Rosa Luxemburg
Letters to Sophie Liebknecht


Breslau, October 18, 1918


Darling Sonichka,

I wrote to you the day before yesterday. So far I have had no answer to the telegram I sent to the Imperial Chancellor; I may have to wait several days for an answer. But this much is certain, in my present mood I can no longer endure to receive my friends’ visits under the supervision of the warders. I have borne it patiently all these years, and in other circumstances I should have continued to bear it. But the complete change in the general situation has had its reaction upon my own psychology. To carry on a conversation under supervision, to find it impossible to talk about the things that really interest me would now be intolerable. I would rather forego having visitors until we are all at liberty once more.

Things can’t go on like this much longer. Now that Dittmann[55] and Kurt Eisner[56] have been set free, I am sure that the door will soon be open for myself, and for Karl too. We had better wait until we can meet in Berlin.

Till then, much love.
Always your
Rosa


Footnotes

[55] German Social Democrat, born 1874. As member of the German Reichstag, he was one of those who from 1916 onwards voted against the war credits. A member of the Independent group which seceded from the Social Democratic Party. Entered into a fresh alliance with the SPD after the German revolution of November 9, 1918, and helped to form the provisional government. At present member of the NEC of the United Social Democratic Party of Germany.

[56] German (Bavarian) Socialist politician and author, born 1867, frequently imprisoned for “sedition” and kindred offences. President of the revolutionary government in Bavaria. Assassinated by a reactionary nobleman on February 21, 1919.


Last updated on: 16.12.2008