| Category | Template | Form |
|---|---|---|
| Text | Text | Text |
| Author | Author | Author |
| Collection | Collection | Collection |
| Keywords | Keywords | Keywords |
| Subpage | Subpage | Subpage |
| Template | Form |
|---|---|
| BrowseTexts | BrowseTexts |
| BrowseAuthors | BrowseAuthors |
| BrowseLetters | BrowseLetters |
Template:GalleryAuthorsPreviewSmall
Special pages :
Letter to Max Shachtman, November 9, 1931
| Author(s) | Leon Trotsky |
|---|---|
| Written | 9 November 1931 |
To Help in Britain
Dear Comrade Shachtman:
I give you the suggestion to turn to Ivor Montague, even though he is not a member of the Left Opposition, during your stay in England. He has some job relations with the organs of the Soviet government and that will perhaps make it necessary to observe a certain discretion with him, in order not to compromise him.
Comrade Glotzer, with whom we have formed a good friendship in the few weeks that he has been here, is being retained here for a few more weeks by our great administrator, Frankel. I regret that his visit coincides with a period in which I am very busy with my book [The History of the Russian Revolution], If I am not finished with it by the first of December, the agreement with the publisher is lost. This is the reason why we have only been able to discuss things a few times. But we discuss indirectly by the elaboration of the theses or countertheses on the English question, which are translated by Glotzer and Frankel into English. It is far from being an even short summary of the British situation and the tasks of the Communists. It is far more negative. They represent a refutation of totally false ideas which will have to be uncovered as views not representing the Left Opposition.
During your stay in London you will naturally study more closely the activity and literature of the party. It would be very good if you could send me a little collection of the more characteristic leaflets and programmatic articles of the party. There seems to be a view entertained by various types of our comrades regarding the imminence of fascism in Great Britain. Because this opinion exists in many minds, I have a conviction that it emanates from the party. I would like to have you make a survey of the party organs, clip any and all articles dealing with this question, and send them to me.
In a letter to Montague, I asked him what he thought of the idea of a new edition of Where is England Going?, with an introduction (a new one) in the light of the present situation and with a polemical supplement. It seems to me that such a book might interest a little bourgeois publisher who is not bound by political obligations. What do you think?
Also, please give me your general impressions about the French League, including the personal relations between the leading comrades.
Montague, by the way, is a very good comrade, ready to assist as well as he can, and I am sure can facilitate your stay in London in every respect.
Comradely yours,
L. Trotsky