Leon Trotsky: No Deal with German Government

January 23, 1932

[Writing of Leon Trotsky, Vol. 4, 1932, New York 1973, p. 31]

Istanbul, Turkey, Jan. 23 (AP) — Leon Trotsky, exiled by the Soviet Russian government, said today there was no truth in reports that he would be admitted to Germany in exchange for a promise to throw the support of his followers to Chancellor Brüning against Adolf Hitler.

"That report is an invention from top to bottom," he added. "I have not asked the German government for a visa and consequently there has been no reason for that government to suggest any conditions under which I might enter Germany.

"The idea that I would suggest support for the Brüning government is such nonsense that a denial is unnecessary. I consider the German policy a matter for the German people The Mueller government refused me a visa to Germany three years ago upon the insistence of Joseph Stalin, and there is no reason to hope that the Brüning government would do otherwise"