Letter to Henri Molinier, May 14, 1933

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Problems with a Publisher

Dear Comrade H. M.:

I am writing to you on a personal matter. I must find a way to approach my German publisher: it seems to me the best way is through Paris. According to Mrs. Pfemfert [Alexandra Ramm], my translator, the publisher, S. Fischer, has owed me five thousand marks for several months. Lyova [Leon Sedov]’s impression is quite different, but nevertheless Mrs. Pfemfert insists on the figure of five thousand marks with the utmost certainty: she had received this information from the lips of Dr. Fischer-Bermann himself (he is the old man’s son-in-law and the real manager of the firm). You well understand how important this question has become for me. The Pfemferts have tried to make contact with the publisher by correspondence and through Mrs. Pfemfert’s sister in Berlin, without success. Fischer has not replied and, it appears, he slipped away before Mrs. Pfemfert’s sister could see him. It is not typical of him to evade payment; in this regard, these gentlemen are quite honest. But you can readily understand the great extent to which they are embarrassed by links with an author whose books are ceremonially burned by the Nazi rabble; nor can relations with Pfemfert in exile increase the standing of a publisher who risks being expropriated of his not inconsiderable wealth.

Under the circumstances I see no other possibility than to send someone “neutral” from the point of view of race, nationality, and political leanings, to do two things: (a) to clarify the money question and bring me back the marks, if there are any, and (b) to smuggle my books out of the country, to be sold in countries where German is spoken. Comrade [Pierre] Frank proposes, and I agree completely, the intervention of Comrade Reiland, the bookseller in Luxembourg: you must know him, at least by name. I would be very happy if you could lend a hand in this matter after talking it over with Lyova, who may have some additional information. I am enclosing with this letter two certificates, one in the name of Reiland and the other in blank, so you can insert the name of someone else, if the arrangement with Reiland does not work out. In the text of the certificate I do not mention Fischer’s name, in case the document accidentally falls into the hands of the Nazis. The bearer of the certificate should explain all this to Mr. Bermann or his assistant.

Reiland would also be the ideal person to rescue at least some of my books (the autobiography and especially the two volumes of the History). This question should of course be thought out carefully, and Reiland could even do good business as a bookseller who, in this case, would have a “monopoly” on these three books in the German language. I have not written directly to him, so as not to make it difficult for him to refuse, in the event that personal circumstances might not permit him to be involved in this matter.

Another question, not so serious, but one of some importance to me. It has to do with the steps taken by Parijanine concerning my visa. In recent months I have written two articles for the American press, one on Herriot, the other on Poincare. To be on the safe side, I sent the article on Herriot to Parijanine to ask whether my rather questionable elegy on French statesmen could hurt his efforts in my behalf. Parijanine replied that it would be a catastrophe. Now these two articles are worth several hundred dollars to me. How valuable are Parijanine’s prospects, I don’t really know. Nevertheless, today, with a heavy heart, I am sending a telegram to Eastman: do not publish my articles on Herriot and Poincare. What is your estimate of the efforts of Parijanine? Have you spoken with him? In my first reply to his altogether friendly initiative I proposed that he conduct this matter in permanent cooperation with you.

I would be very happy to have some news of you and yours.

Warmest greetings,

L. Trotsky