3 1 2 D O C U M E N T S 2 0 4 , 2 0 5 N O V E M B E R 1 9 2 0
I must inform you that I have received an identical invitation by another North
American university, to which I have conveyed a similar
proposal.[3]
From the letter by our colleague Mr. Eisenhart I perceive with great pleasure
how great is the interest in relativity theory at your university, so I enthusiastically
look forward to scientific interaction with local colleagues and students there.
In utmost respect,
204. To Hugo Lieber[1]
Berlin, W 30, 5 Haberland St., 14 November 1920
Esteemed Doctor Lieber,
After arriving home, I reviewed my earlier correspondence with Princeton Uni-
versity. Thereby I became convinced that following the foregoing exchanges I am
obligated to negotiate with that university
myself,[2]
especially considering that it
had not availed itself of any mediating person either.
In thanking you cordially for your kind willingness to negotiate for me in Amer-
ica, I thus ask you please not to take any steps for the time being, until that corre-
spondence with Princeton has been settled.
It goes against my grain to prompt invitations directly or indirectly to any uni-
versity myself. If the two universities that have directly invited me do not come to
an agreement, then I would temporarily have to abandon the trip to America. The
initiative must not come from me.
In any event, I thank you heartily for your readiness to support me and I am
pleased to have made the acquaintance of a person who offers his energy and expe-
rience in such a selfless way for the healthy recovery of international, and especial-
ly also of German research efforts. In begging you not to hold me to blame for
taking, upon closer inspection of the situation, a somewhat changed stance from
that of our discussion today, I am very respectfully yours,
205. To [Minna Cauer][1]
[Berlin,] 19 November 1920
Esteemed Madam,
Your letter really heartened
me,[2]
because it comes from a person whose genu-
ine sentiment I could thoroughly sense in the few minutes of our passing acquain-
tance. In thanks I warmly shake your hand. I know very well, though, that as a