2 7 6 D O C U M E N T 1 5 6 S E P T E M B E R 1 9 2 0
necessary, I can have my former wife resettle in Germany with the children; this
has been avoided up to
now.[5]
Lately, I had to tolerate various types of animosity, mainly from
newspapers.[6]
This is not regrettable, though, for it is an opportunity to distinguish my true friends
from the unreliable ones. The strange thing is that, these days, every value judg-
ment is made from a political point of
view.[7]
The [Society of German Scientists and Physicians] conference had nothing new
to offer of substantial
importance,[8]
but it did show that a very lively interest in
pure science has remained, despite the war and the economic crisis. In other re-
spects, many things have changed, of course. All these experiences have made
minds that are so malleable that a prominent statesman could achieve great things;
I am thinking of a union of European
states.[9]
It is a misfortune that now there is
no farsighted, broad-minded leader at the top in France or England, who envisions
more than his fatherland’s limited, momentary material
interests.[10]
For the next fortnight I shall be here in southern Germany together with my
boys, a rare treat that has been filling me with joy for a long time now. Then I am
coming to Holland, in order to deliver the inaugural lecture. I am very ashamed
when I think of how much work you and Kamerlingh Onnes have done for my
sake;[11]
but I give way to the happy hope that the memory of it cannot disturb your
affectionate attitude toward me.
In the hope of finding you and your
wife[12]
happy and healthy and being able to
chat with you for an hour on physics matters (also about your allusions to
Eddington’s
book),[13]
I am, with cordial greetings, yours very truly,
A. Einstein.
156. From Eduard Hartmann[1]
Fulda, 26 September 1920
Highly esteemed Professor,
A meeting of the Görres Society is taking place at the beginning of the month of
October. I have taken on a talk about the theory of rel. for the Natural Sciences Sec-
tion, in which I intend to describe its high importance and its brilliant confirmation
by
experiment.[2]
In order to be equipped for all arguments—the talk is being at-
tended by a number of physicists and mathematicians—I ask you please to solve
for me the following problem in a few words.
It involves the braking train carriage. According to the theory of rel., I have the
right to use the carriage as an object of reference. Before the braking, I establish a