1 0 8 V O L U M E 8 , D O C U M E N T 3 6 4 c
[1]In early July, speculation was rife on the timing and consequences of the resignation of the Ger-
man Chancellor, Theobald von Bethmann Hollweg, which occurred on 13 July. In anticipation of this
event, the Frankfurter Zeitung cited the journal Germania in announcing that the Reichstag would
reconvene after the formation of a new government, whose leader, it predicted, would support the par-
liamentary peace initiative, “of which as we know from a well-informed source, the Kaiser approves”
(“der, wie wir aus bester Quelle wissen, der Kaiser zustimmt”; Frankfurter Zeitung, 14 July 1917, 2nd
Morning Edition). Subsequent articles of 15 and 20 July in the same newspaper deal in a positive man-
ner with the new government’s commitment to the peace initiative and to electoral reform in Prussia.
On 19 July, a coalition of Reichstag representatives from the Social Democratic Party, the left wing of
the National Liberal Party, and the Catholic Center Party passed a resolution calling for German renun-
ciation of all territorial acquisitions by force (see Steglich 1964, pp. 107–108).
[2]Heinrich Zangger had been treating Einstein for his gastric problems in Zurich prior to Ein-
stein’s vacation at his sister Maja’s house in Lucerne (see Vol. 8, Doc. 361d, in the present volume).
[3]Zangger had prescribed local heat application as part of his treatment (see Vol. 8, Doc. 361b, in
the present volume).
[4]Elsa Einstein may have considered subletting Einstein’s apartment on Wittelsbacherstrasse, as
he was planning to move to Haberlandstrasse (see Vol. 8, Doc. 364a, in the present volume).
[5]The aircraft firm, Luft-Verkehrs-Gesellschaft, was compensating Einstein for his design of an
airfoil (see Vol. 8, Doc. 364a, in the present volume).
[6]Einstein-Maric; ’s financial plight was particularly pressing (see Vol. 8, Doc. 364a, in the present
volume). The second money transfer presumably involved Einstein’s half of the Baumgartner Prize
(see Vol. 8, Doc. 350a, in the present volume).
[7]For Einstein’s complaints about Zangger’s handwriting, see Einstein to Heinrich Zangger,
17 May 1915 (Vol. 8, Doc. 84).
[8]For the plan to meet in southern Württemberg, see Vol. 8, Doc. 359d, in the present volume.
[9]Elsa Einstein’s mother, Fanny, and older daughter, Ilse, were planning a trip (see Vol. 8,
Doc. 369a, in the present volume).
[10]Einstein had previously complained about Mileva’s influence on Hans Albert and the resulting
tensions between them (see Vol. 8, Doc. 361c, in the present volume).
Vol. 8, 364c. To Elsa Einstein
[Lucerne,] Donnerstag. [26 July 1917]
Liebe Else!
Ich schreib doch unausgesetzt, und Du jammerst über Vernachlässigung! Die
Post geht eben unregelmässig. Zangger hat genau dieselbe Diagnose gestellt wie
Rosenheim, also nicht schimpfen
(Zwölffingerdarm)![1]
Tarasp käme nur nach
vollkommen ausgeheiltem Bauch zur Stärkung in
Betracht.[2]
Es ist ziemlich si-
cher, dass ich nicht hingehe; also nur keine Angst. Wenn ich wieder über die Gren-
ze komme, z. B. Ende August, treffen wir uns in
Ensingen.[3]
Du musst auch einmal
ein Vergnügen haben. Nur nicht immer für die Zukunft sorgen! Besser den Spatz
im Sack als die Taube auf dem Dach! Briefe brauchst Du mir nicht senden. Sie ka-
men zurück, weil die Zensur so umfangreiche Prüfungen nicht
vornimmt.[4]
Bloch[5]
macht sich umsonst Illusionen wegen des Instituts. Ich habe niemand an-
zustellen und möchte ihn auch offen gestanden nicht haben. Ich wusste schon, wer
damals alles in der Sitzung war, vergass es aber
wieder.[6]
Ich will nicht, dass