783.003/177a: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Bingham)
66. The Legation at Cairo reports that the British and Egyptian Governments have in view the signature at Montreux by the Conference “in addition to and aside from the general convention, of an instrument regulating the Mixed Courts régime”. It is reported that the latter would contain provisions for its entrance into effect on October 15th while the former would become effective only after ratification by the signatory Powers.
The Department would appreciate receiving at your earliest convenience any information you may be able to obtain informally from the Foreign Office concerning the British views in this regard as well as any other information having to do with the means envisaged for the implementing of the accords which may be reached by the Conference.
The Department wishes to avoid being placed in a position of appearing to be obstructive at the forthcoming Conference and desires to take such steps as may be necessary to enable the delegation to meet any reasonable proposals that may be made by the Egyptian Government so far as that is possible within the framework of our constitutional limitations.