Letter to Wilhelm Liebknecht, April 29, 1888

Author(s) Friedrich Engels
Written 29 April 1888


First published in: Marx and Engels, Works, First Russian Edition, Vol. XXVIII, Moscow, 1940
Published in English for the first time in Marx-Engels Collected Works, Volume 48


ENGELS TO WILHELM LIEBKNECHT

IN BORSDORF NEAR LEIPZIG

London, about 29 April 1888

Dear Liebknecht,

Enclosed received this morning.[1]

It's just as well that Fritz[2] is a bit better. If young William[3] comes to the throne at this particular juncture, he and Bismarck—unless all the indications are deceptive—will compound with Russia so as to secure her permission for a war with France. It would seem that certain contin- gent agreements have already been concluded. In this way, and only in this way, would Boulanger constitute a danger, to France no less than to Germany. The French would be beaten, but because their fortifications are so strong, the war would be a protracted one and other people would join in. Probably Austria and Italy against Germany, since Russia's permission for something like this could not be obtained without both being sacrificed to the Russians. So that means that Bismarck will help the Russians to take Constantinople, and that means a world war on terms that will quite certainly ensure our eventual defeat—in alliance with Russia against the world! I trust this danger will pass.

Your

F.E.

  1. ↑ Engels sent Lafargue's letter on 27 April 1888, addressed TO WILHELM LIEBKNECHT, pertaining to the preparation of an international labour congress. P. Lafargue believed that in this way his letter would reach the addressee the sooner.
  2. ↑ Frederick III
  3. ↑ Frederick Ill's son (William II)