Foreign Relations of the United States Diplomatic Papers, 1937, The British Commonwealth, Europe, Near East and Africa, Volume II

783.003/299a: Telegram

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

Washington, October 11, 1937—6 p.m.

68. The President signed on October 9 a proclamation⁴⁸ suspending “effective October 15, 1937, during the pleasure of the President, the judicial functions now exercised by the minister, consuls or other functionaries of the United States in Egypt, except as to cases actually commenced before October 15, 1937, and except as to matters involving the personal status of citizens of the United States as defined in articles 28 of the Règlement d’organisation judiciaire” annexed to the Montreux Convention of May 8, 1937.

Please bring this action formally to the attention of the appropriate Egyptian authorities, referring in this connection to the assurances furnished to the President of the Egyptian Delegation on May 8, 1937, by the American Delegate to the Montreux Conference, and also invite attention to the fact that under the terms of the President’s proclamation American consular officers in Egypt will retain jurisdiction in matters involving the personal status of American citizens.

Please inform consuls.

Hull

48. 53 Stat. 1729.