704.5483/18
The Minister in Egypt (Howell) to
the Secretary of State
Cairo, January 18,
1926.
[Received February 6.]
No. 745Sir: I have the honor to refer to the
Department’s instruction to this Legation No. 176, of September 10,
1924,12
regarding Swiss interests in Egypt as applied especially to citizens of
the German-Swiss cantons, and, apropos of same, to herewith enclose a
copy of an Aide Memoire this day received from
The Residency bearing upon the same subject matter. The Residency
expressed the hope that it might have the comments of the Legation upon
this question at as early a date as practicable.
Should the Department deem an answer to this proposition of such
importance as to reply by cable same doubtless would be duly appreciated
by His Britannic Majesty’s principal representative in Egypt.
I have [etc.]
[Enclosure]
The British Residency in
Egypt to the American
Legation
Aide-Mémoire
His Majesty’s Government have been approached by the Swiss Government
in connection with the following matter.
- 2.
- For some years past the Legation and the Consulates of the
United States of America have extended their protection to some
fifty Swiss subjects who were formerly registered at the German
Consulates in this country.
- 3.
- In the year 1924 the Government of the United States, who it
is understood do not permit their representatives abroad to
exercise jurisdiction over persons other than their own
nationals, expressed to the Swiss Government a desire to be
discharged from their obligations towards the Swiss subjects in
question. In view of the fact, however, that negotiations were
pending between the Swiss and Egyptian Governments with a view
to the establishment of Swiss representation in Egypt, the
Government of the United States authorised their representatives
in Egypt to continue to protect these persons until such time as
their interests could be safeguarded by the representatives of
the Confederation.
- 4.
- This consent was based on the assumption that the negotiations
above referred to would be speedily concluded. Important
divergences
[Page 970]
of opinion
between the two Governments have, however, since come to light,
and it is therefore unlikely that Swiss representation will be
established in Egypt in the near future. Under the circumstances
the Swiss Government fear that the United States Government will
feel constrained to reconsider their attitude towards these
Swiss subjects and they have accordingly enquired whether His
Majesty’s Government would be willing to assume their
protection.
- 5.
- His Majesty’s Government are disposed favourably to consider
this suggestion, but before taking any steps in the matter the
Residency would be glad to receive the observations of the
Legation of the United States on the subject.
Cairo, 15 January, 1925
[1926].
