Letter to Karl Marx, April 11, 1859

Author(s) Friedrich Engels
Written 11 April 1859


First published in: Marx and Engels, Works, First Russian Edition, Vol. XXII, Moscow 1929
Published in English for the first time in Marx-Engels Collected Works, Volume 40


ENGELS TO MARX

IN LONDON

[Manchester,] Monday, 11 April 1859

D.M.,

Article for Friday on war.[1] The Austrians evidently intend to seize the initiative after all. Very sensible. If I'm not mistaken I have already sent the plan of the war to the Tribune[2] : An Austrian offensive to defeat, first, the Piedmontese and then the invading French severally as they debouch from Mont Cenis, Mont Genèvre, the Col di Tenda and Bocchetta—was that it? I can no longer remember exactly. It'll be a very jolly affair.

What clever-clever SLOW COACHES they are in Berlin. They can't even print a pamphlet[3] ! I've heard absolutely nothing more—it's enough to drive one insane.

En attendant, vive la guerre![4] In 10 days' time they will, I hope, be at each other's throats in Alessandria or Casale, and then who knows what kind of foxes I shall be hunting next SEASON!

Your

F. E.

  1. ↑ F. Engels, 'War Inevitable'.
  2. ↑ F. Engels, 'Chances of the Impending War'.
  3. ↑ This refers to Engels' Po and Rhine.
  4. ↑ In the meantime, three cheers for war!