Schoenman mentions that the BRPF will raise the matter of his children again with East German authorities.

Also present is a copy of the letter, document .178347, TL(CAR).

Strinitz informs Schoenman that his children have been permitted to leave East Germany; see record 66401.

Schoenman informs Strinitz that the BRPF is "delighted to learn of the reunion of your family"; see record 66402.

Schillbach informs Schoenman that his fiancée and child were given permission to leave East Germany; however, "my fiancée had not the heart to leave her parental home!"

Colloms is a U.S. Attorney-at-Law in the U.K. who is a member of the New York bar.

Colloms is the BRPF representative assigned to the Hellen Battle case. Battle is charged with assisting East Germans to escape. At the foot of the letter in Colloms' hand: "If Lord Russell writes, may I please have a copy of the letter? AC". Colloms asks that "a copy of Mark Lane's Rush to Judgment be sent to Battle."

Attached to the letter is document .178351, AN. The note informs Schoenman that "Helen Battle was released a few days after Colloms' visit—together with 3 other U.S. prisoners in East Germany." The note is in Farley's hand.

The enclosed reports are as follows:

Document .178353, a six-page TS(CAR), "Amnesty and Clemency for Helen Battle, Prisoner in the German Democratic Republic".
Unnumbered document, a two-page TSS. The report is an addendum to document .178353 and has typed on it "This report is not for transmittal to anyone except Lord Russell and Ralph Schoenman."

BR thanks Colloms for the report concerning Helen Battle (see record 66406), and mentions that "I am writing other letters as you suggest and shall send you copies in the very near future."

Farley thanks Colloms for his "recent activities" and encloses a cheque for £2.15.10 (not present).

A letter of introduction authorizing Lionel Colloms to act on behalf of the BRPF in East Germany in regard to the case of Hellen Battle. Colloms is misspelt "Collums", as presumably the person is Albert L. Colloms.

Barnes offers Russell a job teaching at $6000 a year and one lecture a week.

Also in file: a carbon copy with the typed note at the top: "Original mailed to Fallen Leaf Lake Post Office, Lake Tahoe, Cal."

BR suggests that his lectures be "on different philosophies of the past and their influence on culture and social questions...."

Barnes presents his views on Russell's prospective lectures.

The document is a biographical sketch of Hellen Battle.

The author mentions that they can "... vaguely remember a letter arriving from Helen Battle subsequently, addressed either to Ralph or to Lord Russell...." Although the author mentions that they have no record of Battle's letter, it is indicated on the document that "it went to McMaster!".

The note is initialled "PMW" in Farley's hand.

The date must be between 1968 and 1972.

The document gives a rough outline of the Hellen Battle case, and suggests that the BRPF contact her lawyer, Elsie Simminds, and Mr. Livingstone to obtain more information.

Colloms is the lawyer assigned to the Hellen Battle case by the BRPF.

BR congratulates Collums on his efforts, having "... read in Saturday's papers that Miss Hellen Battle was being released by the East German authorities."

At the top left-hand corner: "Ralph: note + file" in Farley's hand.

A thank-you letter to Lane for his efforts in securing her release from East Germany.

Schoenman tells Battle that the BRPF is "delighted that you have been released from prison"; and informs Battle that he will try to forward her letter addressed to Mark Lane (see record 66415) to him.

A thank-you letter to the BRPF and Schoenman for their efforts in securing her release from prison in East Germany. Battle notes that the BRPF is opening a New York office and suggests "perhaps I can in some way be of help to you."

Schoenman thanks Battle for her previous letter (see record 66417), and in response to her offer of assistance provides an address where she can contact Mark Lane in Denmark, and the address of Russell Stetler in New York concerning the IWCT.

Schoenman congratulates Colloms on his successful efforts to secure Hellen Battle's release from an East German prison.

Although the letter is not signed, it is assumed to have been written by Schoenman.

Farley informs Hahn that BR "... has made many representations to the Soviet authorities, both privately and publicly, in favour of those imprisoned in the Soviet Union or under Soviet control", including Rudolf Hess.

BR writes to the editor of the Daily Telegraph concerning Nazi war criminals. BR refers to the London agreement of August 1945, and comments that the "London agreement should be supported by the British government."

