tional conference, attended as it would be by competent technical advisers and offering an opportunity for a free exchange of views, would afford the best means of reaching an eventual solution of this perplexing problem. I have [etc.] 883.05/289 FRANKLIN MOTT GUNTHER The Chargé in Egypt (Wadsworth) to the Secretary of State No. 90 CAIRO, December 7, 1928. SIR: I have the honor to refer to my last despatch No. 89 of December 1st, 1928, on the subject of the Egyptian Government's proposals of December 25th, 1927, and October 28th, 1928, for the extension of the penal jurisdiction of the Mixed Tribunals and for certain modifications of the Organic Law (Règlement d'Organisation Judiciaire) of those courts. With that despatch I had the honor to submit a copy of the text, with translation, of the reply to the Egyptian proposals made under date of November 22nd, 1928, by my French Colleague.24 24 I now have the honor to submit herewith a copy, with translation, of the text of the Italian reply to the Egyptian Government's proposals. This reply was delivered, under date of December 4th, 1928, by my Italian Colleague, to the Egyptian Minister for Foreign Affairs. It will be observed that, while the original text of the Italian Note is somewhat involved, its general sense is identical with that of the French reply. The only differences are that the Italian Note lays particular stress upon the desirability of informal conversations and refrains from pointing out specifically the measures which the Italian Government would wish to see taken by the Egyptian Government before the latter's proposals can receive final official consideration. Inasmuch as this Note is in substance identical with the French reply I feel that I may properly limit my comment to stating that such observations as I had the honor to submit with respect to the French position are, in my opinion, equally applicable to that taken by the Italian Government. I may add that I have just learned from unofficial sources that the Egyptian Minister for Foreign Affairs is somewhat disturbed by the conflicting attitudes taken on the one hand by Lord Lloyd and on the other by the Franco-Italian group. I shall take early occasion to endeavor to verify this report, for I believe that, if true, it may lead "Not printed. to a situation embarrassing both to Lord Lloyd and to the Egyptian Government. Should this prove to be the case it may be that such reply as I may be directed to make to the Egyptian Notes of December 25th, 1927, and October 28th, 1928, will prove to be of more than passing importance in shaping the attitude of the Egyptian Government. I have [etc.] For the Minister: GEORGE WADSWORTH First Secretary of Legation APPOINTMENT OF AN AMERICAN REPRESENTATIVE ON THE INTERNATIONAL QUARANTINE BOARD AT ALEXANDRIA 883.12/32 The Secretary of State to the Minister in Egypt (Howell) No. 307 WASHINGTON, March 2, 1927. SIR: With reference to the Legation's despatch No. 588 of February 7, 1925,25 and to other correspondence concerning the desire of the Government of the United States to be represented on the International Quarantine Board at Alexandria, Egypt, it may be stated for your information that on October 8, 1925, the Department indicated to the French Government 26 its desire that a place be given for this subject. on the agenda of the International Conference held in Paris in May, 1926, for the purpose of revising the International Sanitary Convention of January 17, 1912.27 The Department also instructed the delegates of the United States to the Conference 28 to make known in an appropriate manner the importance which this Government attached to such representation and to its recognition by the revised International Sanitary Convention. It was indicated that this Government desired such representation in order to be in a position to protect its growing shipping interests and the public health of the United States. In accordance with the Department's instructions, the American representatives took up this matter at the Conference. It is understood that the Conference decided that this Government should take up this question directly with the Egyptian Government and that the Egyptian Delegation to the Conference expressed its interest in the matter of American representation on the Quarantine Board and requested that this Government approach the Egyptian Government directly on the subject. You are accordingly instructed to communicate with the American Consuls in Egypt with a view to obtaining from them information regarding the amount of shipping between the United States and Egypt and the amount of shipping which passes through the Suez Canal bound for the United States. You should also endeavor to obtain information regarding the number of American tourists who annually visit Egypt or countries beyond the Suez Canal or adjacent thereto. After obtaining the information indicated you should bring this matter to the attention of the appropriate Egyptian authorities indicating the vital interest of the United States in the administration of the maritime quarantine as a protection not only to its growing shipping interests but also to the public health in the United States against diseases which may be carried to its ports by vessels from the Near East. You should support your statement by figures obtained from the American consular officers in Egypt concerning the shipping and tourist traffic and you should express the hope that in view of the facts you have presented