The difficult situation of 450 refugees who are detained at present in Tiscornia, the Eills Island of Cuba, was described today by Charles H. Jordan, Director of the Joint Relief Committee of Havana, in an interview at the offices of the Joint Distribution Committee here. Mr. Jordan is in New York for a few days to consult with J.D.C. officers concerning the new problems affecting the status of some 6,000 refugees who have found asylum in Cuba.
“Some 450 people, including more than 100 children, are today in Tiscornia,” Mr. Jordan declared. “Some of them have been there for as long as two months. Cuban regulations have held them completely incommunicado. They were not permitted to receive visitors, to send or receive letters, or to use the telephone or telegraph.
“While it is understandable that the Cuban Government wishes to check very carefully on the identity of all enemy nationals entering Cuban territory, it cannot be overlooked that the situation of the refugees in Tiscornia is far from good. The food is not suitable for European palates, and the more than 120 orthodox Jews among the refugees find it particularly difficult to get along. Among the refugees are also a number of pregnant women and aged people whose infirmities impose special hardships on them. Since the middle of May, the Joint Relief Committee of Havana has secured exclusive permission to visit Tiscornia and also to send certain foods into the community kitchen at Tiscornia, which offer additional nutrition to the internees,” the J.D.C. representative disclosed.
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