Letter to Jan Frankel, February 22, 1933

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What Is Happening in Germany?

Dear Friend:

For a long time I have wanted to write to you, but it was not known where you were. For the last few days I was awaiting a report from you from Berlin. Meanwhile the last letter arrived from Paris, where you expect, evidently, an answer from me. As a precaution I am sending this letter to Paris and Berlin simultaneously.

The resolutions of the preconference have been received. All sure in order. The preconference is a very important achievement: the Stalinists cannot decide to convene an international conference. Of the Brandlerites there is nothing to be said: their international organization does not exist. We convened an international conference and passed a number of resolutions of paramount importance. Unfortunately, neither La Vérité nor Permanente managed to emphasize this fact. A special note should be printed, it seems to me, to correct this omission.

It is reported from America that with the coming of the fascist era in Germany, the League has mobilized all of its members in military fashion to try to shake the members of the Communist Party to their senses. The Militant will be coming out three times a week in the course of the next month. They began this campaign having no resources whatsoever, and apparently met with an immediate response from the workers. The French are also displaying significant activity on the German question. The surprising thing is that the Germans themselves are moving least of all. It is difficult to understand what is the matter here: whether there is a general mood of depression and resignation in Germany, or whether our organization is totally lacking in initiative. I do not doubt that now, when our authority would be rising powerfully if our leadership were active and bold, that the size, at least, of Permanente could be significantly enlarged. This alone would produce a favorable impression, especially after the treason of the Well clique. In Permanente there is not even a real appeal to all friends and sympathizers to now increase tenfold the newspaper sales, collection of money, agitation, and organizing. Everyone is mobilizing except the Germans. Write and tell me, please, after you have acquainted yourself well with the situation, what accounts for this catastrophic inertia: the generally depressed mood of the German proletariat or the specific conditions in our organization.

Expanding the size of Permanente is, it seems to me, the minimal program. That is, it is better to enlarge the size itself rather than to go to six pages; but this, in the end, is a technical question. There should be a circular letter appealing to all local organizations and sympathizers; those who sell the newspaper should be mobilized; and the organization should be he put on a military footing. A drastic change should be made in the character and rhythm of the work. It is best of all to start with the publication of what the French and American sections are doing in connection with Hitler’s accession to power. Apparently the Greek section, too, has taken appropriate steps. The Germans should be infected with the examples of the other sections; the spirit of competition and the feeling of political responsibility should be raised.

Tomorrow I hope to send the Russian text of the German pamphlet. This is not the pamphlet on the political situation which I started several weeks ago, but a special pamphlet I have written in the last few days, addressed to the Social Democratic workers. I think that this pamphlet will allow us to make contacts with left Social Democratic elements, inclined toward revolution, who are repelled by the official party.

Do you have someone who is capable of translating into Russian? In the next issue of the Russian Biulleten the resolutions of the preconference should be included. I have the basic text in Russian, but it is necessary to insert amendments and additions according to the final text of the decisions of the preconference. Perhaps this task could be fulfilled in Berlin.

I have called the attention of the Berlin comrades to the SAP several times already. One printed criticism is not enough. Personal contacts are needed. They need to be forced to understand that we are not “beasts” but people, and that nothing human is alien to us. Generally, it is necessary to break out of the vicious circle, which has produced its own routine and, alas, a lack of initiative.

With warm regards.

Yours,

L.T.