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Vienna, June 28, 1914
IX., Berggasse 19
Dear friend,
I am writing under the impression of the surprising murder in Sarajevo,1 the consequences of which cannot be foreseen. It appears to me that personal involvement here is slight.
Now, to our affairs! I think you are too strict with Jones. There was, for instance, still no cause to distinguish between ego libido and object libido, and besides, the paper is meant for a specific audience. I have to concede to you only that he repeatedly says introversion2 when he means regression. One could also hold that against him. The important thing, the remarks as to how one neurosis can cover another or something severe, are just as new as they are important. If my memory serves me correctly, they come from an “unknown author,”3 who also told him about the cases in question. But you shouldn't hold that against him, either in print or by word of mouth.
I think you are right in your supposition that your manuscript4 means something special. This is an experiment which promises much and is in urgent demand. I have been tormenting myself for a good ten years with these problems, but in the absence of reliable observation I haven't taken them up seriously. Now, the observation of climacterics has given you this base of support. I have much to advise and to suggest on the subject, but I can't do it in writing. I am, quite honestly, inwardly much too tired, although to all appearances I have been holding up very well these last few weeks. I think you should come to Vienna once more before I leave, just because we will see each other later this year. We will discuss it then, and I will keep your draft for that reason.
This year I gave up the “evening on the Konstantinhügel”5 on the advice of friends, so you can choose your day at your discretion.
Nothing has been felt in the way of reaction to the bomb, outside of Vienna, naturally. There are a few here who are enthusiastic; one hears more and more clearly from the others that it is too harsh