I N T R O D U C T I O N T O V O L U M E 1 6 x l i x the lectures on offer. In his introductory statement to his address, Einstein wel- comed the educational opportunities provided by the university conferences and advocated their role in advancing “work, education, and hygiene.” He was also drawn to the project’s important role in fostering international contacts and net- works (Doc. 157). A few months later, he similarly expressed his support for the Lessing Hochschule in Berlin, a continuing education institute accessible to a wider public (Doc. 243). Einstein’s involvement in pacifist endeavors intensified. In December 1927, he encouraged an initiative to gather half a million signatures against military service, stating that he was in favor of the idea of “an organized antiwar army” (Doc. 106). Asked by a Berlin weekly for his New Year’s wishes for 1928, Einstein advocated a drastic reduction in the Reichswehr’s budget (Doc. 109). The following month, he commented to the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom on the occasion of its conference on chemical warfare that he did not believe one could set rules and limitations for war. Yet he also pledged his support for the absolute refusal to perform military service (Doc. 122). An additional statement for the League reiterated Einstein’s opposition to warfare, opining that every killing of hu- mans was “common murder, even if the state does it on a grand scale” (Doc. 343). At a time when he was discouraged by other political developments, he was clearly inspired by the burgeoning peace movement. In November 1928, he stated that the international efforts toward the refusal of any war activity was “one of the most comforting phenomena of our time” (Doc. 321). As in the previous year, Einstein declared that for 1929 he desired to see disarmament on land and sea (Doc. 337). February 1929 saw the very first known instance of a censored statement by Einstein. His public proclamation that he would definitely refuse direct or indirect military service and try to convince his friends to do the same was suppressed by the Czech authorities by blanking out the offending text (Doc. 410). From time to time Einstein would be asked to take a stance on the policies of foreign governments. He remained highly critical of the Soviet Union and ex- pressed his opposition to the “slavery” he felt prevailed within its borders. He maintained that he never believed Soviet methods would stimulate the economy or allow the people to flourish. Nevertheless, he also deemed outside interference to be unhelpful (Doc. 36). On the fifth anniversary of Lenin’s death in January 1929, Einstein expressed admiration for the Soviet leader’s engagement in behalf of social justice, but further stressed his lack of support for the methods used to attain it (Doc. 360). In the spring of 1929, he advocated granting political asylum to Leon Trotsky in Germany (Doc. 443). Asked by the Communist-affiliated Rote Hilfe to