Riga, Latvia, Dec. 9th, 1921.

My dearest Fitzie-- Long I have yearned for this moment when I should be able to write to you, unhampered by the R. censorship. It's almost two years, dearest, since we bid each other good hope. Well, we did not think then such a long time would pass without meeting again. Many strange and terrible things have happened during that time, much has been gone through socially and individually, -- but of that I could talk to you only in person. Yet amid all my world experience in that unfortunate country, you and the memory of you have remained fresh and sacred in my heart. Dear Verotilda[sic.], I hope you are not angry with me. True, I may have hurt you repeatedly. But on't forget it, if you can, dear. I have suffered for it. But not really of that I want to speak just now. My hand is shaking with excitement at the thought that you may really read this letter -- for so many of my letters you seem to have missed, and as to your letters, hardly any ever reached. There were only two since December, of last year -- one in Jan. and one in August. So you will understand how I yearn for a line from you, dear. Dear, I don't knwo what your feelings to me are now, but I ask you, even for the sake of our happy days together, write me a letter -- answer this one at once please. I shall look for it anxiously. I am hungry for a look at your handwriting. I had to destroy all letters before I left R. Tell me how you are, dear, what you are doing, what your life is like.

-2-

2) I feel very near to you, dear, but your life seems so far away, and sometimes I fear I am a stranger in it. Yet you are dearer to me than anyone else, and I love you, dear, with a love that cannot forget.
     Now to other things. We need passes to leave R. and go to Germany. Our wish was to attend the Congress in Berlin which is to take place the 25th inst. (only the other day we were informed by friends in B. that the Congress is to be held on the q.t.) Anyhow, we received visas for Latvia and Lithuania (Kesna). One must go from here to Kesna and then to Berlin, as the way through Viceat[sic.] from here is impractical for various reasons (it reuires passing the police control in Poland refuses visas) But we have also not received German visas, and it looks as if we won't get them. We are seeking various ways; so far it is quite uncertain how or if we can get to Germany. We may soon go to Kesna and try from there. But somehow we mean to get to Berlin.
     Now, the point is this: In the first place, I need means of living in Germany. In the second place I have plans for work there which will also require means. In short, I need funds. The only way I can get them, of course, is by writing. Can you help me in this, Dear? I have no one else I can turn to in this mater. Of course, I don't want you to send me any money. It is not that I mean. I know you are working hard and long hours, and I suppose you don't earn any too much youself. What I mean is this: Can you help me place a secret (or several secret) of articles in papers or magazines that will pay decently for it? Of course, not in anti-revolutionary publications, but in radical or at least liberal periodicals. Maybe Stella or Abbott could help in this.

-3-

3) I am also writing to Dr. Mac. to inquire is the F.A.S. can use and pay for regular weekly articles, or for a series of articles. Please see him about it. Of course, I would not want my articles to be exclusively written for the F.A.S. In the first place, I want a larger crowd of readers; int he second place, the F.A.S. could not pay sufficiently.
     Of course, I should not want any editor of any magazine to ... of articles from me in the same light as that of some other ordinary correspondant. I am not an ordinary correspondant, in the first place. In the second place, my articles will be of a thoroughly original viewpoint and of literary quality with exceptional historic value (even if I say so my self, Dear. I know it's true). Outside of that, few people have had such exceptional opportunities for study and observations in Russia as I have had. In short, you will undersatand why I consider my articles as highly desireable for any sensible publication, if the editors only had sense enough to understand it.
     Of course, the sum of my experiences in R. I mean to incorporate in a book. And I mean it wil be the book of my life. I am full of it and could begin writing it taday -- if you were with me. Otherwise I must postpone. I had promised myself long ago that my next book I must write with you. I shall wait to hear if you are willing. I have kept a detailed diary since the first day of my arrival in R. (In fact, the diary began on the ship)

