Mr. President. you may recall that in May of 1939. Adolf Hitler permitted more than 400 German Jews to board an oceanliner headed for Cuba. called the St. Louis. Although each passenger was required to pay twice the normal fare to Cuba. all paid willingly. When the boat reached Havana. the passengers were kept on board through weeks of negotiations. Although many passengers had Cuban visas. it become clear that Cuba would not grant entry to any of them. Leaving Havana. the boat made the 90mile passage to Florida. After several days of uncertain waiting. President Roosevelt denied the passengers permission to land.