the Egyptian Government may find it convenient to grant to the Government of the United States the privilege of being represented on the International Quarantine Board at Alexandria. You should take no steps to make any appointment nor should you suggest to the Egyptian Government any candidate for the position except under instructions from the Department. I am [etc.] For the Secretary of State: 883.12/32 The Secretary of State to the Chargé in Egypt (Winship) No. 326 WASHINGTON, August 29, 1927. SIR: The Department refers to its special written instruction No. 307 of March 2, 1927, with respect to the desire of this government to be represented on the International Quarantine Board at Alexandria, Egypt, and desires to draw your attention to the fact that its files contain no record of the receipt of a reply thereto. It is desired consequently that you report by mail regarding the present status of the matter, informing the Department at the same time of the nature of such action as may have been taken by the Legation in compliance with the instruction mentioned above. I am [etc.] For the Secretary of State: 883.12/36 The Chargé in Egypt (Winship) to the Secretary of State No. 203 CAIRO, March 3, 1928. SIR: I have the honor to refer to Instruction number 326, dated August 29, 1927, file 883.12/32, with respect to the desire of the American Government to be represented on the International Quarantine Board at Alexandria, Egypt. At the time it was found that nothing had been done in this connection by the Legation, and I began a detailed study of the matter in which I was assisted by Mr. Geist and Major Thomson, President of the Sanitary Council of Maritime Quarantine of Egypt. There was considerable delay, owing to Major Thomson's absence from the country, and it will also be remembered that the Prime Minister, who in the present Cabinet is also Minister of the Interior, was in Europe until the latter part of November. On December 28th I saw the Prime Minister in this connection and left with him an Aide Memoire covering fully the American Government's request, supported by tables of statistics, which he promised to study. On February 16th, having heard nothing further in this matter, I addressed another note to the Prime Minister, renewing the request mentioned above, and several days later I saw him and he assured me that the Egyptian Government had taken a definite decision in the matter and that America would be granted representation on the International Quarantine Board at Alexandria but that it might take some time for it to go through. I feel that this is encouraging and that the above request will be granted within a reasonable time. I have [etc.] 883.12/37 NORTH WINSHIP The Chargé in Egypt (Winship) to the Secretary of State No. 261 CAIRO, May 18, 1928. SIR: I have the honor to report that a Sanitary Conference was held last month at Port Sudan looking to the extension of the organization of the Regional Bureau of Sanitary Information for the International Quarantine Board at Alexandria. This Conference was attended by delegates from the Governments of French Somaliland, Italian Somaliland, the Sudan and Egypt. Aside from the question of rapid transmission to the Bureau at Alexandria of all information concerning epidemics, the Conference examined proposals for the organization of short voyages for the pilgrims in the Red Sea district, the Quarantine Council having been charged with the establishment of regulations governing these voyages. The definition given to "short voyages" was those of less than twentyfour hours, such as the voyage between Souakin and Djeddah, or between Yembo and Djeddah. It was decided to prohibit the use of sail boats for these voyages. Pourparlers were entered into with the chief medical officer of the Government of the Hedjaz, and steps will be taken through the Egyptian Ministry for Foreign Affairs looking to the participation of the Hedjaz in the Regional Bureau at Alexandria in order that it may easily obtain information regarding epidemics in Arabia. In the meantime it is understood that Major Thomson of the Alexandria Quarantine Board has made arrangements with the Egyptian, English, and Dutch Consuls at Djeddah, as well as with the doctors who accompany the pilgrims, to furnish the Bureau with telegraphic advice regarding the health condition of the pilgrims. In this connection, the Legation is still pressing for the admission of an American representative on the International Quarantine Board at Alexandria, and delay is apparently due to the demoralization and confusion in the Ministry of the Interior since the return of Sarwat Pasha from Europe last Summer, as very little has been accomplished owing to the failure of the conversations in London, the Ministerial crisis, the change of Government, and the heated discussions over the Assemblies Law. It will be remembered that the Prime Minister of Egypt in the previous, as well as the present Cabinet, was also Minister of the Interior. As reported, I have the assurance of the present Prime Minister that the matter will receive sympathetic consideration and attention as soon as possible. I have [etc.] NORTH WINSHIP 883.12/38: Telegram The Chargé in Egypt (Winship) to the Secretary of State ALEXANDRIA, June 22, 1928—1 p. m. 24. American representation International Quarantine Board approved by this Government. Name and record of proposed delegate requested. See article 2 khedivial decree of June 19, 1893. Despatch follows. WINSHIP |