No. 799.
Mr. Beardsley to Mr. Fish.

No. 221.]

Sir: I have the honor to inclose herewith copies and translation of a correspondence which has taken place between this office and his excellency Cherif Pasha, minister of justice, in relation to the formation of a special tribunal for the trial of cases pending at the time the new courts shall be organized and go into operation.

As the result of several conversations on the subject, his excellency sent me his first letter, (inclosure No. 1,) by which you will perceive that a protocol has been signed by the representatives of Austria-Hungary and of Egypt, providing for the formation of a special tribunal, to consist of a court of first instance and a court of appeal, before which the claimants will be invited to bring their cases within a delay of three months from the organization of the new tribunals.

This special tribunal will, in its deliberations, be governed by the rules of procedure laid down for the new tribunals, but will base its judgments upon the laws and legal customs in vigor at the time the claims originated.

Claimants who fail to take advantage of this privilege may always resort to the regular new tribunal, which, in such cases, will base their decisions upon the laws and legal customs in vigor at the time the claims originated, instead of upon the laws of the new code. Thus far all appears to be plain and simple. The statement, however, that the special court or chamber of first instance and the special court or chamber of appeal were both to be “composed by the corps of magistrates sitting in Egypt, of judges “belonging to the tribunal or to the court,” did not appear to me to be sufficiently clear and definite, and I addressed a note to the minister, (inclosure No. 2,) asking for either a copy of the protocol in question or a résumé of its provisions, especially of those provisions relating to the number and nationality of the judges.

His excellency the minister answered (inclosure No. 3) by sending me a translation of the adhesion of the government of Austria-Hungary to the protocol.

You will observe by a reference to this translation that the entire matter of the organization of these special courts is disposed of as follows: The claimants will be invited to present “their regular claims to [Page 1194] a senate, established for this purpose by the tribunal of first instance, from the decision of which it will be legal for the parties to appeal to a senate or a tribunal of appeal delegated for this purpose. The composition of these colleges of first and second instance will be made by the respective tribunals themselves, and in the manner which has been proposed in general for the composition of the senate.”

This leaves the matter in as much uncertainty as before, so far as the all important question of the nationality and number of the personnel of the special courts are concerned.

Cher if Pasha informs me that the members of the special courts in question will be of the same nationality and number as of the regular new tribunals, that, in fact, the special courts and the regular courts of the new tribunals will be practically the same.

The negotiations between Austria-Hungary and Egypt were carried on between Nubar Pasha and Mr. Ceschirii, the agent and Consul-general of Austria. Both Nubar Pasha and Mr. Ceschini are now out of Egypt.

Besides myself, there are but three consuls-general now in Egypt: those of England, France, and Italy; the remainder of the seventeen being on leave of absence. Neither England nor Italy have yet formally accepted the protocol, for the reason that its provisions are not sufficiently clear. France could not accept it, as she has not accepted the reform itself.

We are but little interested in the matter ourselves, having but few old cases to be settled. So soon as Mr. Ceschini returns, however, I will obtain a copy of the protocol itself and forward to you; it may be more satisfactory than the communications I have the honor to inclose herewith.

I will also be careful to inform you what action Great Britain takes in the matter.

Illness has prevented me from forwarding the papers herewith inclosed at an earlier date.

I am, &c.,

E. BEARDSLEY.
[Inclosure 1 in No. 221.—Translation.]

Cherif Pasha to Mr. Beardsley.

Mr. Agent and Consul-general: In the verbal and written communications which have been exchanged between the respective authorities in regard to the judiciary reform, it has often been a question to determine the proper course to follow in regard to the settlement of claims actually pending.

The necessity of some action in this regard being based upon the idea that the jurisdiction of the new tribunals can only be exercised in principle for the future, and that consequently the past must be regulated after a special and well-determined process, different propositions have been made in regard to this matter.

One of these propositions, proposed by the agent and Consul-general of Italy, consisted in referring the decision of the claims to a commission, formed as a chamber of I last resort, and pronouncing judgment in accordance with the laws in vigor, and chosen by the Egyptian government from among the judges called to form, the new tribunals.

The government of the Khedive was quite disposed to accept this proposition, which furnished the means of putting an end to the difficulties and to the complications which these claims constantly give rise to, and which the parties interested always endeavor to remove from the regular way of the tribunals, to place upon a ground where this government cannot follow.

