Trotsky Accuses Stalin of Direct Responsibility for Daughter’s Death

Leon Trotsky, the exiled Soviet leader, now residing on the island of Prinkipo, Turkey, accuses Josef Stalin, the Soviet dictator, responsible for his exile, with direct responsibility for the suicide of his daughter, Sinaida Wolkow, who took her own life last week in her Berlin apartment, which he brands as “a senseless revenge against me.”

In a letter written to his German translator, Alexandra Ramm, Trotsky affirms that his daughter took her own life because she was not permitted to return to Soviet Russia.

Sinaida’s death was not desired by her, but imposed by Stalin, Trotsky asserts.

“When at the end of 1930, Stalin allowed by consumptive daughter, Sinaida Wolkow, to go abroad I was not aware that Stalin intended subsequently to deny her permission to return home.

“Sinaida was psychologically affected by the death of her sister, Nina, and found it the severest blow to learn that she was never to see her ten year old daughter and husband whom Stalin banned because he is a Leninist.

“Psychiatrists expressed the opinion that only a quick return to her family would save Sinaida, but Stalin denied her permission to do so.

“Everywhere Stalin, in conjunction with the capitalistic police, prevents the stay of my sick family in healthy districts.

“Sinaida’s death was not desired by her, but imposed by Stalin. Such a conclusion will be drawn also by the Communist Party when it is re-estab lished,” charges Trotsky.

Sinaida Wolkow left a note declaring that her suicide was due to her ill health. Trotsky’s younger son, Serjosha, a student at the Berlin Polytechnic Institute, stated, however, that she was driven to the act by the threat of the Berlin police not to renew her permit to remain in the country.

A six year old son, whom she brought with her into exile, was placed in the custody of Serjosha.

The news of his daughter’s death deeply affected Trotsky to whom the news was immediately relayed at Prinkipo. Since her death he has not received visitors. It is known that he himself is ill. It was reported that his secretary had been despatched to bring a foreign specialist to treat him.