Pentreath writes on behalf of Albert Lodge, General Secretary of the British section of Amnesty International. Pentreath asks BR if he could intervene in the case of Helma Hinz, an East German who wishes to join her fiancée in West Germany.

Enclosed are two letters pertaining to Hinz:

Document .178367, TLS. The letter is addressed to Penreath from Hans J. Baer, who is Hinz's fiancée.
Document .178368, TLS. The letter is addressed to Penreath from Albert Lodge. Lodge asks Penreath to see if BR can intervene in the Hinz case as "Amnesty cannot tackle cases of re-uniting fiancées or family unless one is actually in prison."

Schoenman tells Penreath that the BRPF will raise the matter of Helma Hinz with the East German authorities; see record 66422.

In German with an English translation.

Nebauer asks Amnesty for assistance in having her son, Ulrich Nebauer, rejoin her in West Germany.

The handwritten English translation begins on the TLS and continues onto a separate page, document .178371, AL.

Wood informs Nebauer that the BRPF will be raising the matter of her son, Ulrich, with East German authorities; see record 66424.

Coyle asks the BRPF for help in reuniting Erika Kargus with her fiancée, who lives in West Germany.

Wood mentions that the BRPF will take up the case of Erika Kargus with the East German authorities; see record 66426.

White asks the BRPF to take up the case of Gerd Herbert, who is separated from his family in West Germany.

Schoenman tells White that the BRPF will raise the matter of Gerd Herbert with East German authorities; see record 66428.

Henschel asks BR for help in securing an exit visa for her son Peter Henschel, who has been denied permission to leave East Germany.

Schoenman tells Henschel that "we shall certainly take up the case of your son with the East German authorities"; see record 66430.

Henschel asks BR "... to continue his efforts to induce the East German authorities to send our only child to us, his parents"; see record 66431.

In German with an English translation.

Stupin alerts BR to a number of individuals who have been denied permission to leave East Germany. Those mentioned are Henry Bakes, Paul Buscl, and Gunter Klienschmidt.

The English translation is document .178380.

In German with an English translation.

Stupin mentions that BR's books, available in East German prisons, "... are 'tidied up' and provided with forewords and epilogue, so that they fit into the communist view of the world." Stupin also mentions that he has "been enlightened by the report of Mr. Bruce Faird."

The English translation is document .178382.

Hock asks for BR's help in securing an exit visa for his fiancée, who has not been permitted to leave East Germany.

Schoenman tells Hock that "we shall certainly request the East German authorities to provide your fiancée with an exit visa"; see record 66435.

Hock informs Schoenman that the East German Ministry of the Interior has informed his fiancée that "there will be no possibility to provide her an exit visa"; see record 66436.

Schoenman mentions that the BRPF "... shall continue to do all we can on behalf of your fiancée"; see record 66437.

BR tells Stupin that he is not hostile to communism, and that he will "... raise with the East German authorities the request of your friends to emigrate to West Germany"; see record 66434.

BR adds that "I support ardently individual liberty and the right of dissent."

In German with an English translation.

Zajonz asks for help from a Herr Stange in obtaining an exit visa for his fiancée, who wishes to join Zajonz in West Germany. The translation does not identify who Herr Stange is, only commenting that the letter was written "to someone else whose help he hoped to obtain."

The English translation is written on the second page of the TL(MIM), and is document .178390.

Laird works for the East European section of Amnesty International.

Laird asks the BRPF to assist in the case of Herbert Zajonz, whose fiancée has been denied permission to leave East Germany; see record 66440.

At the top of the page, in blue ink: "Ans. Show to Chris".

Stetler informs Laird that the BRPF "shall be happy to take some action on this case"; see record 66441. The case in question is that of Herbert Zajonz's fiancée.

In German with an English translation. It appears in handwriting at the foot of the letter.

Zajonz thanks the BRPF for taking on the case of his fiancée, and mentions that he is sending "a copy of the description of the case"; see record 66442.

Laird refers to the Herbert Zajonz case, and asks Farley if he "... could inform me of the situation as it stands with you, so that I can reply to him"; see record 66442.

Farley informs Laird that BR had written to Ulbricht concerning the Zajonz case; see record 66444. Farley mentions that some of the cases "... in this category have been fought for five to ten years and it is exasperating to make very little progress in most of them."

Also present is a copy of the letter, document .178396, TL(CAR).

