Dear friend! You are evidently very depressed and nervous on account of the failure. But you must not lose heart. The unpleasantness at the German consulate is a trifle; is it worth paying attention to? And is this not what all émigrés experience in all their dealings with the authorities!

Ganetsky[^1] told me that his wife was allowed to travel through Germany and that the request must be submitted to the military authorities in Munich (Oberkommando der Armee in München*: that must be the case). I would therefore advise, if you want to get to Norway, to do as follows: write and send the same letter (enclosing an envelope with a stamp for the reply) to the German consulate in Zurich, saying that your acquaintances inform you of precedents of permission for transit through Germany being granted to women who are subjects of countries at war with Germany, and that the application should be addressed to the Oberkommando in Munich. You ask them to confirm this procedure for permits and to give you the exact address of the Oberkommando in Munich. It is possible that the scoundrels will be frightened that you know the procedure and will reply.

If they do not reply, I advise you to write all the same to Munich at that address by registered mail in German; after 3–4 days telegraph them with a prepaid reply; write that you are travelling to see your children, that you are an émigré who has fled from trial on a Social-Democratic case. Dryly, factually.

If they do not reply, you can travel via France and England. We shall get you a loan of money, should it be needed, do not worry.

It is not worth appealing to the Swiss socialists. And there are no other “channels.”

I wrote to Olga and sent a letter to Guilbeaux through her[^2]. Thank you for the newspapers.

I firmly press your hand and wish you more calm and more trips – if not around Europe, then around Switzerland and the mountains.

Your Lenin

***

Оn the postcard V. I. Lenin wrote: “M-me Armand. 23. Drosselweg. 23. Bern.”

* — “Representation of the High Command in Munich.” (Probably correct German: “Oberkommando der Armee in München.”)

** — Consulate General of the German Empire in Zurich. Zurich. Kaspar Escherhaus.

*** — Friendly greetings!

* * *

[^1] Ganetsky — a prominent figure in the Polish and Russian revolutionary movement. During the world imperialist war he took an internationalist position.

[^2] N. Ravich — Social-Democrat. Henri Guilbeaux — French socialist, journalist. During the world imperialist war spoke out for the restoration of international ties, took part in the Kienthal Conference. Subsequently went over to Trotskyist positions and became hostile to the U.S.S.R.