No. 649.
Mr. Beardsley to Mr. Fish.
Cairo, February 13, 1875. (Received March 12.)
Sir: I have the honor to inform you that the Hellenic government has finally given in its adhesion to the project of judicial reform in Egypt, and that Greece will be represented in the new tribunals by two judges who will have seats in the courts of first instance.
M. Manos, the consul-general of Greece in Egypt, demands, in consideration of the size and importance of the Greek colony in Egypt, that his government be permitted to appoint a judge and a substitute as provided by the Franco-Egyptian convention. The Egyptian government answers that the said convention only applies to the great powers, but that if any of the great powers decline to take advantage of the provision which permits them to appoint magistrates, Greece may be permitted to fill the vacancy by appointing a Greek magistrate and substitute.
M. Manos approached me on the subject a few days ago, for the purpose of discovering whether we would appoint a judge and substitute or not. I answered that we probably would, but that I had no information from you on the subject as yet. Whatever we may do in the matter, at this time, I presume that we will not relinquish to any other government any of our rights under the Franco-Egyptian or other convention.
The French Assembly has not taken final action in regard to judicial reform as yet, and considerable anxiety is felt here as to the result, as the project is now so far advanced that it must go forward even should France refuse to participate in the reform.
* * * * * * *
I am, &c.,