Leon Trotsky: Letter to Henri Guemut

May 31, 1933

[Writing of Leon Trotsky, Vol. 13. Supplement (1929-1933), New York 1979, p. 249, title: “What I Would Do in France”]

To Deputy Henri Guemut

Dear Sir:

Some of my friends took the initiative to obtain for me the right to live in France. They were supported by political and literary figures. I am told that you, Mr. Deputy, intervened with energy and authority in this matter. I thank you for it.

I do not think that the difficulty consists of the fact that I was expelled from France in 1917 for my activities during the war. What may disturb the French authorities is the future and not the past. So I want to say frankly: if I come to France, I will remain totally isolated from political activity; I will not intervene in the life of any organizations; I will hold neither conferences nor meetings; as I do here, in Prinkipo, I will regulate my life in a manner that could not give any anxiety to the authorities in charge of public order.

My intentions are quite simple: to get medical care for my wife and myself; to have the opportunity to use the treasures of the French libraries; to read the French and English newspapers, not four or five days after they appear, but the very same day; and to pursue my literary work.

My best regards,

Leon Trotsky