July 2, 1916

Dear friend! You seem very depressed and nervous about the setback. But you must not lose heart. The unpleasantness at the German consulate is trifling; is it worth paying attention to? And do not all emigrants experience the same thing in all dealings with authorities!

Ganetsky told me that his wife was allowed to pass through Germany and that the petition must be submitted to Munich to the military authorities (Oberkommando der Armee in München, I presume). I would therefore advise you, if you want to try to get to Norway, to do this: write to the German consulate in Bern a registered letter (enclosing an envelope with a stamp for the reply) saying that your acquaintances have informed you of precedents of permission being granted for women—subjects of countries at war with Germany—to transit through Germany, and that one must contact the Oberkommando in Munich. You ask them to confirm this procedure for you, to provide the exact address of the Oberkommando in Munich. It is possible that these scoundrels will be frightened that you know the procedure and will answer. If they do not answer, I advise you nonetheless to write to Munich at this address a registered letter in German; after 3-4 days telegraph them with a prepaid reply; write that you are going to see your children, that you are an emigrant who fled from trial in a social-democratic case. Dry, factual.

If they do not answer, you can travel via France and England. As for money, we can get it for you as a loan if necessary, do not worry. There is no point in contacting Swiss socialists. There are no other "channels."

I wrote to Olga and sent a letter to Gérard through her. Thank you for the newspapers.

I shake your hand firmly and wish you more peace and more excursions, if not throughout Europe, then through Switzerland and the mountains.

Your Lenin