Leon Trotsky: Telegram to Édouard Herriot

December 7, 1932

[Writing of Leon Trotsky, Vol. 4, 1932, New York 1973, p. 343]

Together with my wife, I have received authorization to pass through France, from Istanbul to Copenhagen and return. At Dunkirk my friends informed me that by missing the boat we would be forced to remain nine days in France, near Marseilles, which did not enter our traveling plans. We made arrangements accordingly. Upon our arrival in Marseilles we were put on an Italian boat, Campidiglio, in spite of the fact that this unexpected turn disorganized the new arrangements. We ascended the boat without objection in order not to create an incident. We then learned that this boat is not indicated in our voyage and that it takes fifteen days to get to Istanbul which, without speaking of the material difficulties, would be entirely harmful to my wife's and my health. When I tried to explain to the special commissioner that I cannot leave on this boat, he threatened me with violent measures.

The transit visas, even the strictest, do not signify, at least without previous formal advice, the right of the police to hold me as a prisoner and to force me to take a boat which is absolutely contrary to that indicated for my trip. I hope that the French government will prevent this abuse. I am ready to leave France by way of Italy, and I hope that the Italian government will not refuse me a transit visa through Venice, which would permit me to leave France tomorrow or the day after.

I await your reply on the docks of Marseilles, with my wife, surrounded by police agents. The declaration of the police chief that he can take no responsibility for the attitude of the Russian Whites cannot change my decision, which is dictated by the circumstances.

L. Trotsky

P. S. I have just learned that the police are going to put us in a hotel in order to set us on the Italian boat by force if the Italian land visa is not given us before our departure.