783.003/126: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Minister in Egypt ( Fish )
46. Your 63, November 19, 9 a.m. Unless you perceive some objection the Department desires you to express to the Egyptian Government, in such manner as you consider appropriate, the hope that prior to the convening of the proposed capitulations conference ample opportunity will be afforded this Government to study the proposals which are to be put forward. In this connection it must be borne in mind that in view of the length of time required to transmit documents between Egypt and the United States, this Government will require somewhat longer to make the necessary preparations than will European countries. Furthermore, depending upon the nature of the Egyptian proposals and the method by which it is sought to accomplish them, it may be necessary for this Government to seek legislative enactments from Congress. Under the circumstances the Department earnestly hopes that it may have before it the Egyptian proposals not less than 2 months prior to the convening of the proposed [Page 30] conference. Only by being afforded such an opportunity for studying the views of the Egyptian Government can this Government give them the attentive and sympathetic consideration which it desires. Any indications, even informal, which the Egyptian Government may meanwhile be in a position to furnish as to its views with respect to an adjustment of the capitulatory problem will obviously facilitate the task of this Government.