The letter from Esperanza, with a copy to Mr. Walter O'kroere (O'Rourke) drew a demand for Henry to leave the compound immediately. The meeting was led by Grandizo Muniz, a Spaniard, and Otto Schuessler, a German. Esperanza had been looked on with suspicion since the beginning of her relationship with Henry. Though Trotsky was dead, the fight between Trotskyists and Stalinists in Mexico was still heated and very public. The Stalinists were many and well-financed. The Trotskyists were centered at the compound and its prominent visitors, like Victor Serge. A condition Cardenas made to allow Trotsky refuge was there be no political interference in the domestic affairs of Mexico. Stalin had killed nearly everyone in Natalia Trotsky's family. The mission was to protect her, to not endanger her exile status, to not rile up the Stalinist army with unnecessary fights. On Dec 18 Henry got into a fight almost becoming physical with Walter over the question could Esperanza visit the compound when Natalia is in Cuernavaca. Muniz settled that, seemingly in Henry's favor, but it never happened. She did visit at least once, according to Henry's notes, but it must have not been announced. For an alternative Henry fixed up a room, almost surely at Franz Pfemfert's studio, brought in a cot, other simple furnishing and decor, and called it "home". Henry sees that fight and the subsequent meeting over it now having a conclusion. For 18 months he was not allowed to bring Esperanza home, even on the rare occasions when Natalia was gone, and now he himself has to leave.

Henry travels for 3 days to nearby locations, possibly to give time for his exit papers to be produced, or maybe just to give the lab time to develop his photos, then leaves Mexico by bus on Feb 1. He notes that Natalia went with him to the bus station. He is forced to surrender many negatives at the border. He goes to Chicago, gets a job in the shipyard, and registers for the draft. His Mexican odyssey ended - Trotsky dead, Esperanza writing the letter that had him thrown out, the Socialist party enforcing the action - he would soon be in the army and sent to war.

Can keep me 2 1/2 years as dishwasher without vacation.

Can throw me out of house and into army

Is an important event - turning point

since 1934 have sacrificed person to party

now party personified in 2 people Otto and Muniz

choice - sacrifice more or sacrifice party

Will I support being thrown out of country by you?

2 1/2 years when decisions were made I wasn't in on anything but conclusions

superabundance of adrenalin -

justice - accept orders from superiors

suitcase, "home", pictures in Ansco, my 3 day film, 2 days bus, shoes and pants

phone when bus leaves telegram to my folks