883.05/242a
The Secretary of State to the British Ambassador (Geddes)
Excellency: I have the honor to refer to previous correspondence regarding the appointment of an American member of the Egyptian Mixed Court of Appeal to fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Tuck.
I regret that neither of the two gentlemen suggested by this Government for the position has met with approval. Judge Crabites who was proposed in the first instance seems to be well equipped in view particularly of his experience in the Court of First Instance. Mr. Ellery C. Stowell is in my opinion well qualified in view of his training and experience. Although it is the privilege of this Government to nominate a judge, the Embassy inquired in a note dated August 22, 1919,18 whether the nomination of Mr. Philip Marshall Brown would be agreeable to the Government of the United States. Mr. Brown is not a lawyer, and if a person who is not even a member of the legal profession may be deemed qualified to act as a judge of the Mixed Court of Appeal, it seems somewhat strange that objection should be made to a man of Mr. Stowell’s attainments.
It is still the desire of this Government that either Judge Crabites or Mr. Stowell should be selected for the post. However, I submit the additional name of Mr. Jasper Yeates Brinton, a short biographical sketch of whom is herewith enclosed.18
If none of these gentlemen is acceptable, this Government will probably have no further nominations to make and may, therefore, be under the necessity of refusing to consent to a renewal on October 31, 1921, of the existing arrangement with regard to the Mixed Courts.
Accept [etc.]