Austrian and German Jewish refugees among the survivors of the Simon Bolivar sinking, interviewed at St. Bartholomew Hospital today, said that most of them were bound for South American countries, chiefly Chile, and in one case Cuba, under a special arrangement. (The HIAS-ICA office in Paris estimates their number at 100.)
There were many personal tragedies among the refugee survivors, including the cases of families which had succeeded in bringing their parents to Holland after enormous difficulties, only to lose them through the mine explosion.
The refugees, considered technically as enemy aliens, were under strict police supervision and were terrified by the possibility of being sent back to Holland because of the dangers involved in a new crossing and the threat of a German invasion of Holland.
Help ensure Jewish news remains accessible to all. Your donation to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency powers the trusted journalism that has connected Jewish communities worldwide for more than 100 years. With your help, JTA can continue to deliver vital news and insights. Donate today.
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.
