While two shiploads of German-Jewish refugees were landing here today, the Foreign Ministry acted to correct alleged abuses in connection with issuance of visas by the Cuban Consulate in Hamburg.
Informed that the consulate had been exacting as high as $2,000 from visa applicants, the Ministry immediately cabled instructions to Hamburg that any Jew possessing $500 be granted a visa. It was learned that several Jews who had paid the $2,000 fee demanded by the consulate in Hamburg had later been arrested by the Nazi authorities on charges of attempting to take money out of the country illegally. The Hamburg Consul, it was asserted, was close to Nazi circles and had long made difficulties for Jewish prospective emigrants who applied at the Consulate.
The German steamship Iberia docked today with 92 refugees, of whom nine were permitted to enter immediately while the remainder were detained at the immigration island. Those detained, however, were all expected to be admitted as permanent settlers since all had landing money. A greater number of refugees were on board the British ship Queen of the Pacific, which was expected to dock here later in the day.
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