883.05/291: Telegram
The Minister in Egypt ( Gunther ) to the Secretary of State
[Received January 25—10 a.m.]
3. Judicial adviser12 confirms current rumors that impending vacancy Procureur Generalship, Mixed Courts is to be filled by Englishman. He implies also that political considerations dictate choice of Frenchman and Italian for two prospective Court of Appeals appointments. Such appointments would result in following numbers of magistrates representing principal capitulatory powers: Great Britain 8, Italy 6, France 5, United States 3. Of lesser powers, Norway, Belgium, Greece and Spain now have same representation as ourselves.
It is farthest from my thoughts to suggest that we should make our acceptance of Mixed Court reform contingent upon appointment of additional American judge, but I believe our traditional position and general prestige entitle us to refer to departure from principle of equal representation and to suggest desirability of establishing a situation which would at least more nearly provide in fact for parity amongst principal powers.
[Page 939]As we may be faced shortly by fait accompli I respectfully suggest early reply to reform proposals and interview between yourself and Egyptian Minister; latter being asked to telegraph his Government your views.
- Judge G. Arthur W. Booth (British).↩