New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1921-07-31
Einstein Denies That lie Called
Americans Mentally Inferior
Professor Repudiates Interview in Dutch Newspaper
and Declares Admiration for Spirit and Friend
illness in q. S.; Compares With Germany

but to every person capable of reason
ing who possesses the necessary pre-
liminary knowledge and takes some
trouble to study it.
although it may be true that the
American public is less learned than
the German, have, on the other hand,
learned of the enthusiasm, the energy
and readiness of bringing sacrifice
with which an idea recognized as good
is received in large circles of the peo-
pie"
When in the conversation the word
zionism happened to be mentioned
Professor Einstein quickly remarked:
IF think of the fervor with which
in America both jews and Christians
have taken it up and supported it, how
high-placed officials and politicians
through public speeches served the
cause, l am filled with admiration and
gratitude for the unprejudiced and
youthfully fresh people, and l cannot
deny that deep sadness steals upon me
Il | compare all this with our own con-
ditions.
of I thus take a bird's-eye view of
all the impressions l had in America
and compare them with those of my
previous life | am struck by the plain
mradeship and harmless, sociable
nature of the Americans, who are free
That makes daily life simpler and more
cheerful
81 took delight in the American
students The universities in many
cases are boarding schools. They offer
comradeship between students and
professors, a picture of joyful har-
mony. With US there is probably found
more individual thinking, but with the
Americans there is more primitive
vigor, and with all their interest in po-
htical matters there is a sober, toler-
ant treatment OF political questions.
What also impressed me much in
the Americans was that their patriot
ism is not manifested Extensively. hut
from WORKOUT skepticism and artifce
rather internally, thus proving char
acter and practical congeniality of
feeling.
Each American feels himself CO.
responsible with ali others fcr what ia
going on in his country.
"That the researches IN Dhvsical
science IN America are about to get
the leadership in many domains is due
not only to the riches of the countrvs
Tut also to the circumstance that the
j rich American is permeated with the
conviction that he owes much 10 the
commonwealth: This sentiment, which
IS kept awake through powerful public
opinion, brings it to pass that for
public ends there are always means at
disposal without the state needing 10
care about them"
Professor Einstein declared that
these statements were sufficient to cor
rect Tor the time bes7o the lnislead;no
impression originated BY the n,osas
article of the Nieuwe Rotterdamsche
Nourant, because / considered it q
batter OF course, duty to ray Ameri-
can trends, to prevent false 4hlnos
being said about them in public under
my name. But beyond ia. 7 ara olso
very DESTROYS of emphasizing the fact
tnat IN America as we'll as IN E,.r'ana
l have found with intellectual workers
that sociable and fraternal spirit thar
viii bring about again the beneficent
ana happy cooperation of tn. civilized
peoples"
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