Walter Damitt, the brother of Else Damitt - Oskar's girlfriend - sent this telegram on March 27 1939 from New York to help Oskar and his brother Jacob out of Germany. But Salo was still trapped in Poland unable to return to Munich and the parents would not leave without Salo. Had he returned in time, they would all have travelled together on the St. Louis.

15. April 1939

HAPAG - Hamburg America Line

We have just been informed by head office that, subject to sufficient demand, our merchant ship SS "St. Louis" will sail from Hamburg on a special voyage to Havana on the 13^th May 1939.

The fare is RM 800.-- in 1^st Class, with surcharge of 20% for cabin with bath. Tourist Class fare is RM 500.--. A deposit in both classes for the return^* journey of RM 230.-- per person is required.

Bookings for this journey can only be offered to those whose papers are entirely in order.

We ask you to advise us immediately whether you are interested in this special voyage and remain.

Yours faithfully
Hamburg-America Line

^* Notice that the circular required all passengers to pay a deposit for the "return journey", despite the fact that the voyage was intended as a one-way journey out of Germany for all the passengers!