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Special pages :
Letter to Erwin Ackerknecht, July 30, 1933
| Author(s) | Leon Trotsky |
|---|---|
| Written | 30 July 1933 |
Full-Time Staff
Dear Comrade E.B.:
I am eager to clarify a misunderstanding about the IS and its full-time staff. I must have misunderstood Comrade Jan [Frankel], because, I was sure that his proposal concerning your candidacy as permanent secretary was a proposal already discussed and accepted by the members of the IS and, in general, by the most responsible comrades. I consequently agreed to it, without hesitation. But now I learn that the proposal comes completely on the personal initiative of Comrade Jan and that there is a great danger it might be taken as a repudiation of the present members of the IS. That would be fatal and would aggravate the situation instead of improving it, let alone your personal situation. The present full-time staff member is Comrade Blasco, who during recent weeks has made great efforts in activity (correspondence, etc.). Since there was always a struggle between the League and the IS over who would have Comrade Blasco (this conflict developed in Comrade Blasco as well), I thought that Blasco himself had definitely made up his mind in favor of the League, and that everyone agreed that your candidacy was the only chance of salvation. But I repeat that the situation presented itself here completely differently. The misunderstanding happened because of the feverish conditions of our departure, at a time when we discussed political questions between two suitcases and two trips. I still have not seen a single one of the comrades from the IS. At any rate, it is obvious that we will not be able and must not undertake anything without being in full agreement with them. I do not doubt that you will share the same opinion: I remember very clearly our conversations before you left.
I hope to be able to see you shortly, after you have learned about the situation; we will, then discuss the matter with full knowledge of the case. For the moment, I only wanted to eliminate any possible misunderstanding.