783.003/136: Telegram

The Minister in Egypt (Fish) to the Secretary of State

75. I left yesterday with the Foreign Minister an aide-mémoire embodying the Department’s views as set forth in its telegram Nos. 46 and 49.43

The Minister for Foreign Affairs stated that while he fully appreciated my Government’s position, the Egyptian Government was considering February 15th for the opening of the Conference as it was desirous of holding it as soon as possible. As it would probably take place in Switzerland he assumed that less advance notice would be required by my Government. Although invitations would be issued in a few days it would be impossible to present detailed proposals in their entirety for some little time but he assured me that as soon as different points had been agreed upon he would inform me of them progressively either officially or informally in advance of their formal presentation to the powers before the Conference.

My Italian colleague has agreed to support my representations and he is inviting French Minister to do likewise.

The Counselor of the Residency44 informed the Legation today that the date of the Conference was still under discussion. In his opinion too great haste was being shown by the Egyptian Government which would not have its detailed proposals ready before January 15th at the earliest. He expressed the opinion that it would not be feasible for the Conference to be convened before March 15th.

There is being mailed tonight by air my final report in answer to the Department’s Instruction No. 19745 containing not inconsiderable details both in general and particular of the probable Egyptian proposals as ascertained recently from various sources.

Fish
  1. Ante, pp. 29 and 31.
  2. David Victor Kelly.
  3. Dated October 30; not printed.