Einstein Addresses U.S. Parley on Israel Higher Learning; Donates His Manuscript

The first national conference of the American Committee for the Hebrew University, Weizmann Institute of Science and the Haifa Technion opened here today with an appeal by Professor Albert Einstein calling on American Jewry to support the three institutions of highor learning in Israel. Dr. Einstein announced that he is donating the original manuscript of his new generalized theory of gravitation to the Hebrew University on the occasion of its 25th anniversary.

The conference is being attended by 250 Jewish community leaders from all parts of the United States and Canada. Dr. Einstein, who is president of the American Committee for the U.I.T., expressed the hope that widespread recognition would be accorded to the fact that the provision of a solid financial foundation for Israel Institutions of higher learning “is an important and noble task for the entire Jewish people.” (At the time the Bulletin went to press, Prof. Einstein had not yet concluded his speech. More high points of his address will appear in tomorrow’s issue.)

The Jewish leaders who assembled here to discuss the mobilization of maximum American support for higher learning and science in Israel, unanimously adopted a resolution declaring that “the peace and welfare of a large and important portion of the world depend upon the prosperity of Israel,” and that “Israel’s economic and political future depends upon the full development and use of the resources of the mind.” The resolution pledged “full support to Israel’s three great institutions of higher learning, science and technology,” and to “the $5,500,000 campaign goal which has been set for the U.I.T. in the United States and Canada.”

Israel Ambassador Eliahu Elath, addressing the parley, paid high tribute to Prof. Einstein and extended to him greetings from the Israel Government and people. The Ambassador emphasized that the three institutions will play a major role in promoting the welfare and the progress not only of Israel but of all the countries in the Middle East.

FIVE-POINT PROGRAM SET FORTH BY THE CONFERENCE; 40 GOVERNORS SEND GREETINGS

A five-point program for the U.I.T. was set forth at the conference by Dewey D. Stone, chairman of the board of directors. The program provides for: 1, Immediate growth of the University’s Department of Education in order to relieve Israel’s serious shortage of teachers; 2, Intensification of the Institute’s program of biological research into the causes and treatment of cancer; 3. Expansion of Technion’s training of asrounautical, transport, industrial and hydrotechnical engineers; 4. Increased efforts in the development of nylon-like plastic materials from the seed of the castor plant; 5, Greater concentration on the reclamation of Israel’s wasteland areas.

Ways and means of achieving the $5,500,000 goal for 1950 were discussed by the conferees after introductory remarks by Meyer W. Weisgal, chairman of the exocutive council of the Weizmann Institute, and H. Salpeter, executive vice-president of the U.I.T. Mr. Weisgal predicted that the character of Israel would depend in large measure on the achievements of the three institutions. “The Jewish state,” he said, “will survive and flower again if we dedicate ourselves anew to the long and honorable tradition of Jewish learning and the pursuit of truth.”

Dr. Einstein announced that governors of 40 states had sent messages of congratuiations to the Hebrew University on its 25th anniversary celebration. A message from President Chaim Weizmann of Israel was read at the session. President Weizmann expressed the hope that the Near East would soon see “the establishment of a belt of flourishing countries, stretching from the Mediterranean to the Indian Ocean, where the people of Israel and of the Arab countries will cooperate in harmony.”