310
DOCS.
317,
318
MARCH
1917
Assuming
that
the
correctness of
the
general theory
of
relativity
were
estab-
lished,
the
A-problem
could be decided
through
observation of
the
spectral
lines
of
remote stars. For
if
A
=
0,
the
average
stellar
density
would
suffice
to
pro-
duce
a
difference in
potential
between
us
and distant
stars,
which would
entail
a
substantial
violet
effect.
318. From
Max
von
Laue
[Frankfurt-on-Main,]
24
March
1917
Dear
Einstein,
Well,
it
has
happened! My revolutionary
views
about
wave
optics are
in
print and,
no
doubt, at
this
very
moment
are
arousing
utmost
disgust
in
every
peace-loving
physicist.[1]
Nonetheless,
I
stand
by my reprehensible position and,
in
corroboration
of
it,
have
written
a
long
letter
to
Planck
today
with the
request
that
he show
it
to
you.
Hence I should not have had to write to
you
at
all,
had
I
not
forgotten
a
point
of
some
importance.
Instead
of
writing
to
Planck
again
tomorrow,
I
am
sending you
this
with
the
request
that
you
make
it
available to
Planck.
But
first read
my
letter
to Planck.
Exner,
whom
I
cite in
my paper
in
the Berliner
Berichte,[2]
had
accurately
observed
the
filaments in
the
diffraction
phenomena
in
question
of white
light,
but
only
a
pointlike
granulation
for
narrow
spectral
lines.
Presently
I
can
only
confirm
his observations.
It
should
actually
have
struck
him,
though,
that
these filaments
are
completely white,
and
not
colored in the least. For
if they
are
explained
as
monochromatic
light
from
granulation, according
to
the old
optics
(the
theorem
that the
diffraction pattern is proportional
in all dimensions
to
the
wavelength),
they
can
be
expected
to
be blue in color inside and red outside.
Now,
I
do
not
know: Was
Exner absentminded
enough
not to
notice this
or,
on
the
contrary,
is
there hidden
behind his
complete
silence
on
this
point
the
profound knowledge
of
the
impossibility
of
making any
rational
conjectures
at
all
in
1879?
For
me,
in
any case,
this
is
a new
and
very compelling proof against
the
classical
theory.[3]
With
cordial
regards, yours,
M.
von
Laue.
N.
B. Do
you
know,
perhaps,
which Exner
this
is?
Does he
possibly
still live in
Vienna?[4]
You
are
familiar
with the Austrian situation
since
Prague,
aren’t
you.
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