383.0063/34

The Egyptian Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs (Sirry) to the American Minister in Egypt (Kirk)73

[Translation]
No. 38.106/2
No. 63

My Dear Mr. Minister: Having discussed with H. E. the Minister of Education the subject referred to in Your Excellency’s letter of the 24th May concerning the American educational institutions in this country, we have come to the conclusion that the apprehensions referred to in the note accompanying the letter are groundless. On the contrary the American institutions in Egypt, like all foreign institutions, receive from the Egyptian Ministry of Education due regard and appreciation. The provisions made in the Treaty of Montreux concerning these institutions are carefully observed, and the Egyptian Ministry of Education gives all non-government educational institutions all the assistance they need to enable them to carry out their work within the limits of law and order.

The project of law for the amendment of Act 40, 1934 need not arouse any apprehension whatsoever. This project has been drawn after long and detailed discussion between the Ministry of Education and those in charge of the various foreign institutions, amongst whom of course were those in charge of the American institutions, with Dr. Watson, Chancellor of the American University, at their head.

The text of the Treaty of Montreux regarding this subject was carefully taken into consideration when the amendments were proposed, and the whole project, besides, is now before the Legislative Committee of the Egyptian Government, who will make sure that its items conform strictly to the provisions of the Treaty.

In fact, the amendment of Act 40, 1934 as laid down in the aforesaid project was a matter of absolute necessity, and should arouse no opposition whatever. Furthermore, the amendments affecting foreign institutions had the full consent of those in charge of the institutions themselves, with the possible exception of the item dealing with religious teaching about which there was a slight difference of opinion.

This difference, however, was limited to some of the details and did not affect the principle itself; and on this point the Ministry of Education was as tolerant as it could possibly be. It is a fundamental principle that the pupil should be taught no religion other than his own. No infringement of this principle is permissible either by [Page 327] public morality or public order. Acting on this principle, the Ministry of Education has justly refused to be bound by any declaration to the contrary made by the pupils’ parents or guardians. By so doing the Ministry has no other intention than the protection of the pupils’ creeds and it has therefore accepted the proposal submitted by Dr. Watson, Chancellor of the American University, as it was in no way contradictory to the above principle. It was formally laid down in the explanatory note attached to the project that this new article prohibits only the teaching of any religion to the pupil except his own. But the teachers are free to make any reference to the history or the moral, principles of other religions in the classroom during the lessons of philosophy, ethics, and the like, provided they are not intended to tamper with the pupils’ religion either directly or indirectly.

The Ministry of Education is therefore convinced that the project of law for the amendment of Act 40, 1934 is quite natural and in agreement with the letter and spirit of the Treaty of Montreux, a fact which will be further taken into consideration by the Legislative Committee of the Egyptian Government.

This being the case, there is, we believe, no ground for the apprehensions referred to in the note accompanying Your Excellency’s letter. When put into effect, the law will have the same aim in the future as it had during the past School-Year, namely full and explicit cooperation between the Ministry of Education and all nongovernment Educational Institutions for the welfare of the pupils, the teaching authorities and education as a whole. No complaint has been made to the Ministry of Education against its inspection of the foreign schools, which may arouse any apprehension about the future. On the contrary the Ministry is sure that the projected amendments and the way in which Act 40, 1934 is now carried out are the natural preparation for the future evolution of the institutions, enabling them in the meantime to go through the transition stage, and the subsequent stages as well, in such a way as will make the cooperation between this country and the foreign institutions fruitful for all concerned.

Your Excellency, therefore, need have no apprehensions on this subject, and you may rest assured that our country’s desire to safeguard her sovereignty will in no way make her forget the valuable educational and cultural services rendered to her by the foreign institutions.

It is her earnest desire to help these institutions to perform their duties, to enjoy in full their educational independence, and preserve their special characteristics intact, subject only to the restrictions of public morality and public order.

I am [etc.]

H. Sirry
  1. Copy transmitted to the Department by the Minister in Egypt in his despatch No. 82, August 8; received December 9.