Farley informs Zajonz that BR has written to Chairman Ulbricht concerning his fiancée; however, Farley also mentions "that it is not possible to be very optimistic"; see record 66445.

In German with an English translation, written at the foot of the letter.

Zajonz requests the latest information concerning his fiancée, who is being prevented from leaving East Germany; see record 66446. Zajonz also adds that "the Peace Foundation is the only hope that remains."

Farley informs Zajonz that BR has had no reply from Chairman Ulbricht regarding his fiancée; see record 66447.

Hock informs Schoenman that is fiancée has yet to receive an exit visa from the East German authorities, and asks Schoenman for "further support in this matter".

Farley informs Laird that he has told Zajonz that the BRPF has "... had no response whatsoever from Mr. Ulbricht concerning this case"; see record 66438.

In German with an English translation, which appears at the foot of the letter.

Gotthard and Anita Bohme ask BR to assist in securing an exit visa for their daughter, Sylvia, who is not being permitted to leave East Germany.

In German with an English translation.

Wood informs the Bohmes that BR will raise the case of their daughter, Sylvia, with the East German authorities; see record 66451. Wood asks the Bohmes to send the Foundation their daughter's present address.

In German with an English translation, document .178405.

Bohme informs Wood of their daughter's present address in East Germany; see record 66452.

A thank-you note in which Horst informs Schoenman that East German authorities have granted his fiancée an exit visa.

Wood comments that the BRPF is "... very pleased to hear that you have at last been reunited with your fiancée"; see record 66454.

Wood informs Bohme that the BRPF will "do all we can on behalf of your daughter and hope that you will be reunited soon."

In German with an English translation.

A thank-you letter in which Zajonz informs the BRPF that he has been reunited with his fiancée and son.

The English translation is a one-page AN, document .178409.

Wood mentions that the BRPF is "... delighted to know that you have been reunited with your fiancée and your son at last"; see record 66457.

The letter is written on the verso of Vietnam Solidarity Campaign letterhead, whose address is Basement Flat, 8, Roland Gardens, London, S.W.7, FRO 3138. This was the residence of Ralph Schoenman.

In German with an English translation.

Götting extends "the compliments of the season and my best wishes" on behalf of the GDR.

Written at the top of the page: "Warm thanks for Ikonen a beautiful book"; the handwriting is BR's. Also present is a one-page English translation, document .178411b, TL(TC).

Kotte Autographs GmbH offered this and 5 other letters from BR in September 2024 with this description, translated into English at https://www.abebooks.com/servlet/BookDetailsPL?bi=31894026424

6 pp. Folio up to 8vo. With printed letterheads including "Bertrand Russell Peace Foundation." Some traces of staples. To Gerald Götting, the chairman of the CDU in East Berlin. Plas Penrhyn January 27, 1962, with thanks for a book about icons. "Thank you very much indeed for sending me the book Icons. It is a beautiful book, and I have derived very great pleasure from the pictures that it contains." — The work "Ikonen" by Konrad Onasch was published in 1961 by the East Berliner Union Verlag in the series Old Russian Art Monuments.Plas Penrhyn 24.1.1963. "I am very grateful to you for your kind words and for your good wishes to me. I, too, am hopeful that a world movement against nuclear war may soon be created." — Russell founded the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament in 1958, in which he actively advocated for nuclear disarmament. Plas Penrhyn 3.1.1964, with thanks for a work on church architecture in the GDR. "My warm thanks for the beautiful book on church architecture in East Germany, and for your very kind letter." London 14.1.1965. "Thank you for your very kind letter which I received with great pleasure. I hope you will accept my best wishes for the New Year." Seller Inventory # 94934.

Four dates are given above. Kotte Autographs did not provide the other 2 letter dates. It is assumed that carbons of all are in RA. A crooked image of the letter of 14.1.1965 is provided on the site. BR's signature is all that is handwritten. 

BR thanks Götting for the copy of Ikonen, and the "kind things that you say in your letter"; see record 66459.

In German with an English translation.

Götting expresses his personal thanks and that of the GDR for BR's "firm struggle for world peace". Götting makes specific references to BR's initiatives in the Cuban Missile Crisis and the Sino-Indian boundary dispute.

Also present is a two-page English translation, document .178411e, TL(TC).

