{London,] 29 August 1873 
Dear Frep, 

Serraillier was here this evening. He was full of complaints and 
very much in two minds about his going to Geneva.” * Quite apart 
from personal reasons, he says he had only agreed in the first 
place because he thought we were going. In addition, however, he 
has now read the mandate, which had been promised him two 
weeks before the Congress, so he says. He finds that it contains 
things, such as increasing the powers of the Counc, that he could 
not defend either personally or in the name of the Fepera 
Councu.. 

But none of that is the essential point. The Frpera. Councit has 
received a letter from Perret which makes it clear 

1. that the Fédération Romande wishes to annul the plenary 
powers granted to the Genera, Counc. by the Hague Congress”; 

a instalment - > edition in serial parts - © K. Marx and F. Engels, The Alliance of 
Socialist Democracy and the International Working Men’s Association. - 4 Bakunin - 
€ Marx’s pseudonym - f the British Federal Council 

2. that not a single member of the Romance gang in Geneva 
will accept a mandate from an English section, apart from Duval, 
and even he will only do so on the condition stated under 1; 

3. that, as Perret writes, none of the oafs there is prepared to 
spend as much as a week at the Congress, which would be 
essential if the mandate is to go through. 

Under these circumstances I am definitely of the opinion that it 
would be better for Serraillier not to go. The scandal rebounds 
back on us, not him, if he goes—under these circumstances, which 
could not have been foreseen. In my view he should send a letter 
enclosing the American papers” and go on to say that ill health 
prevents him from taking up the mandates he has received from 
New York, London, etc. Finally, he should say that the letters he 
has received in London from the main continental countries have 
convinced him that in the light of circumstances currently 
prevailing in France, Germany, Austria, Denmark, Portugal, etc., 
no bona fide congress is possible. 

Telegraph Yes right away, if you agree; No, if opposed. I did 
not wish to commit myself to anything definite without consulting 
you first. 

In view of the circumstances in Switzerland, which have been 
carefully concealed from us up to the last moment, I think it would 
be absolutely crazy to send Serraillier. Our complete abstention, 
which even at this stage both can and will make an impression on 
the governments and the bourgeoisie—despite the hullabaloo the 
papers will create to start with—va au diable,* if Serraillier turns 
up under these circumstances. , 

Salut. Vouk 

K. M. 

Sorge also writes (perhaps you know already) that the Dutch 
have informed them that they will also. attend the Jura Con- 
gress,°"' and he insists that the Dutch should not be admitted to 
our (!) Congress, a point which Serraillier, as their mandated 
representative, is expressly asked to support. 

My compliments To Mrs.”