6 0 D O C U M E N T S 7 2 , 7 3 M A R C H 1 9 2 1
the Solvay
conference.[4]
I feel deeply sorry about it but a person can’t do every-
thing and I really believe that my presence in America can facilitate the tapping of
dollar owners. I see you frowning very crossly, but in any case—I can’t change any-
thing anymore now. For it, I dispensed with my own dollar
trip.[5]
I am only going
to deliver a few lectures there at one university, if it is desired, in order to demon-
strate my goodwill. Then I’ll come to Leyden in the subsequent semester and shall
lecture as you
suggested.[6]
A good idea occurred to me about relativity. One can,
like Weyl, assign physical meaning just to the relative value of the ’s (i.e., to
the light cone ), without therefore having to resort to the characteristic -
metric with the nonintegratable changes in the distances or measuring rods. The
mathematical apparatus is, relatively speaking, quite simple. Whether the business
is physically valid will be determinable in a relatively short time. I’ll send you the
preliminary paper
then.[7]
Cordial regards to all of you from your
Einstein.
72. To Romain Rolland
[Berlin,] 1 March 1921
Esteemed Master,
Accept my hearty thanks for the forwarded latest work with the kind
dedication.[1]
I shall have good occasion now to become engrossed in it on a trip to
America by sea.
In hope of seeing your kind face once again, I send cordial regards, yours,
A. Einstein.
73. From Erich Marx[1]
Berlin W15, 8 Sächsische Street, 2 March 1921
Highly esteemed Professor,
As you are already aware, the Zionist world organization—more precisely, both
our London headquarters as well as our American national organization—and we
ourselves view with the greatest gratitude the value of your participation in the
negotiations for the founding of the Jewish University in Jerusalem, which are tak-
ing place at the end of this month in New
York.[2]
The gentlemen in New York in
particular repeatedly informed us that your collaboration alone will promote this
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