883.6363/28
The Minister in Egypt (Howell) to
the Secretary of State
Cairo, March 8,
1927.
[Received April 4.]
No. 968
Sir: I have the honor to refer to my Despatch
No. 898, of October 22, 1926, and to the Department’s telegram No. 4, of
February 4, [Page 579] 1927, as well as
to previous and subsequent correspondence on the question of storage of
petroleum products in floating barges in Alexandria harbour contrary to
Egyptian regulations.
It will be recalled that in my telegram No. 7, under date of February 23,
1927, I recommended that no further action be taken in this matter until
the British reply to my memorandum, left with the High Commissioner on
February 8, 1927, had been received. I am just now in receipt of the
High Commissioner’s reply to the memorandum above mentioned and am
herewith enclosing a copy of it.
It will be observed, by the enclosed note from the High Commissioner,
that the opinion expressed in my telegram under reference with regard to
the attitude of the British upon this question was a correct one. I very
much doubt, in the circumstances, as above pointed out, whether any
further steps should be taken at this time by us with a view to
eliminating these barges from the harbour of Alexandria, as permitted by
the Egyptian Government, notwithstanding the fact that they seem to be
operating in violation of the regulations of the Egyptian Government
controlling the storage and sale of petroleum products.
I shall at once communicate to the Vacuum Oil Company the situation as
viewed by the Residency and await further instructions from the
Department.
I have [etc.]
[Enclosure]
The British High Commissioner in Egypt
(Lloyd)
to the American Minister (Howell)
Cairo, 3 March,
1927.
L 1102/163
Sir: I have the honour to refer to the
conversation which Your Excellency had with me some days ago
regarding the floating Petroleum depots at Alexandria, and to inform
Your Excellency that I have closely studied the memorandum on the
subject which Your Excellency was good enough to leave with me.29
- 2.
- The information at my disposal would seem to show that the
state of affairs in the harbour has greatly improved since the
Vacuum Oil Company’s memorandum of October 7th last30 was handed to Your
Excellency. I am moreover advised that in the opinion of the
competent authorities of the Egyptian Government the maintenance
of these floating depots is definitely advantageous to the
country, and that they are satisfied that the steps now taken to
provide for the security of the shipping in the harbour are
reasonably adequate. [Page 580] I
am indeed informed that the present land installations at
Alexandria are themselves very unsatisfactory in this
respect.
- 3.
- In the circumstances therefore I think Your Excellency will
agree with me that no combined action on our part would now seem
to be required. I would however suggest for Your Excellency’s
consideration the propriety of affording the Egyptian Government
an opportunity of answering the criticisms contained in the
Vacuum Oil Company’s memorandum, should the latter still hold to
the views contained therein. In making the above suggestion Your
Excellency will, I trust, realise that I in no way wish to
intervene in a matter which is not within my competence and in
regard to which the decision must of course rest with Your
Excellency alone.
- 4.
- I shall be happy, should Your Excellency so desire, to discuss
this question with Your Excellency at any time and to afford
Your Excellency all assistance which it may be in my power to
provide.
I avail myself [etc.]
