London, 19 December 1870 
122 Regent’s Park Road, N.W. 

Dear Mrs Liebknecht, 

We have just received the news that Liebknecht, Bebel and 
Hepner were arrested yesterday. It is the revenge of the Prussians 
for the moral defeats suffered by the Prussian Empire at the 
hands of Liebknecht and Bebel even before it was born.’ We all 
rejoiced here at the courageous behaviour of both of them in the 
Reichstag under circumstances where it was really no small 
achievement to put forward our views freely and defiantly. We 

5* 

suppose that their arrest was motivated above all by petty revenge 
and the wish to destroy the paper as well as to make their 
re-election impossible. The indictment for high treason will turn 
out to be pure moonshine. But the Prussian gentlemen may well 
be greatly mistaken, for in view of the really admirable reaction of 
the German workers which has even compelled that swine 
Schweitzer to acknowledge the leadership of Liebknecht and 
Bebel, this coup de force may well completely miss the target, and 
rather provoke the opposite to what was intended. The German 
workers have displayed an understanding and energy during the 
war which puts them at the head of the European workers’ 
movement at a stroke, and you will appreciate the sense of pride 
with which we witness it. 

However, we also have the duty to make sure, as best we can, 
that our arrested friends and their families in Germany do not 
suffer need, especially at this time when the approaching 
Christmas season is in any case being so bitterly spoilt for them. 
We have therefore taken the liberty of enclosing a £5 note of the 
Bank of England ‘B/10, 04841, London, 12 October 1870’ and 
would ask you to share it with Mrs Bebel. 

We also enclose 7 thalers collected by the local German Workers’ 
Educational Society’ and intended for the families of the 
Brunswickers who have been arrested.'!* Might I ask you to sign 
and return the enclosed receipt for the latter, so that it may be 
returned to the Society as proof that Marx has duly forwarded it. 

My wife? is a revolutionary Irishwoman and so you can imagine 
the rejoicings at home here yesterday on hearing the news that the 
condemned Fenians had been amnestied—albeit in the shabbiest, 
most Prussian of ways. And then to have to hear of the arrest of 
our friends in Germany immediately afterwards! 

Farewell, dear Mrs Liebknecht, and do not lose heart. The 
Prussians, and the Russians, their masters, have started something 
that they will be unable to finish. 

With my warmest sympathy, 
Yours, 
Frederick Engels 

The Marx family sends its best regards to you and fond 
greetings to the children.