The agents and consuls-general of Germany, England, Austria-Hungary, and Russia, equally impressed with the necessity of terminating these difficulties, showed themselves quite favorable to the formation of the proposed commission, which, while constituting [Page 1195] a special tribunal, should not, however, resemble in any manner a tribunal, of arbitration which the Egyptian government could not accept.

This proposition, so closely connected with the question of the reform, has often arisen in the discussions which have taken place on this subject.

Penetrated yourself with the importance of the subject, you have always appeared disposed, Mr. Agent and Consul-general, to lend to this end your loyal assistance for the application of some means which, in principle, might harmonize and unite all opinions.

During the long negotiations of which the reform has been the occasion this subject has been studied and examined, and the proposition has finally resulted in the following understanding between the government of Austria-Hungary and the government of the Khedive.

In a protocol signed by the agent and Consul-general of Austria-Hungary and by the Egyptian government the claimants will be invited to present, within a delay of three months from the organization of the new tribunals, their claims before a special chamber of first instance and another special chamber of appeal, both composed, by the corps of magistrates sitting in Egypt, of judges belonging to the tribunals or to the court.

This tribunal and this court, while judging in accordance with their own rules of procedure, will base their judgment on the laws and customs in vigor at the time the claims originated.

Those claimants who do not take advantage of this right within the fixed delay may always present their demands to the new regular tribunals, which will judge in accordance with the new rules of procedure, but will base their judgment on the laws and legal custom actually in vigor.

Such is, Mr. Agent and Consul-General, the result of the communications exchanged between the government of Austria-Hungary and the Egyptian government, notably under the dates of February 18 and May 23, last.

As you will remark, this arrangement rests upon the fundamental idea which served as the base of the first proposition, and which referred the judgment of pending reclamations to the magistrates chosen among the judges of the new tribunals.

But, aside from the general resemblance to the first proposition, the agreement arrived at presents some points of difference containing so many advantages, that their importance cannot escape your attention.

In effect, according to the terms of this agreement, it is no longer simply a question of a decision rendered in last resort, that is to say, passed by a single decree of jurisdiction and announced by a commission or special tribunal chosen by the Egyptian government from among the magistrates composing the new tribunal; it is now a decision rendered in first instance and in appeal, that is to say, passed by two degrees of jurisdiction, and emanating from special chambers of first instance and of appeal, composed, by the same corps of magistrates, of judges belonging to the tribunals of first instance and of appeal.

The advantages of the mode of procedure established by the last arrangement are therefore evident, and the decision rendered by the magistrates thus designated and proceeding like ordinary tribunals with the conditions of publicity, appeal, &c, which form the base of all serious judgment, seems to present all the guarantees desirable, whether for the interested or for the judges themselves; guarantees which would not exist in a tribunal of arbitration sitting, so to say, with closed doors and without publicity or appeal.

Thus, Mr. Agent and Consul-general, the government of Austria-Hungary has completely accepted this mode of procedure which the government of the Khedive was the first to sustain as being the best and most regular.

The Government of the United States, which holds the sentiment of justice so high, will, without doubt, equally recognize that the way indicated in the agreement with the government of Austria-Hungary is really the most sure and the most proper to preserve every interest in principle.

In charging me to request you, Mr. Agent and Consul-general, to be so good as to submit this agreement to the kind attention of your Government, His Highness hopes that the Government of the United States will not hesitate to join its adhesion to that of the government of Austria-Hungary; and thus will cease all the embarrassments which pending reclamations have given rise to.

Accept, &c,

CHERIF.
[Inclosure 2 in No. 221.]

Mr. Beardsley to Cherif Pasha.

Monsieur le Minister: I have had the honor to receive your communication of the 20th ultimo, in relation to the formation of a special tribunal for the consideration of [Page 1196] unsettled cases which may he pending when the new judicial tribunals shall go into operation.

Your excellency says with truth that the necessity of some action in this direction is based upon the fact that the jurisdiction of the new tribunals can only extend, in principle, to the future, and that, consequently, the past must be regulated after a special and well-determined process.

In the course of the long negotiations which have taken place between the government of His Highness and the other powers in relation to judicial reform this question has often arisen, and different propositions have been made in regard to it.

The representatives in Egypt of Germany, England, Italy, Russia, and Austria have all shown themselves favorably disposed toward the formation of some kind of a commission, which, while constituting a special tribunal, shall not in any manner resemble a tribunal of arbitration, which the Egyptian government could not accept.

