Written: 16 August 1940.
First Published: Fourth International, Vol.1 No.5, October 1940, p.127.
Transcription/HTML Markup: David Walters:
Copyleft: Leon Trotsky Internet Archive (www.marxists.org) 2002. Permission is granted to copy and/or distribute this document under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License:
August 16, 1940
Dear Friend Charles:
Everything has been received. I will use your testimony only in case of real necessity, but in such a case it would be extremely helpful.
The bullet-proof vest has been piously admired by everyone. We have not yet decided upon what occasion we will wear it. In any case it can be used on trips. On the other hand I doubt if it would be comfortable enough as a protection during sleep.
The siren provoked even more admiration. It is wonderful enough just in appearance. We have not yet tried it out because we do not wish to provoke some supplementary “zafaranchos” (clearing for action); for we are told that this siren can be heard from here to Los Angeles. I, personally, consider this an exaggeration.
We had a talk with comrade T, and his sister, both of whom produced a good impression. We will have some more talks with them.
More than two and a half months of my time has been almost exclusively devoted to the investigation (of the May 24 assault). Tomorrow I shall present to the judge a very large memorandum about the Mexican Stalinists, the GPU and the financial aid to the Moscow agents, with affidavits from Ben Gitlow, Joseph Zack, Walter Krivitsky and Albert Goldman. I hope this memorandum will not fail to have its effect. And now I hope to be able to go back to my book.
Our warmest thanks for the exceptional gifts and our fraternal greetings.
Last updated on: 22.4.2007