D O C U M E N T S 2 4 8 , 2 4 9 M A Y 1 9 2 4 2 4 5
248. To Elsa Einstein
[Kiel,] 15 May 1924
Dear Else,
You do indeed put me to shame with writing. But it suits you more than me, as
I have a clumsy tongue and pen. The matter with
Ilse[1]
does indeed seem to be
quite serious; if it really is tuberculosis, then she’ll scarcely be able to escape her
streak of tough luck. How was it established? Through systematic temperature tak-
ing? You’re right about the Zionists. I’m not signing. If I’m constantly involved ev-
erywhere, I won’t be taken seriously at all anymore. Telephone them in this vein.
I’ll write to Doktorowicz that he should form the committee
himself.[2]
Because I
don’t agree with him on the main issue. If he manages to do it, then fine; but I don’t
want to scorch my hands anymore. My conviction is that it should be treated as an
Eastern Jewish issue. Now it’s splendid springtime here, too. Today I already went
sailing with
Anschütz[3]
in a stiff wind. We’re living very harmoniously together
over here. I’m working less than last time: why else did I decline to go to
Naples?[4]
In Zurich they finally want to buy the house
now.[5]
They have a lot of courage, per-
haps too much with their small capital. But I did give my approval. I’ll even get
thoroughly sick again if you find it so appealing, or else be an obedient fellow in a
healthy condition. But that’s far more difficult. Send me Doktorowicz’s address so
that I can write him, or write him directly yourself, conveying what I said above,
just a little more sweetly. Haven’t you heard at all from
Flexner?[6]
Warm regards also to the children and parents from your
Albert.
249. To Heinrich Zangger
Kiel, 15 May 1924
Dear Zangger,
Thank you for the careful itemization regarding the
house.[1]
I already informed
Mileva a few days ago that I consent to the
purchase.[2]
My only reservation is that
this enterprise could exceed our, that is, the family’s capital resources. If a shortage
of capital also arises in Switzerland and the mortgages are called in, then a difficult
situation could emerge. But I think it can be risked. You are surely informed about
the investment of the family’s money in
America.[3]
Part of it can be made liquid
there, if that should turn out to be necessary, without having much to lose; it just
takes some time for such an instruction to be carried out and for the money to get
there (to Zurich).—