Evening star., 1939-06-04
9O7 Jewish Refugees
May Yet Be Given
Haven in Cuba

Change in Law to Permit
Landing Is Reported
Weighed in Havana
BACKGROUND
Anti-Semitic campaign in
Germany took extreme turn last
November after killing OF Ger
man diplomat by Polish Jem.
Early this year German Jeus
Were not only stripped of prac-
ttcally all their remaining pos
sessions, but depriued of all
means OF likelihood, being LETT
NTH only one courSe-to emf
CRATE. Nations of the ,porld hare
been extremely reluctant to open
their doors to refugees.
BY the Associated Press.
HAVANA. June 3.-A possibility
that GOT refugee German Jews on
the homeward-bound German liner
st. Louis might be permitted to land
in Cuba after once being turned
down was disclosed semi-officially
tonlgnt.
Well-informed sources said that
the Treasury Department was con-
slderlng new regulation to modify
Cuba's immigration law. The regu-
lation. expected to be signed by
President FREDERICK Laredo Bru
within few days, would permit the
landing in Cuba of all foreigners
desiring to remain not over three
months.
Many Planned to Enter U. S.
They would be classed as passen-
gers en- route and, after the three
month period, would be required
to place a $500 bond if they wished
to remain. Many of those on board
the st. Louis had planned to wait
in Cuba for admission into the
United States under quota restric-
tions.
1n New York, Joseph C. Hy-
man of the American Jewish
Joint Distribution Committee.
also said there was a likelihood
that the refugees would be per-
mitted to land in Cuba. He
stated that Lawrence Berenson
of New York, counsel for the
National Coordination Commit
tee for the Aid of Refugees, would
continue series of conferences
with President Laredo Bru. to-
morrow. after which an an
nouncement would be made)
Ships Location Unknown.
The exact location of the St.
Louis, which sailed from here under
orders of President Laredo Bru
after being refused permission to
land the refugees, was not known
here tonight. The st. Louis sailed
from Hamburg May Is.
Luis Chasing, Havana representa-
tive of the Hamburg -Amerika, said
he did not know the ships position
and that it could be assumed she was
headed for Hamburg.
GA reliable source in Miami,
Fla, said tonight the German
steamship st. Louis apparently
had not changed its position to-
day or tonight.
CThis would indicate that the
vessel was hove to somewhere
outside the territorial waters of
Cuba and was not proceeding
across the Atlantic to Hamburg.
The reason for the belief that the
ship was not under way was not
statedD
Another refugee vessel, the steamer
Flandre, received permission to re-
main temporarily at Veracruz,
Mexico, when she was weighing
anchor with SO of 1O4 Jews who had
been denied entry into Cuba 1t was
believed that so of the refugees
would be permitted to disembark,
but that others, who were not able
to furnish money for six months
residence. would have to leave when
the vessel sails tomorrow.
Dominican Haven Offered.
Today, there came an offer of
maven from the Dominican Repub-
llcs government on condition that
each refugee pay a $500 tax to re-
side permanently in the country.
1t was understood that most of
the refugees were penniless. and it
was reported, although without con-
firmation, that no final answer was
being given to this offer pending
outcome of new negotiations with
the Cuban government.
The Dominican consul here. Mes
tor Pou, said he believed the St..
Louis refugees were delaying their
answer to the Dominican govern
ment in hopes the Cuban govern
ment would change its decision.
May Change Decision.
Cuban Secretary of State Enrique
Alfonso Pujol did not deny the posi-
bility that President Laredo Bru
might change his decision. Pujol
pointed out that the president had
said he would not discuss the matter
while the st. Louis was in Cuban
waters.
The secretary of state also would
not deny reports that efforts were
being made to seek return Of the
st. Louis.