London, 9 May 1872 
Dear Becker, 

Your suggestion of Geneva as a location for the Congress has 
much in its favour and has much support here, but naturally 
nothing can be decided at the moment since the position can alter 
from day to day.*” In the meantime, we must know, if we are to 
be able to make a final decision, what the situation is like there 
and whether it will be possible for you to be assured of a compact 
and reliable majority of the Swiss delegates. The Alliance people ’° 

a Well, you will see for yourself. 

will use all the old tricks at their disposal to gain the majority for 
themselves, just as in Basle; the Jurassians will make sure that 
imaginary sections secure representation. Apart from Turin, the 
Italians will send nothing but friends of Bakunin—even Milan 
where, since Cuno’s expulsion,’ they once again have the upper 
hand. The Spaniards will be divided, though it is not yet possible 
to say in what proportions. Germany will be weakly represented as 
usual, the same applies to England; for France there will only be a 
few refugees from there and perhaps some from here; the 
Belgians are highly unreliable so that very great efforts will have 
to be made to secure a respectable majority. For a slight majority is 
as bad as none at all, and the squabbling would just start up all 
over again. So let us know what the situation is with you and in 
German Switzerland, and speak quite frankly so that we do not 
miscalculate. 

Cuno has also had to flee from Düsseldorf with the police after 
him and he is now in Seraing near Liége. 

Wegmann is in Manchester, but since he delayed so long the 
situation has changed, business is worse and work is hard to come 
by. However, I shall see to it that he gets something soon. Best 
wishes from Marx. 

Yours very truly, 
F. Engels