458
DOCS.
451,
452
JANUARY
1918
It
is
evident
that
Eötvös would entrust
the
directorship
of the Institute
to
Prof.
Krüger.
I
must add
the
remark
that
in
my inquiry
I
had
named Wiechert
and Schumann
as
first
choices.[2]
The
recommendation
of
Krüger
against
Wiechert
and
Schumann
is
underscored
even
more
in
that, at
over
80
years
of
age,
Eötvös
recommends
assigning
the
management
to
a
younger
employee.[3]
Furthermore,
it
is
very conspicuous
that
he does not
name
Mr. Kohlschüt-
ter,[4]
despite my having
asked him
to
take him into consideration.
Finally,
the
praise
he lavishes
on
Mr.
Schweydar’s
achievements
is
notable.
I
can
add that
I
also have
a very
favorable
impression
of
this
man’s work.
He
is
an
authority
mainly on geophysical
issues.
It
is
unmistakable
that, of all of
them, Eötvös discusses
him with
the
greatest
warmth.
Certainly
it would be
advantageous
if
Schweydar
could be made
independent
in
some
way
so
that
his
initiative
could make itself
felt;
otherwise
there
is
a
danger
that
geophysics
would
be stifled
by
a
“strictly geodete”
director.[5]
Not
every
director
has such
broad
horizons
as
Helmert![6]
It
must be
pointed
out
that there
is
no one
at
the
Academy comparable
to
Eötvös to whom
we
could
turn
for
the
relevant
expertise.
With
all due
respect,
A.
Einstein.
452. From
Cornelia
and
Gunnar
Nordstrom
Leyden,
31 January 1918
Dear Prof.
Einstein,
Heartfelt thanks
for
your
kind
postcard. How
sorry
we are
that
your
health
is
still
not
good.[1]
It
is
very
kind
of
you
to want to
take the
trouble
to
make
our
trip
possible.[2]
Unfortunately,
I
must
now
tell
you
that
it
is
very questionable
when
we can
travel.
The situation
in
Finland
has
deteriorated
dramatically
very
recently.[3]
The
day
before
yesterday
we
spoke
with
the
Finnish
delegate (who
had announced
the
independence
of
the
country
to
the
Dutch
government),
and
he
strongly
advised
us
not
to
travel
now.
It
is
therefore
very possible
that
we can
leave
only
in
the
summer,
perhaps
not
even
before August.-Thank
you very
much
indeed,
though,
for
your
readiness
to
help.
Warm
greetings
from
both
of
us
and from Ehrenfest.
Yours,
Nel
and
Gunnar
Nordstrom.