“I have the pleasure to state herein what is the attitude of the Government of Cuba and of the Cuban people in this matter”, the Cuban Minister in the United States writes in a letter to Mr. Isidore Hershfeld, the Washington representative of the Hias, disclaiming responsibility for the insulting remarks against the Jews made at a public banquet in Havana by Deputy Dr. Mencio, a member of the Cuban Parliament. “It was never”, he says, “and it is not the policy of the Cuban Government to discriminate against or oppress Jews in any manner whatever. The Cuban Government acknowledges the value of the contribution that its Jewish residents and citizens have made to my country in industrial and professional life and otherwise. There will be no general condemnation, punishment or deportation of Jews because of the guilt of any individual. Any Jew charged with any offence or threatened with deportation will be given fair trial and his case decided on its merits.
“I desire to emphasise the fact that the Jewish race shall have no difficulties of any kind”, the Minister declares, “and that there is no discrimination whatever against anyone on account of their origin.
“Of course, “he concludes, “the Cuban Government must defend itself from individuals who attempt to conspire against its institutions and against the institutions of all free countries of the world; and this attitude ought to be accepted with satisfaction by all men of order pertaining to any race, creed or religion”.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
