482

Copy

January 5 1921

Mr. Walter Parker,

General Manager,

New Orleans Association of Commerce,

New Orleans, Louisiana.

Sir:

Receipt is acknowledged of your letter of December
22, 1920, by reference from the White House, concerning
the colonization of Armenian Farmers in the Southern
States.

The whole subject of foreign immigration is now before
Congress and the Department of State could not well
take an initiative in this particular case until the
general question has been decided by the legislative
branch.

Assuming, however, that the admission of Armenian
farmers would not be contrary to law, there would still
remain the question of expense. A government aided immigration
movement conducted by means of transports would
involve a very considerable outlay for which Congressional
sanction would be necessary.

I am, Sir,

Your obedient servant,

For the Secretary of State:

Alvey A. Adee

Second Assistant Secretary.

[stamp] A true copy of the signed original

860J.48/68

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