BR is "very grateful" for Götting's "kind words and wishes to me"; see record 66461.

In German.

Hindemith writes on behalf of the Standiger Kongress aller Gegner der Atomaren Aufrustung.

A 90th birthday telegram.

In German with an English translation. "Ralph" is written at the top right-hand corner of the letter.

Streller is head of the Protocol and Organization Department, Chancellory of the Council of State, GDR.

Streller informs BR that, in view of Heinz Brandt's past, it will not be possible to pardon him. Brandt is charged with "systematic espionage activities against the German Democratic Republic."

Also present is a two-page English translation, document .178414, TL(TC).

BR is "disturbed" that it is not possible to grant Heinz Brandt clemency, and asks Streller to inform his Head of State that he intends to pursue the matter. Brandt is charged with "systematic espionage activities against the German Democratic Republic."

Friedrich is a professor at the Institute for Medicine and Biology, and is also the President of the Peace Council, GDR.

BR tells Friedrich that he "... may certainly suggest my name for the award of the Carl von Ossietzky Medal."

Von Ossietzky, a political prisoner, was murdered by the Nazis.

Ulbricht is Chairman of the Council of State, GDR.

BR appeals to Ulbricht to allow the wife, daughter, and mother-in-law of W. Shaw to leave East Germany. The names of Shaw's family members are: Maria Shaw, nee Lehnert, Ingeborg Schuetze, and Martha Lehnert.

Also present are two copies of the letter, documents .178418 and .178419, both TL(CAR).

Friedrich is President of the Peace Council, GDR.

Friedrich refers to an enclosed "special paper in commemoration of Carl von Ossietzky".

The enclosed "special paper" is a eight-page PD, document .178421. The paper is titled Gedenkblatt für Carl von Ossietzky, and has a photo and reference to BR on page 4; and a quotation from his telegram accepting the von Ossietzky medal, p. 1. The quote is from BR to Friedrich, 24 April 1963, at record 2425.

BR thanks Friedrich for the "publication in commemoration of Carl von Ossietzky"; see record 66468.

Matthews is the Editor of the Daily Worker, London.

BR comments on a recent editorial in the Daily Worker that concerns political prisoners. BR mentions that he recently received the Carl von Ossietzky Medal, and asks Matthews to use his "personal influence to secure the release of Heinz Brandt".

Ulbricht is Chairman of the Council of State, GDR.

BR tells Ulbricht that he is "passionately opposed to the Cold War", and appeals to Ulbricht "on grounds of humanity" to release Heinz Brandt, who was in prison with von Ossietzky.

Also present are three copies of the letter, documents .178425, .178426, .178427, all TL(CAR).

The telegram, in German, sends congratulations on the formation of the BRPF.

The telegram, in German, mentions the BRPF.

In German with an English translation.

The letter outlines the facts surrounding the Heinz Brandt case, and mentions that the reduction of Brandt's sentence "... by act of grace is not justified because of the seriousness of the crimes committed by the prisoner."

Also present are two English translations:

Document .178429, a ten-page TL(CAR).
Document .178430, a five-page TL(CAR).

Von Nottbeck is the Minister of Justice for Lower Saxony, West Germany.

BR appeals for the "immediate release" of Gertrud Schroter and Elfriede Kautz. BR adds that "it is in Germany's interest to release these two individuals."

Also present are three copies of the letter, documents .178433, .178434, .178435, all TL(CAR).

Von Nottbeck informs BR that Gertrud Schroter and Elfriede Kautz's bid for release on probation has been turned down by the court because "... in both cases a good conduct, i.e. the respecting of the West German constitutional legislation is not to be expected for the future"; see record 66475.

BR writes to the Allgemeiner Deutscher Nachrichtendienst, Poland. He refers to an enclosed statement (see record 66478), and comments that "I should wish it to be published in its entirety."

BR's statement to the Allgemeiner Deutscher Nachrichtendienst, Poland. He comments that "... the most urgent step that the German Democratic Republic could undertake would be the release of political prisoners, in particular, Heinz Brandt."

Malter is Chairman, Komitee zum Schutze der Menschenrechte.

BR thanks Malter for his letter (not present) and insists that Malter "join me in demanding the immediate release of Heinz Brandt."

