Sitting quietly in his stateroom in which the aroma of the flowers sent him by admirers is still perceptible, Professor Albert Einstein, noted scientist, took a sort of recess from his mathematical labors today to give the Jewish Telegraphic Agency’s representative his views on the outcropping of anti-Semitism in Germany.
“As a result of the economic depression, German anti-Semitism has assumed a violent form,” he said between puffs on his pipe. Professor Einstein, who has himself been subjected to anti-Semitic gibes, one as recent as the eve of his departure, pointed out that anti-Semitism “is always in evidence. In normal times, however, it is confined to well-established limits.”
Sentimentally fondling the oyster shell engraved with the Shield of David given him by an anonymous admirer before his departure for the United States, the father of the theory of relativity with a serious mien declared “the present anti-Semitism in Germany is serious. When economic conditions improve anti-Semitism will assume milder forms.”
Venturing into the realm of prophecy he said that “when economic conditions in the United States become like those in Germany then you can expect sharp forms of anti-Semitism in America too,” and added that “anti-Semitism exists in the United States anyway.”
Professor Einstein appears to be enjoying his trip thus far. Last night and this morning he took his meals in the main dining room with all the other passengers who seem disposed to grant his pleas for privacy. His only diversion is an occasional stroll on the deck in the company of his daughter, his research aid, Dr. Walter Mayer, and Frau Einstein.
Most of his time is being spent in the seclusion of his cabin where he is deeply immersed in work. Members of the crew are keeping a close watch on his cabin to prevent any enterprising newspaper men or photographers from invading the savant’s ocean-going sanctum. Passengers of a speculative bent pass the door of Einstein’s stateroom with baited breath and some of them have been heard to wonder about what new scientific contribution he is working on is.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