-4-

4) I dream of that book as one of the great events in Western literature -- I want it and I plan it to be not only a great peice of literature, but equally a great piece of history. I want it to be the best work so far written in Russia, the best elucidation of the great events there, the most unpredjudiced, the most just, the clearest exposition of actual facts and events, of politics and unethals[sic.], of results in human tears and blood -- the whole garnet of human suffer, the true picture of the Revolution and -- the historical lesson that automatically flows from it, a warning to all mankind, the source of future blessing or the greatest curse of man that will devastate all countries and wipe civilization off the face of the earth. Neither you nor anyone outside of R. knows or can know the terror that Russ. conditions have planted in the hearts of Russians, and the fire of liberty they have lit, at the same time, in every hut and level. Only if I can throw upon the glass canvas of world reaction the clear silhouette of the revolution, in all its frightfull terrors and inspiring beauty, then I shall feel that the thousands and hundred thousands of lives sacrificed have not been in vain, and that I have done my duty by humanity and feajons[sic.].

-5-

5) Hell, it's not of this I really want to write to you, dear, but I am just on fire with the passion of writing -- of writing this great book, this my Song of Songs, nay, my real Song of Life, of Revolution, I am just pining to write it, and now maybe I am on the threshold of the actual realization -- will you help me, dear? I must have you near me to do the work as my soul visions it. I must have you -- to do it hut[sic.] that passion and abandon which it requires to be what it ought, should and can be. I need you, Verafshkia[sic.]. I await your answer.
     Now, as to the series of articles. I don't want them to interfere with the scheme of my book. They will be different, of course, Ty[sic.] for me, cautial[sic.] etc. from my book. I must know, however, before I write the series of articles, for whom and for what I write, what subject is preferred, what length of article, how many on one subject, etc. Also what pay, for my first movements, work etc. will to a great extent depend on the amount of funds I can confidently rely on each week or each month. Will you, dear, make the necessary inquireies? And if you are too busy, I also lereanth[sic.] ask St. and Palza to aid you and me in this matter. I'll appreciate a reply at the earliest possible moment. We still have some money, but my work and life in Germ. will rewuire considerable funds. (Ten of our friends - several of them our best, have recently been deported from Russ. prisons to Germany, they are all politicals and I am to rasix[sic.] several of them far in behalf of our starving prisoners and imprisoned people in R. which will require means.)

-6-

6) Now a word as to the general spirit and scope of articles on R. The R. Revol. is an event of the greatest historic and human importance. So far only the most superficial and subjective information have been given. I have read most of them. Such an event must be appreciated in a spirit of sypathetic understanding, and dealt with an unpredjudiced mind. Yet the lesson is so tremendous and significant, that to gloss over defeat, or to like the truth would be nothing short of a crime toward the wellbeing of humanity. I think that, to a great extent, the further evolution of war depends on the proper realization of the full lesson to be learned from the R.R. The full truth will come out some day. Tht day has come. I must be told now. The whole story, with all its beautiful , soul renching[sic.] lights and all its terrific, heart renching[sic.] dark sides.
     As to the subjects for articles, affialinetly![sic.]
     1) Two years in R. - presonal experiences
     2) Travels on the Unkraine
     3) The North: Archangelsx[sic.] in December
     4) A Pogrouied[sic.] City (Fastor)
     5) Russia in 1920 and in 1921
          (From attempted Communism to Free Trade)
     6) Education, Children
     7) Social life, economic forms
     8) Trade Unionism in R.
     9) Prisons - Hunger Strikes of Politicals
     10) The Terror of Russia: the B.T.K. (all Russian

-7-

Extraordinary Communism, Secret Service)
     11) New forms of prostitution and child prostitution
     12)Ideals and Facts of Revolution
     13)Counter Revolution in R.
     14)Peasant Uprisings; labor uprisings
     15)The Kronstadt Revolts, March 1921
     16)Makhno[sic.] and his people
     17)The [sic.]
     18)Dictatorship
     19)The Failure of State Communism
     20)Russia Now
     21)Russian new Art, Poetry, Drama, etc.
This is merely a rough list of possible subjects. I should prefer to write them all in the form of personal experiences, though it would depend for what magazine I write.
     Well, the letter is getting taobiy[sic.] and tiresome, I fear. I shall anxiously wait for a reply. Write me to R. Roener; enclose in double envelope, write my name on the inside envelope. And write me, dear, about youself, all that