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  4. Document 504

The Secretary of State to Chargé Furniss.

Department of State,
Washington , December 1, 1905 .
No. 3.]

Sir: I have to acknowledge the receipt of Mr. Powell’s No. 1872, of the 18th ultimo, in which he lays before the Department the cases of certain naturalized American citizens of Syrian origin, who, he states, having conformed to the laws of the Republic, have not received their licenses for the present year.

He adds that he has learned from sources not official that it is the intention of the government not to grant licenses to do business to any foreigner of Syrian origin.

The Department is of opinion that if the licenses are withheld the applicants are entitled to the return of any deposit which they may have made therefor.

I am, etc.,

Elihu Root.