Office of the Historian

611.8331/7

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

Cairo, February 20, 1929.
[Received March 13.]
No. 145

Sir: Referring to my despatch No. 131 of January 30, 1929,28 and previous correspondence, I have the honor to enclose herewith a copy [Page 956] and translation of a Note, dated February 14th, received from the Egyptian Minister for Foreign Affairs in which the intention is set forth of the Egyptian Government to establish a new Egyptian customs regime through legislative action, exception being made for the conclusion of conventions within the limits of the powers to be granted it under the law which will establish the said regime.

It will be observed that on February 16, 1930, the Egyptian Government plans to allow to elapse such of the “conventions which are still in force” and which accordingly serve as a basis for the treatment accorded the commerce of the United States of America. As far as I can ascertain, however, the only convention still in force is with Italy.32

I took occasion this morning to discuss this Note, the French of which is somewhat obscure, with the Minister for Foreign Affairs. He explained to me that the convention with Italy would expire on February 16th, next, and that instead of writing merely to Italy he had decided to send a circular Note to all the Powers. I asked him whether he meant to suggest by the Note in question that a commercial treaty be negotiated between us before that date and he replied in the affirmative and added that as a matter of fact he intended to submit to me in the near future a draft convention.

I would suggest, however, if you concur, that instead of awaiting the Egyptian draft you furnish me with a counterdraft which could serve as a basis for any negotiations which you may instruct me to undertake.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . .

I have [etc.]

Franklin Mott Gunther
[Enclosure—Translation]

The Egyptian Minister for Foreign Affairs (Afifi) to the American Minister (Gunther)

Cairo, February 14, 1929.
No. 42.5/3(12)

Mr. Minister: I have the honor to bring to the knowledge of Your Excellency that the Government of His Majesty the King of Egypt proposes to establish the Egyptian customs régime through legislative action, exception being made for the conclusion of conventions within the limits of the powers to be granted it under the law which will establish the said régime. Up to now the Egyptian Government has proceeded solely by means of conventions, and the system of duties and taxes applicable to the navigation and commerce of the United States of America has been based, in accordance with the [Page 957] protocol signed November 16, 1884,33 on the conventions concluded between Egypt and the other foreign powers. But the Royal Government plans, on the 16th of February 1930, to bring to an end those of these conventions which are still in force and which accordingly serve as a basis for the treatment accorded the commerce of the United States of America. As a result of this, beginning with the following day, the schedule of duties and taxes which will be applied to the navigation and commerce of the United States of America will be fixed by the new laws to be promulgated, with, however, such exceptions as may be introduced, within the limits of the powers granted to the Royal Government by the legislation in question, through the conclusion of a convention between Egypt and the United States of America.

I seize this occasion [etc.]

The Minister for Foreign Affairs
H. Afifi
  1. Not printed.↩
  2. Convention of commerce and navigation signed at Alexandria, July 14, 1906; British and Foreign State Papers, vol. c, p. 867.↩
  3. Malloy, Treaties, 1776–1909, vol. i, p. 442.↩