Leon Trotsky: My Interrogation by the Police

Mid-April 1934

[Writing of Leon Trotsky, Vol. 14, New York 1979, p. 474-476]

1. The inspectors visited me officially only in order to interrogate me as a “witness” in the business about the motorcycle, which supposedly had not been settled.

2. It was during the interrogation about the motorcycle that the district attorney from Melun told me that I had only received a residence visa for Corsica and my presence at Barbizon was irregular. I protested most categorically against this arbitrary charge, which, moreover, had nothing to do with the matter in question — the motorcycle.

By the way, it should be mentioned that it was in my letters to Mr. Parijanine, a French writer and translator of my books, that I wrote about the possibility of residence in Corsica. As far as I know, Parijanine showed this letter to Mr. Guemut, who had at that time intervened in favor of a visa. But the responsible authorities have never mentioned Corsica as a place assigned for my residence in France. The French consul general in Istanbul presented me a visa with no restrictions. The official of the Sûreté Générale who received me in Marseilles had me sign a paper that accorded me residence in France on the same terms as any other foreigner, at my own risk and with no restrictions.

I have never been to Corsica. I spent several months in Charente-Inferieure. I moved to Seine-et-Marne, all the while keeping the proper authorities informed. All assertions to the contrary are inventions without the slightest basis in fact.

3. The press relates the substance of my interrogation as a witness in a totally fanciful and malevolent fashion. But what astonishes me the most is that this supposed account contains statements I made (more or less accurate) and facts the inspectors observed. Without getting into the question of whether observations made by inspectors who have entered the house for the purpose of examining a witness can be divulged through the press, I will limit myself to the affirmation that I had nothing to hide. Thus the press talks about two revolvers that were on my table. This is correct. When I saw the police enter our house, I not only left my revolver where it was but I put my wife’s revolver on the table, as these were the only objects that the police could have been interested in.

4. There is talk in the press about the Fourth International. This topic was not brought up at all by the inspectors who honored me with their visit. No one mentioned any of the Internationals, neither the ones that are dying nor the one that is being born. If anyone had raised a question about this, I would undoubtedly have given him some pamphlets or articles on the Fourth International that I have published in various languages.

I have been quoted as saying: “I am an old conspirator.” But this has been distorted. After repeating insistences about the “irregularities” committed by my co-worker [Klement] in connection with the business about the motorcycle, I commented that it is impossible to foresee everything and that personally I was not interested in this question. I added that as an “old conspirator,” if I had had anything to hide from the French authorities, I would have perhaps paid more attention — even to the question of the motorcycle.

5. A great deal has been written about the “strange” existence of the inhabitants of the villa in Barbizon. This is correct. We don’t spend our time there vacationing in the countryside or relaxing. We work very hard. Usually neither the piano nor the radio is to be heard, but rather the typewriter.

I am busy with a book about Lenin, which is supposed to be ready for publication in various countries, including France, by January 1, 1935.I need extensive documentation. My son and my co-workers bring me voluminous materials, sometimes dozens of thick volumes or copies, according to my instructions.

I should add that every day I receive letters and documents from every comer of the globe, sent spontaneously by people whom, for the most part, I do not know. Usually they concern questions on the world economic and political situation, the phenomenon of fascism, the workers’ movement, etc. Unfortunately, because I am absorbed by my book, not only am I unable to reply, but I cannot even read a tenth of the documents and letters received.

It is clear that I had no interest in divulging my place of residence, thereby bringing about some complication or other that might impede my regular work. The need to guard my anonymity means that I cannot receive my voluminous correspondence at my Barbizon address. My co-workers bring it to me from Paris two or three times a week. And this was how my correspondence happened to be found on my co-worker when he was seized because the headlight on his motorcycle was out.

As for secret printing presses and other such nonsense that the least intelligent part of the press talks about, there is no point in discussing this.