D O C U M E N T S 1 3 4 , 1 3 5 O C T O B E R 1 9 1 9 1 9 5
Disagreements over this matter continued in the following months. In December 1919, in the Prussian
State Assembly, the Social Democratic representative Twardy advocated linking the Geodetic Insti-
tute with the State Surveyor’s Office (Büro der Landesaufnahme) to be centralized in the Ministry of
the Interior, and his proposal was adopted (see Sitzungsberichte 1921, pp. 7544–7547, 7961). In Feb-
ruary 1920, Erwin Freundlich wrote that the military had been trying to bring the Geodetic Institute
under its control since 1917, and that representative Twardy and the institute’s director Louis Krüger
currently supported this, but the Prussian Ministry of Education opposed it. The following month,
Hugo A. Krüss, of the Ministry of Education, wrote to General Major Weidner arguing that the Geo-
detic Institute, as a scholarly institution, must retain its independence. A few months later, Max
Planck and three other scientists, in their annual report of the Geodetic Institute, similarly defended
its independence as an academic and scientific institution (see GyBSa, 1. HA, Rep. 76 Vc, Sekt. 1,
Tit. 11, Teil 2, Nr. 5, Bd. 20, Bl. 115, 117, 23).
[5]This paragraph is a paraphrase of information provided by Wilhelm Schweydar, who asked that
it be forwarded to the Ministry of Education. One of the enclosed letters is probably the nonextant
attachment to Schweydar’s letter (see Doc. 130).
134. To Paul Ehrenfest
[Berlin,] 15. X. [1919]
Lieber Ehrenfest!
Alles in Ordnung. Samstag Früh 7 Uhr fahre ich von hier ab und sollte noch am
selben Tage bei Dir ankommen, also wenigstens so Gott will am
Samstag.[1]
Besten Dank für die vielen
Bemühungen![2]
Auf frohes Wiedersehen Dein
Einstein.
Ich hätte Eddington natürlich sehr gerne
gesehen.[3]
Aber wer weiss, ob was aus
der Reise würde, wenn ich sie noch einmal aufschübe Auch würde es bedenklich
wegen der Kälte in den ungeheizten Zügen.
AKS. [9 443]. The verso is addressed “Herrn Prof. Dr. P. Ehrenfest Witte Roozen Str. Leiden (Hol-
land),” with return address “Abs. A. Einstein Haberlandstr. 5 Berlin,” and postmarked “Berlin W 30
15.10.19 5–6N[achmittags].” Einstein added “D[urch] Eilboten” on top of the verso.
[1]18 October.
[2]Four days earlier Einstein had still not received his visa. He sent Ehrenfest a telegram, urging
that his application be expedited (see entry of 11 October 1919 in Calendar).
[3]Eddington informed Ehrenfest that he was unable to come to Leyden at the designated time (see
Arthur S. Eddington to Paul Ehrenfest, 8 October 1919, NeLR, Ehrenfest Archives, Scientific Corre-
spondence, ESC:3, 221).
135. To Mileva Einstein-Maric ;
[Berlin,] 15. X. 19
Liebe Mileva!
Die Valuta-Verhältnisse sind nun derart schwierig[er] geworden (5M =
1Fr),[1]
dass es mir unmöglich wird, Euch in Zürich zu ernähren. Die 8000 fr welche ich