Your excellency proceeds to say that after long and careful study and examination of the subject, a final arrangement has been entered into between the government of Austria-Hungary and that of His Highness the Khedive, and a protocol on the subject has been signed by the Consul-general of Austria-Hungary and by the Egyptian government.

By the terms of this protocol the claimants will be invited to present their cases, within a delay of three months after the establishment of the new tribunals, before a special chamber of original resort and another special chamber of appeal, both composed, by the body of magistrates sitting in Egypt, of judges belonging to the tribunals or to the courts, (“les réclamants seront invités a présenter dansun dédai de trois mois à partir de I’installation des nouveaux tribuneaux, leurs instances regulières devant une chambre spéciale en prémière instance, et une autre chambre spéciale en appeal, composeés l’une et l’autre par le corps de la magistrature siégeant en Egypte, de judes appartenant aux tribuneaux on a la cour.”)

This tribunal and this court will be governed in their deliberations by their own rules of procedure, but they will base their judgments upon the laws and customs in vigor at the time the actions originated.

The claimants who do not profit by this right within the delay fixed will always be permitted to bring their claims before the regular new tribunals, which in the consideration of such claims will be governed by their own rules of procedure, but will base their judgments upon the laws and legal customs in vigor at the time the actions originated.

After pointing out the advantages of this manner of disposing of such cases as may be pending at the time of the inauguration of the new tribunals, your excellency invites me to submit the terms and conditions of the protocol in question to the attention of the Government of the United States, and expresses the hope that the United States will not hesitate to give its adhesion to an arrangement so well calculated to settle all differences and remove all embarrassments resulting from reclamations now pending.

In reply to your excellency’s dispatch, I have the honor to say that the general idea of disposing of all claims now pending, or of those which may originate before the organization of the new tribunals, by the means of a special commission or tribunal appointed for that purpose, seems to be a practical solution of an embarrassing question.

In regard to the arrangement entered into with the government of Austria-Hungary, the provisions of the protocol are not fully explained in your excellency’s dispatch.

That I may arrive at a just understanding of the terms of the protocol, so as to be able to submit them clearly to the consideration of the Government of the United States, I have the honor to request that I may be either furnished with a copy of the protocol, or a résumé of its provisions; especially of those provisions relating to the number and nationality of the judges composing the tribunal and court of appeal.

Accept, &c, &c,

BEARDSLEY.
[Inclosure 3 in No. 221.—Translation.]

Cherif Pasha to Mr. Beardsley.

Mr. Agent and Consul-general: I have received the dispatch which you have done me the honor to address to me under date of the 18th instant, in response to mine of the 20th of June, on the subject of the formation of a special tribunal to which shall be referred affairs now pending, and those which may arise before the organization of the new tribunals.

I hasten to respond to the desire which you have expressed to me, by transmitting to you, herewith, a copy of the translation of the adhesion of the government of Austria-Hungary, [Page 1197] which has been communicated to the government of His Highness the Khedive, by the agent and Consul-general, Mr. Ceschini:

“In a protocol signed by the agent and Consul-general in the name of the government of Austria-Hungary, on the one hand, and by the competent authority in the name of the Egyptian government, on the other hand, the parties claimants will be invited to present, within a delay agreed upon, fixed at three months, for example, their regular claims to a senate, established for the purpose by the tribunal of first instance, from the decision of which it will be legal for the parties to appeal to a senate, or a tribunal of appeal delegated for this purpose.

“The composition of these colleges of first and second instance will be made by the respective tribunals themselves, and in the manner which has been proposed in general for the composition of the senates.

“The decisions will be based upon the laws and legal customs actually in vigor.

“The Egyptian government, on the one hand, and the parties who may take advantage of this right, on the other hand, will submit absolutely to the sentences of these tribunals, which will be executed after having been passed in judgment, in conformity to the rules of the statute of organization.

“Those claimants who do not take advantage of this right within the fixed delay may always present their claims to the new regular tribunals, which, in pronouncing judgment in accordance with the forms of the new procedure, will base their decisions upon the laws and legal customs actually in vigor.”

I hope, Mr. Agent and Consul-general, that the text which precedes will enable you to enlighten your Government in regard to the proposition which I have had the honor to make to you relative to pending affairs.

Accept, &c.,

CHERIF.