Letter to Jan Frankel, April 14, 1933

Add a subpage to this text

Read the help page for usage.

 

A Magnificent School

Dear Friend:

The misunderstanding over Stoi’s article I of course regard as completely cleared up. Your intention to publish a discussion issue of the international bulletin about the collapse of the Stalinist party in Germany I consider completely correct and I warmly welcome it. Within the past few days I sent you an article on this subject (“The Collapse of the KPD and the Tasks of the Opposition”). Since then I received another long letter from the Spanish comrades Arlen and Vela and, today, a letter from Erwin. I intend to answer the Spanish comrades again tomorrow or the day after. The question is in itself of exceptional importance, but in addition it will serve as a magnificent school for the entire International Opposition. A serious discussion on a burning question of immediate urgency will give us greater cohesion, I have no doubt of that.

As for Unser Wort, the discussion should be raised there, if the German comrades, especially the leadership, insist on it. But if they are willing to content themselves with the discussion in the international bulletin, there is of course no reason, on our part, for carrying the discussion into the pages of Unser Wort. I myself do not see anything wrong in doing that; on the contrary, I see serious advantages. But in order to have a public discussion, somebody from the other camp must write a discussion article.

The technical questions in regard to Germany are now the paramount political questions. All platforms, principles, theses will be left hanging helplessly in midair if the technical side of the matter is not provided for properly.

I think you are absolutely right in your idea of inviting those SAP members (and members of other organizations) who are close to us or sympathetic, or even not hostile, to express their views in Unser Wort. In the present circumstances such a step would be of exceptional importance and would help the German section break out of its old and narrow limits.

Incidentally, it seems from your words (or rather, from the words of [Fritz] Belleville [in Switzerland] which you pass along) that the Brandlerites not only have not proclaimed the necessity for building a new party, but have even refused to criticize the old party. I do not consider such a variant excluded. These gentlemen are capable of thinking that if the old executive committee is smashed, Stalin will invite them to serve, if they display exceptional “loyalty.” However, in my article “The Collapse of the KPD and the Tasks of the Opposition,” there is a reference to news that the Brandlerites had called for a new party. Either that passage should be deleted or a note should be attached, that the rumor to that effect has not been confirmed.

My insistent advice is that under no circumstances should Schwartz get involved in local work and should keep himself even farther away from Mill’s firm. He now has very important national tasks. In the recent past in the old quarters he put together some very valuable connections. The situation in his homeland at the present is such that the most attentive and intense work in the national sphere is required. I greatly fear that he will be drawn into local work or central work, to the detriment of national work. I urgently ask you to give me your assistance in this. It is a question of exceptional importance.

The Opposition press must devote at least a small article to the courageous conduct of Sneevliet. He showed himself to be a real revolutionary in this case, and the Stalinist press has said nothing about his trial, passively supporting the Dutch imperialists in this way. We should strike a very energetic note on this question.

Warmest regards.

Yours,

L.D.