File No. 891.48/88
The British Ambassador on Special Mission ( Reading) to the Counselor for the Department of State ( Polk)
[Received March 25.]
Dear Mr. Polk: Doctor MacCallum, late of the Bible House in Constantinople, recently came to this Embassy to unfold a scheme for relief in Persia and enquired what the views of the British authorities would be. He said that the scheme had the unofficial but hearty approval of the State Department.
We accordingly enquired and find that the prospects for the harvest in Persia are good throughout practically the entire country, [Page 566] and whilst this harvest will be gathered in within four months from now, Doctor MacCallum and his party could barely get to work on the spot before that time. Thus his mission would be a fruitless expenditure of energy and money, and he has been informed accordingly.
I thought you might be interested to know the facts of this matter.
I am [etc.]