BR informs Ulbrich that he is returning the Carl von Ossietzky Medal for Peace to the government of the GDR. BR cites the imprisonment of Heinz Brandt as the reason for the return of the medal, and hopes that Ulbricht "... will yet find it possible to release Brandt through an amnesty which would be a boon to the case of peace and to your country."

Also present is a copy of the letter, document .178441, TL(CAR).

BR outlines his efforts to date in attempting to secure the release of political prisoner Heinz Brandt. BR comments that he is "abandoning private appeals" and instead urges public protest. BR mentions that he is returning the Carl von Ossietzky Medal for Peace in protest of Brandt's continued imprisonment.

Also present are various copies of the statement:

Unnumbered document, a two-page edited TS(CAR) in Farley's hand.
Document .178443, a one-page edited TS(TC) in Schoenman's hand.
Document .178444, a one-page edited TS(CAR).

BR comments on the imprisonment of Heinz Brandt calling it "an intolerable act of persecution", and states "I, for my part, cannot rest satisfied until he is a free man again."

Also present is a copy of the statement, document .178446, TS(CAR).

BR informs Thönnessen that he wishes to make a "minor correction" in his statement for the book about Heinz Brandt. BR provides the changes to the statement and requests that Thönnessen "confirm that this substitution will be possible."

The letter has been copied to Anneliese Brandt.

Malter, referring to the Heinz Brandt case, fears that BR has "not been fully or correctly informed."

Malter outlines the case against Brandt and concludes "... that the Committee for the Protection of Human Rights cannot, in the face of the above facts, regard the Heinz Brandt case as an occasion for intercession with the state council or the government of the GDR."

BR calls Malter's letter of 15 March 1964 a "disappointment"; see record 66484. BR repeats his request that Heinz Brandt be granted amnesty on "simple humanitarian grounds".

Brokelmann is the Mayor of the City of Frankfurt.

Brokelmann thanks Farley for his letter of 18 February 1964 (not present), and informs him that the City of Frankfurt is not in a position to give financial aid to the BRPF or the Atlantic Peace Foundation.

BR appeals for the release of Anna and Gerhard Gaida from prison "as a matter of clemency".

BR requests that Mr. and Mrs. H. Satter be allowed to leave East Germany.

Also present is a copy of the letter, document .178453, TL(CAR).

In German with an English translation. Reimann is First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Germany.

A thank-you letter in which Reimann praises BR for his "defence of the free activity of communists", and assures BR that the Communist Party of Germany "... will do everything in our power to prevent an atomic war of revenge being started from West German territory."

The English translation is document .178454. The translation has a rough draft of the letter found at record 66490.

Reimann is First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Germany.

A thank-you letter; see record 66489.

Major General Dickel is the Minister of the Interior, GDR.

BR appeals to Dickel on behalf of Helmut Vogel, a Lutheran clergyman who wishes to rejoin his family in West Berlin.

BR appeals for the release of Thomas Ammer, who "... has been sentenced to fifteen years hard labour in Brandenburg Prison."

Also present is a copy of the letter, document .178459, TL(CAR).

In German with an English translation.

Benjamin informs BR that Mr. and Mrs. Satter's wish to reunite with their parents in West Germany "... cannot at the moment for various reasons be granted."

The English translation is document .178460. A rough draft of the letter found at record 66494 is handwritten at the top of the translation.

BR responds to Benjamin's letter of 7 August 1964; see record 66493. BR understands that there are difficulties in granting the Satters exit visas; however, BR tells Benjamin that he would be "immensely grateful" if they could leave East Germany "in the near future".

Written at the top of the page: "Keep this down and return other carbon".

BR appeals to Benjamin to assist in providing Paul Ptacek with a travel document. Ptacek is described by BR as a "stateless person".

In German with an English translation.

Thieme is Vogel's brother-in-law. Vogel informs Thieme of the difficulties he is encountering in obtaining an exit visa from East Germany.

The English translation is document .178464.

Barnes will travel by train to meet BR and will hope for a car to meet him at Reno at 3:45 am on August 7. He describes the faculty at his Foundation.

Barnes wants BR to prepare a statement on the CCNY case.

Following the original letter are two TL(CAR) copies made by Patricia Russell.

The property description describes the "dream farm" mentioned in the letter.

Barnes defends his selection of a "dream house". He asks BR to supply words that couldn't be read in his course prospectus.