[Enclosure]
The British Secretary of State for Foreign
Affairs (Curzon) to the American
Chargé (Wright)
[London,] October 12,
1920.
No. E 12275/509/16Sir: I have the honour to refer to the note
which I addressed to the United States Ambassador on 15th July,
laying before His Excellency certain proposals for the reform of the
Mixed Courts in Egypt which it was desired to bring into force by
November 1st next.
Conversations with the Egyptians have shown that a little longer time
will be necessary to make the required arrangements for the
introduction of the scheme in question and the Egyptian Government
have therefore decided on the advice of His Majesty’s Government to
request the Powers concerned to agree to the prolongation of the status quo for a further period of six
months, and the necessary steps are being taken in Cairo to this
end.
As a vacancy has been caused among the number of judges in the Court
of Appeal by the retirement of Judge Tuck and as it is desired to
replace him by another American judge, I have the honour to request,
on behalf of the Egyptian Government, that you will
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move the United States Government to
suggest a suitable successor of equal eminence.
The Egyptian Government would be grateful if the United States
Government would be good enough, in accordance with common though
not universal custom, to suggest three candidates for the post in
question and to communicate their names to His Majesty’s Ambassador
at Washington who is being instructed to forward them to Egypt.
I have the honor to add that the conditions of service will be in
accordance with the Sultan’s decree of March 8th, 1920, with the
addition of one hundred and fifty pounds per annum payable in March
and September, an addition which has so far only been granted for
the present year.
I should be grateful if you would, when bringing this matter to the
notice of the United States Government, emphasize the importance
which His Majesty’s Government continue to attach to the speedy
conclusion of a convention on the lines laid down in my note
referred to above. In advising the Egyptian Government to proceed
forthwith to the appointment of an American judge to succeed Judge
Tuck, His Majesty’s Government have afforded a proof which the
United States Government will doubtless appreciate of their sincere
desire to preserve the American element in the constitution of the
Mixed Courts and to avail themselves of the talents of eminent
American jurists which they feel confident will prove as valuable in
the future as they have done in the past.
I have [etc.]
(For the Secretary of State)
J.
A. C. Tilley
