London, 24 October 1891

Dear Sorge, I have in front of me your letters of 15 September and 2 and 9 October.

As regards Barondess’ decamping (presumably with the funds?), perhaps you could send me some further details just in case the little man turns up here.

For heaven’s sake do me a kindness and stop supplying me regularly with any American monthlies. I am dying to be able to read a book again; despite the fact that I can only take a proper look at '/, of the newspapers that arrive here, they swallow up all my time-—— but the movement is now so huge and one must, after all, remain au courant! On the other hand, please send me...‘

That the movement is again in the doldrums over there I can readily believe. With you people it’s one long succession of great ups AND powns. But with each up you ultimately gain ground so that in the end it represents an advance. Thus the tremendous onward surge achieved by the Knicurs or Lapor4 and by the wave of srrixes between 1886 and 1888 did on the whole, and despite all setbacks, spell advancement for us. For, after all, the masses are stirring in a way they have never done before. Next time even more ground will be gained. But none the less the standard of living of the native AMERICAN WORKINGman is notably higher even than that of his English counterpart and this alone is enough to put him out of the running for some time to come. Again, there is the competition from immigrants and other factors besides. When the time comes over there, things will move with tremendous speed and dynamism, but that may not be for some while yet. Miracles never happen. And, in addition, there’s the unfortunate business of your supercilious Germans who, wishing to double the role of schoolmaster with that of commanding officer, discourage the natives from learning even the best they have to offer.

I shall send the money to the Socialiste as soon as I know who it’s for; Lafargue is in jug, as you know; I have not yet had an answer.

The Entwicklung des Soziahsmus, translated by Aveling and edited by me, is to appear over here in English (in Sonnenschein’s Social Series); this authorised translation will pretty well neutralise the pirated American edition?'! which has been done into quite execrable English. And the thing isn’t even complete— what they found too difficult they simply left out.

Needless to say, Mother Wischnewetzky gladly consented to Sonnenschein’s publishing the Condition, etc.” in her translation. The fee, however, is to go to Mrs Foster-Amery. Cela m’est bien égal.“ For the rest, she seems really pleased to have been able to establish contact again and tells me what a rotten time they are having, etc., etc.

I should like to have Bakunin’s biography; from it one could get some idea of how present-day anarchist tradition depicts that Messiah.

Letter of the 12th of this month now also received. Thanks.

In Erfurt everything went off very well. I shall send you the official record as soon as it comes out; Bebel says that the reports of the police elements in their midst, while some are also covert anarchists who are out to surreptitiously convert our chaps; along with these are the jackasses, swollen-headed students and failed candidates, would-be bigwigs of all descriptions. Barely 200 of them all told.— Mr Vollmar likewise had to eat humble pie; the latter is far more dangerous than the former, being more cunning and tenacious as well as vain to the point of folly, and intent at all costs on playing a role. Bebel put up an excellent performance, as did Singer, Auer and Fischer (used to be on the Sozialdemokrat here, a really sterling chap, aside from being the bluntest of blunt Bavarians). To Liebknecht fell the bitter task of havYou will have seen that Lafargue is standing in Lille, and will hear the result of tomorrow’s election ‘ long before you get this letter. If he isn’t elected, he will be sure of a seat in the Département du Nord at the coming general election.??

The threat of war looms larger despite the famine in Russia. The Russians want to make prompt and thorough use of the diplomatic possibilities presented by the new French alliance?8 and, although I am convinced that the Russian diplomats do not want war and that the famine would make it seem an absurdity, the military and panSlav currents of opinion (the latter being now supported by the very powerful industrial bourgeoisie with an eye to expanding markets) may nevertheless prevail, while in Vienna, Berlin or Paris there might also be blunders which would lead to a war. Bebel and I have been corresponding about this and are of the opinion that if the Russians start a war against us, German socialists should lash out @ outrance“ at the Russians and their allies, whoever they may be. If Germany is crushed, so shall we be, while at best the struggle will be so intense that only revolutionary means will enable Germany to hold its own, and hence there is every likelihood that we may be forced to take the Next week I start on Volume III.’

Warm regards to your wife” and to you yourself.

Your F.E.