London, about 29 April 1888 

Dear Liebknecht, 

Enclosed received this morning.?” 

It’s just as well that Fritz? is a bit better. If young William” comes to 
the throne at this particular juncture, he and Bismarck—unless all the 
indications are deceptive—will compound with Russia so as to secure 
her permission for a war with France. It would seem that certain contin- 
gent agreements have already been concluded. In this way, and only in 
this way, would Boulanger constitute a danger, to France no less than to 
Germany. The French would be beaten, but because their fortifications 

4 Frederick III — > Frederick III’s son (William II) 

are so strong, the war would be a protracted one and other people would 
join in. Probably Austria and Italy against Germany, since Russia’s 
permission for something like this could not be obtained without both 
being sacrificed to the Russians. So that means that Bismarck will help 
the Russians to take Constantinople, and that means a world war on 
terms that will quite certainly ensure our eventual defeat—in alliance 
with Russia against the world! I trust this danger will pass. 

Your 

FE.