Writing from Kuokkala, Finland, an hour outside of St. Petersburg, where she was investigating/participating in the aftermath of the 1905 Revolution (the trial of Soviet leaders is beginning) after being released from prison, Rosa Luxemburg’s letter to Luise Kautsky about needing newspapers; worries of health, money, and the police; mentions Karl Kautsky, Alexandra Kollontai, Emanuel Wurm, and Alexander Parvus. All with her usual wit, self-deprecation, and wonderfully refined allusions.

August 22, 1906, Letter to Luise Kautsky’ by Rosa Luxemburg from Letters to Karl and Luise Kautsky from 1896 to 1918. Robert M. McBride and Company, New York. 1925. Letters to Karl and Luise Kautsky from 1896 to 1918 by Rosa Luxemburg. Edited by Luise Kautsky, Translated by Louis Lochner. Robert M. McBride and Company, New York. 1925

Kuokkala, Finland

August 22, 1906.

Dearest Lulu:

At last a dear, long letter from you after so long a period of anxiety and waiting! A thousand thanks to you for the joy which, however, is unfortunately much beclouded by the distressing news about your leg. I felt certain that the matter had long been put in order. Wurms wrote so confidently when you were in the Tyrol and a fractured leg is usually cured without difficulty albeit with much pain! The suggestion that our Sussmann may have bungled the job gives me such a scare that I don’t dare believe that it may be true. But, dearest, what a fool idea to call Sussmann in on a fractured leg! He is good for tummy-ache and the like, but he’s certainly no surgeon!! How could you treat the matter so lightly? Who has you in charge now and what prospects does he open to you? Write me at once, for I am much worried. And remember that I like to see you compete with me in all matters except that I won’t stand for any in the matter of limping! Just you leave this entirely to me — this “waddling.” (You remember who called my graceful walk by that name?) And now, on top of it all, you have so much running around to do, to which I contribute a goodly share! How much I should prefer to be in Friedenau now, to relieve you of this running! Well, from Arthur I have already received three letters, in each of which he assures me that I am not to be expedited back (a thing of which, of course, nobody dreamed) in case I return home, and that he is waiting for my power-of-attorney, which I had already sent him three days previously. I entertain the same doubts as you in Puncto Arturus but, out of the same considerations that weigh with you also, cannot turn to some other star at the same time. So let’s have patience! I have gained so much practice recently in this burgomaster’s virtue that it seems like a normal state. The “printed matter” package containing Schiller has reached me. Many thanks! I am still waiting for the trade union series (it is to appear in Polish in leaflet form). Also received the “Vorw” (containing a selection of articles regarding the discussion); I have already snooped around in them and “I feel ill at Plevna.” (*1) (But don’t tell anybody!) The “NZ.” hasn’t arrived yet; Uncle Dietz is in no hurry. At least, dearest, send me the issues with Henriette’s and Carl’s articles. — I haven’t seen Koll, (*2) nor do I know her address. I avoid society as much as possible as I am really voraciously hungry for work. Among other things there are prospects of my earning several milliards here, which fact gives me courage to ask you also to pay my bills with Godfather Tailor and with the blessed Sheik. (*3) As for Wietholter (*4) give him 25 M. at the outside and let him give you a receipt. (I also do it that way.) Don’t give him any more under any circumstances and tell him I shall soon return home and settle the balance myself. — As for sending larger amounts here from the bank, this is proving more and more difficult in view of the events at Warsaw. I advise my friends rather to help themselves for a while longer by borrowing, rather than risk a big loss in transmission. All people with money in Poland are sending their funds abroad, so that I would rather not tempt the devil. Just think, Parvus is to be sent away today; I received the news yesterday; but I can’t see him again. Put a notice about it in the “V.” in case none has as yet appeared there. “Let them burst” — the Heines, Hues, (*5) and whatever else the rabble may be named. There is still a slight hope that he may be recalled, together with several others, while en route, for all of them are witnesses in the pending trial of the “Council of Workers’ Deputies,” and the state’s attorney’s office is considering the question as to how these witnesses may be gotten hold of. — What you write me about Wermchen (*6) is most distressing; poor Karl! I have resolved to help him as much as possible when once I am back in the region of Friedenau; at least while Wurm is away on leave. — I haven’t an inkling about the School for Agitators and Editors (*7) — what is it and who’s behind it? Write me, dearest, as soon as you find a moment’s time. Only one letter has gone astray here so far, and that is certainly like paradise.

With a thousand embraces,

Your R

NOTES

1. A joke circulating at the time of the Russo-Turkish war, when the Tsar besieged Plevna and was thrown back by the Turks. The newspapers then wrote as follows: “The Tsar writes to the Tsarina, ‘I feel very ill at Plevna.’ Transl.

2. Alexander Kollontay, now Soviet ambassador to Norway . Transl.

3. Her grocery-man. L.K.

4. A tailor in Friedenau (the Godfather Tailor above referred to). L.K.

5. German comrades of the right wing of the party, so-called reformists. Otto Hue was president of the German Miners’ Federation until his death in 1921. — Transl.

6. Wurm was very ill at that time and had to take a half year’s leave of absence. L.K.

7. The later Party School. L.K.

Letters to Karl and Luise Kautsky from 1896 to 1918 by Rosa Luxemburg. Edited by Luise Kautsky, Translated by Louis Lochner. Robert M. McBride and Company, New York. 1925.

Contents: Introduction by Luise Kautsky, Beginnings, 1896-1899, Incipient Friendship1900-1904, From the Imprisonment at Zwickau to the First Russian Revolution, The First Russian Revolution 1905-06, Up to the World War 1907-1914, Letters from Prison During the War 1915-1918, Postscript by Luise Kautsky, Appendix: Biography of Karl Kautsky. 238 pages.

PDF of book: https://www.marxists.org/archive/luxemburg/posthumous/lettersofrosaluxemburg-1922.pdf