres, will be made directly by 

 the Board as soon as the other portion of the canal has been finished; 

 this last section of the work is expected to be finished in June, 1898, 

 when the waters of the City of Mexico will leave the valley by the 

 drainage works here mentioned. 



The canal and six-mile tunnel through the mountain range have 

 a total length approaching fifty miles. The present works will take 

 rank with the great achievements of modern times, just as the immense 

 " cut " of Nochistongo, their unsuccessful predecessor, was the leader 

 among ancient earthworks in all the world. The completed system will 

 have cost $20,000,000. 



I have dwelt on these works at some length, because their import- 

 ance to the City of Mexico can hardly be overestimated. Instead of 

 being one of the healthiest cities in the world, as it should be with its 

 magnificent climate and situation, Mexico, unfortunately, has a terribly 

 heavy death-rate, due principally to want of drainage and generally 

 bad sanitary condition. When the existing danger of floods is removed, 

 and the sanitary evils are remedied by a proper system of drainage, 

 the increased security that will be enjoyed by life and property will 

 certainly have its effect on the prosperity of the city. Property will 

 rise in value, the population will grow with rapidity, not to mention 

 the tide of tourists that will set in from the United States, and this will 

 mean larger revenues for the municipality. 



I could not well finish this paper without paying General Diaz, 

 President of Mexico, a just tribute for the great interest he has taken 

 in having this gigantic work brought to a close during his administra- 

 tion. To his exertions in this regard, and to his commanding position 

 in Mexico, more than to anything else, this happy result, now in 

 sight, is due. So after a weary search of centuries for relief, the 

 beautiful Valley of Mexico will gain its deliverance not only from the 

 engulfing floods, but from the sanitary evils which have long resulted 

 from defective drainage. 



