Ramsgate, 30 August 73

Dear Moor,

If Serraillier does not want to go, we cannot force him, but I cannot release him from his promise, since I have telegraphed it! and in any case he must see for himself how he gets on with the General Council.

Against the reasons you give, it must be borne in mind that it is important for us to have a reporter; without Serraillier we shall get no report on what has taken place, particularly of the private sessions.

But it is absolutely necessary, and our duty towards the General Council, that the two reports which are enclosed here, and which in English are completely useless in Geneva, be translated into French there in good time and sent to Geneva. That you must under the circumstances unconditionally see to. If 3-4 men simultaneously each tackle a piece, it can be done in 1-2 days, and even if it does not turn out entirely as desired, the urgency excuses everything.

The more pitifully our Congress turns out under the circumstances, the better it is, of course, and in so far better that Serraillier does not go. But I am in the awkward position of having given assurances about his going, which I cannot unilaterally revoke.

But why doesn’t even one of those Geneva asses write in good time! Such a swinish business, particularly from the people who started the whole rumpus! And at that, the others will laugh at them, demand that they crawl completely to the cross, recognise their Congress!!! and their new statutes. And this Duval, who appeared so furiously at The Hague, now joins in the howling too – that beats everything.

Well, it’ll be amusing. Greetings to all.

Yours,
F.E.