Letter to Margarete Ruthe, August 2, 1939

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Dear Mrs. Ruthe:

I never received your second letter. The third arrived while I was sick. That is the reason for the very regrettable delay in my answer. The judge in Paris has the letter that Rudolfs mother asked about. So I can only send you a photocopy of the letter as well as a copy of my analysis of the letter that I sent to the judge.

As for me, I am absolutely certain that the letter was a forgery. It has absolutely false and worthless statements, made by someone whose knowledge of Rudolfs situation and previous activity was extremely general and incomplete. The resemblance of the handwriting [to Rudolfs], which is undeniable, in no way proves that the letter was authentic. First, it is only a similarity; second, Rudolfs enemies have the best specialists in the world in this field, who have already made similar performances many times.

This completely contradicts the opposing theory according to which Rudolf joined the camp of his enemies of his own free will. Besides, in this case he would not have had the least reason to hide himself. On the contrary, he would then have openly opposed his comrades of yesterday; otherwise, his joining would have made no sense. It is also certain that in this case he would have given his mother an indication that he was alive.

For me the situation is absolutely clear and I have not the least doubt that Rudolf has been killed by his enemies. If I had the least doubt, dear Mrs. Ruthe, I would not take away a last hope from his mother. Unfortunately, the language of facts is blunt and unambiguous.

With my best greetings and wishes to you and your family and to that of your sister.

Yours faithfully,

Leon Trotsky