883.404/65
The Acting Secretary of State to the Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Bingham)
Sir: It will be recalled that by its instruction No. 1178 of March 26, 1936, the Department authorized the Embassy to inquire of the Foreign Office whether it was proposed to include the question of safeguarding religious liberties in Egypt in the negotiations then current between [Page 26] Great Britain and Egypt, and that by its despatch No. 2106 of April 7, 1936, the Embassy reported that it had been informally advised that the negotiations in question had not proceeded beyond the question of the disposition of armed forces in Egypt.
Inasmuch as the Anglo-Egyptian Treaty signed at London on August 26, 1936,34 makes no provision respecting religious liberties, American missionary interests have again approached the Department and suggested that an endeavor be made to ascertain whether consideration is being given to the desirability of requesting the Egyptian Government to furnish guarantees on that subject in connection with the proposed admission of Egypt to membership in the League of Nations. Copies of memoranda of conversations and correspondence on this matter with the Reverend A. L. Warnshuis, Secretary of the International Missionary Council, 156 Fifth Avenue, New York City, and with the Reverend Doctor Charles R. Watson, President of the American University of Cairo, are enclosed for your confidential information.35
In view of the considerations set forth in these enclosures, you are authorized, provided you perceive no objection, to inquire at the Foreign Office whether it is proposed to request Egypt, at the time of the proposed admission of that country into the League of Nations, to furnish appropriate guarantees or to give assurances with respect to religious liberties.
Very truly yours,