HAYS REPLY secretary of state did not refuse thomas a passport washington march 15 the burleson resolution calling on the secretary of state for the facts relating to the case of dr thomas and wife who desired to go to south africa to distribute relief funds was adopted in the house after a short debate in the course of which mr hiitt chairman of the corn matteo on foreign affairs introduced a letter from secretary hay explaining what the department of state biad done in the premises the letter follows department of state washington march 12 sir referring to the resolution recently introduced in the house I 1 beg to make the following statement of facts A few days ago a young gentleman called and asked whether this department would issue a passport to rev mr thomas and mrs thomas who were intending to go to south africa for the purpose of distributing funds which had been collected in illinois for the beleut of the sufferers of the war I 1 eaid at once that the department would issue the passport desired and that I 1 would also give mr thomas a letter commending to everyone whom I 1 could influence and asking their assistance in his errand inquiry was then made whether this government would ask of the british government permission for mr and mrs thomas to go at will through the british military and lines a suggestion which I 1 thought impracticable this department is ready at any time to consult with a representative of gov yates as to the best means of getting into alie proper hands abums contributed by charitable people in illinois for the relief of the sufferers by the war in south africa I 1 am sir very respectfully your obedient servant JOHN HAY