International Communism and World Revolution: History & Methods

"If, contrary to Party custom, I address myself to you directly and personally, I am induced to do so by my absolute and unlimited faith in you as head of the world Communist movement....

The German Communist Party is perhaps the largest after the W.K.P., which you have so brilliantly and successfully led...

Walter Ulbricht has said that a comrade from the SPD once declared, 'Here comes Walter to carry out Stalin's programme'. He ( Ulbricht) added, 'Yes, comrades, that is what is involved. Now we are going to practise Stalinist policies.' I do not doubt, and I know, that you will refuse to allow these policies to be called 'Stalinist policies'.

This letter is intended to be a cry for help, a cry intended to draw your attention to the danger I believe I can see. Perhaps I am wrong. Perhaps I am seeing something suspicious in what are merely personal differences. If so, I shall be the first to withdraw.

Hoping to see you and to be able to carry on my work, and hoping to be given your comradely help, as in past years, I remain, etc."

"It is the pride of my life that I am the first German Socialist to have become a comrade in the Bolshevik struggle, that I was a comrade in the difficult times and always shall be, until I die."

"My dear friend,

Thank you for your kind message, which was passed on to me by L.F.¹...

I know that my political concepts are Communist and correct. But at the same time I also know that I have gravely offended against formal Party discipline. I told you in a previous letter that if I am measured by the normal yardstick, then I shall be condemned....

I have not hitherto tried to minimize the gravity of my mistakes,